Discover a New Steam Game Inspired by Kiki’s Delivery Service
Sharing food with others creates a special kind of magic, and when it comes to baked goods and desserts, that magic is even more pronounced. In *The Witch’s Bakery*, this magic is very much a reality. This delightful adventure is filled with charm and warmth, reminiscent of the enchanting worlds crafted by Studio Ghibli.
In this debut title from Sunny Lab, you step into the shoes of Lunne, a heart witch who relocates to Paris to open a magical bakery alongside her pink, cat-like companion, Orio. From Monday to Saturday, Lunne’s days are packed with baking. She prepares dough infused with magic, which Orio then bakes using elemental powers. As she serves customers, she also earns her keep—though in this case, “dough” refers to money, not just the pastry.
Customers come with their own quirks; some are indecisive, while others are impatient. Anyone with experience in food service or retail will recognize the familiar challenges posed by these patrons. Lunne’s magic becomes essential when dealing with customers burdened by regrets that manifest as adorable creatures floating around them, visible only to those with magical abilities.
Helping these customers adds a refreshing twist to the daily grind. Instead of simply handing over a pastry, Lunne dives into their hearts to heal them, freeing them from their emotional baggage. This involves navigating mini-mazes to uncover and eliminate their regrets, all while facing emotion-themed obstacles, such as waves of sadness or fiery bursts of anger. Much like in last year’s *Tiny Bookshop*, the game allows players to settle into a soothing rhythm of managing the bakery.
As you venture outside Lunne’s shop, *The Witch’s Bakery* expands into the stunning streets of Paris, presented in a 2D side-scrolling format. Lunne quickly befriends various townsfolk, including a neighbor who owns a cinema and a young witch still discovering her path. You can invite them over for dinner, catch a play, or simply enjoy a dessert at a café while diving into a good book. The world is your beignet.
Early on, you encounter Estelle, who carries a significant regret. Lunne spends time at Estelle’s office and home, motivated by two goals: Estelle is an accountant who struggles with numbers, while Lunne excels at baking. More importantly, Lunne aims to help Estelle confront her regret, even if her assistance is somewhat accidental.
Lunne finds herself drawn into Estelle’s Heart Palace, a much more daunting space than the simpler mazes she navigates in others’ hearts. Conceptualizing sadness as an ocean, Estelle’s Heart Palace resembles an underwater ruin filled with puzzles that require connecting points using movable cubes. While these puzzles are generally manageable, they provide a fun challenge and a change of pace. There are even moments where Lunne must evade a lurking monster known as a Torment. Spooky!
Estelle’s narrative is quite poignant, necessitating multiple explorations of her Heart Palace to uncover the root of her issues. This encapsulates the essence of *The Witch’s Bakery*; while it exudes cuteness and coziness, it delves into the complexities of emotions that can be daunting to confront. In many ways, it feels like a Studio Ghibli film brought to life in video game form, with clear parallels to *Kiki’s Delivery Service*.
The game even boasts genuine Ghibli connections. Upon hearing the opening song, I immediately thought it would fit seamlessly alongside the studio’s films. It turns out that Cécile Corbel, who composed the soundtrack for the underrated *The Secret World of Arrietty*, is behind this enchanting music. While many games draw comparisons to Ghibli’s work, few feature talent directly linked to your favorite films.
Combine that Ghibli magic with a relaxing gameplay loop, heartfelt stories, and charming character designs—Lunne’s braid resembles plaited bread—and you have a recipe for success. Any gamer in search of a cozy experience will want to dive into *The Witch’s Bakery*.
*The Witch’s Bakery* is now available on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.
