沉睡的法则 Things as They Are (2019)

Developer: 四块二茶会
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Adventure, Indie, RPG
Rating: 4.9 of 5, 1,169 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 46 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

This feels like a leisurely, whimsical stroll through a small town and its oddities, where the main tension is a gentle, humorous mystery rather than any sense of urgency or danger.

cozyrelaxedwhimsicalleisurelylightheartedslow-pacedcharmingslice-of-life

What players say

Players praise the story, world-building, and generous content for the low price, calling it one of their favorite games. However, the combat system draws sharp criticism for tedious, unfair fights even on easy mode, with a glowing jellyfish enemy seen as the breaking point. Players also note that NPCs are reduced to repetitive joke tropes like a single food obsession.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.