Game news Everything is possible thanks to video games! The proof, I set up my frog refuge, yes yes!
Nobody knew about the existence of frog refuges. And yet this French video game has decided to make it its specialty. This makes for the cutest farm game I’ve ever played!
Kamaeru, a wholesome French game
You may not be familiar with Humble Reeds. And yet, it is a French studio based in Tourcoing since 2022. Its credo? “Creating games for a better world!” Obviously, their first game had to be a wholesome game soothing with an eco-friendly subtext. This game is Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge. And as the name suggests, the goal is to make you create a shelter for frogs. So yes, it also exists in real life. In France, the Eau & Rivières de Bretagne association allows individuals to label their pond as a “Frog Refuge” to help preserve amphibians. Although it may seem funny said like that, the project responds to a real problem: “According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, approximately 41% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction worldwide. Here too, these species are threatened and everyone can act to stop the decline and continue to observe them” can we read on the association’s website. And obviously, we would like to ask the developers if it was this project (or another of the same kind) that made them want to bring Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge to life.
Because in this cute and relaxing game, you have a mission: protecting the frogs and restoring your marsh through paludiculture. Kesako? it’s about the “production of agricultural biomass in a natural or rewetted wetland”, mainly swamps. For a long time, its areas were drained to grow things. And that, little by little, made these soils uncultivable and emitters of greenhouse gases. This is why paludiculture has recently been used to use soil more sustainably. That’s it for the short SVT course. We definitely learn a lot by looking at the description of this little game. But that doesn’t tell us what Kamaeru is worth. Well I tested the Steam Neo Fest demo and I can answer you.
The cute and relaxing game you need?
On the game’s Steam page, we can read “Kamaeru is a cozy farm game” and it’s crazy how well this description suits him. If you thought Story of Seasons and Stardew Valley were cute and relaxing games, I found them much better at this level. Everything is cute in this game. It obviously starts with the watercolor-looking AD which immediately sets the scene for us. Then it continues with the story, that of Cléo, a young woman who helps her childhood friend turn the marsh where they spent their young years into a refuge for frogs. And finally, there is the music which enhances everything and immerses you completely in this relaxing atmosphere. It’s a treat, a real Zen break that feels good.
But what about the gameplay? Well the idea is to furnish your shelter and make food to attract frogs and collect them. Each frog in a new color can be taken a photo to add to your notebook. And yes, you got it, we even have a Frogedex! It’s not much said like that, but it allows the title to have a side “catch them all” which makes you want to continue the adventure. Gradually, you will be able to increase the reputation of your refuge, make the marsh even more viable, attract even more amphibians, decorate your refuge, collect resources, craft objects, sell them, and so on. .
It’s a virtuous circle that is good for the nature in play and the mind of the player. No sense of urgency here, no panic on board, no frogs wasting away. Kamaeru is a good vibe game that benefits from a classic gameplay loop, certainly, but one so relaxing that it becomes particularly pleasant. If you need a little break from your tumultuous daily life, I can only advise you to give the product a chance during the Steam Neo Fest. And if that’s not enough to relax you, I have another little tip: Minima Lane, the smart and cute Japanese-style city builder. The two games are clearly a pair.
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is scheduled for release in 2024. Form your own opinion on the title using the demo available as part of the Steam Neo Fest until February 12 at 7:00 p.m.