One of the independent games that attracted my attention right away was Paleo Pines. Paleo Pines combines a lot of the things that we cosy gamers love, from its farming that is akin to Stardew Valley, its endearing townspeople, and its plain adorable dinosaurs, to create an engaging experience. The developer, Italic Pig, has chosen to make it available for a brief playable trial with Steam Next Fest just around the corner, and I for one can’t wait to get in.
As a lover of all casual games (and cute dinos) out there, Paleo Pines is one of my most highly anticipated games this year. It invites you into a charming island renowned for its cute, friendly dinosaurs, mysterious past, and quirky residents. In Paleo Pines, evolution played out a bit differently than it did here on Earth, leading to a world in which humans and dinosaurs live amicably together. You will start your adventure off with an adorable parasaurolophus dino called Lucky who will accompany you as you try to dive deeper into the island’s secrets.
There are other possible dino companions all over Paleo Pines for you to befriend. Your ultimate goal is to build a successful ranch, help the local townsfolk, and, in the developer’s own words, “unearth the island’s lost history to build your cozy dino sanctuary.” Is Lucky the last of her kind, or are there other parasaurolophuses out there? You can hop into the demo on June 19 through to June 26 to experience a bit of the mystery firsthand.
You can also help out the devs and wishlist the game over on Steam to get a notification when the demo launches ahead of the full Paleo Pines release date on September 26. I can’t wait to ride around on my own colorful dinos, but for now, I’ll have to sit back until the Steam Next Fest commences on June 19. During the event, you will also have access to a variety of other promising indie games, so be sure to check them out.
If Paleo Pines seems like the perfect wholesome experience for you, then you may also be interested in checking out some of our other favorite farming games. From Stardew Valley to Minecraft, the possibilities in our round-up are endless. You can also look through a few of the best sandbox games or simulation games if you want a new creative outlet before Paleo Pines’ demo drops.