In an exciting announcement made at the PC Gaming Show today, Gentleman Rat, the developer, and publisher tinyBuild, introduced their upcoming indie game, “Critter Cove”. This relaxing life simulation game set on a tranquil tropical island town invites players on a unique journey of exploration, crafting, and community building.
Set to release on Steam Early Access in 2023’s fourth quarter, “Critter Cove” brings a unique and cosy life simulation experience, combined with elements of town management, resulting in a beautiful adventure both above and below the waves. With a delightful cast of characters, players will work to restore the island to its former glory and create their own paradise while unearthing hidden treasures to elevate Critter Cove’s status on the map.
This sun-soaked game presents a tropical open-world setting dotted with islands waiting to be explored. Players can dive into sunken cities in search of rare resources, discover relics to fill the growing museum, and craft items that further enhance their world exploration capabilities. Additionally, the submerged ruins and wrecks are brimming with treasures waiting to be donated to Critter Cove’s museum.

With a range of interactive features, Critter Cove presents players with the chance to fully customise their town and ship, unlocking new exploration possibilities and enticing new vendors to move into the cove. Fishing, swimming, crafting, building, and resource gathering elements contribute to this cosy, relaxing adventure.

The team behind Critter Cove is Gentleman Rat, a small, passionate, three-person indie game studio established in 2014. The studio comprises brothers Eli and Jason Holding and artist Christine Chugon. While they’ve previously released mobile titles Peggoo Pop and Blocktagon, Critter Cove marks a new and ambitious project for the team.

“We can’t wait for players to dive into the world of Critter Cove!” said Jason Holding, lead programmer at Gentlemen Rat. “Whether you’re an adventure-seeker or someone who enjoys a relaxed pace, you’ll feel a real sense of community building up the town with our cast of critters. Critter Cove isn’t just about the town, though – we want players to always have one eye on the horizon; the next discovery, the next settler or treasure map!”


Critter Cove is set to launch on PlayStation and Xbox platforms in 2024 after its early access release on PC. Critter Cove is available to wishlist now on Steam.
As we eagerly await the official launch of this charming life sim, we’d love to hear your thoughts. What aspect of Critter Cove are you most excited about? The town customisation, the hidden treasures, or the chance to craft your paradise? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on the Gaming.Buzz Community Discord. Let’s get the discussion sailing!