Petit Planet first impression: A charming cozy escape in space

by

I was really surprised when HoYoverse announced Petit Planet. HoYoverse is best known for action RPGs and games with gacha elements, so a “cosmic life simulation” seemed like a totally different direction for them. That’s why I was so eager to try it out as soon as it launched.

After trying out the Stardrift test, it’s clear this game is going for a much more laid-back and comforting feel. It’s more like a cozy life simulation than the typical fast-paced experience you’d expect from HoYoverse. Here are my initial thoughts on Petit Planet, without giving away any spoilers!

Petit Planet is launching on both mobile and PC, and it will be free to play. Plus, you’ll be able to play with friends on any device!

Building your planet feels like so much fun

From the very beginning, the game is visually appealing, delightful, and remarkably well-made – exactly the quality you’d expect from this developer. At the start, I was able to select my home planet from a variety of environments. Currently, this test version of Standrift offers two planet choices, but I anticipate more will be available when the full game is released.

I began my career with Lumio, a company that focused on growing and nurturing small planets throughout the galaxy.

The Luca Seed is the core of your planet’s development. Instead of traditional leveling systems, you grow your world organically by collecting Luca essence through activities like fishing, gathering resources, and exploring. As the seed grows and evolves, your planet expands, gradually unlocking new materials, structures, and locations.

The game’s visuals immediately make a great impression. Its bright, colorful art and cute characters perfectly match the peaceful and calming experience it offers. This is typical of HoYo, who consistently excels in this area.

The game mainly focuses on calming activities like decorating, farming, crafting, and collecting creatures. I think this slower pace is great and makes it more enjoyable to explore. You’ll also need to cook, and the game lets you experiment with different recipes to stay fed.

I was really hoping the game would perform well technically, and I wasn’t disappointed. It ran very smoothly, even on demanding settings. I played on a OnePlus 12R with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and only experienced a few minor, barely noticeable lags. My connection also stayed consistently stable throughout my playtime.

Social features and neighbors add personality to the world

I really love how Petit Planet doesn’t feel like a chore. So many games try to keep you hooked for hours and hours, but this one is different. It’s more like a cozy little habit – I find myself popping in every day just to see what’s new in the shops, chat with my neighbors, and do a few quick, chill tasks. That said, if I do get really into it, I can definitely lose a few hours, but that’s because it’s just so enjoyable!

The game also features Neighbors, which quickly became a highlight for me. These cute, animal-like characters can settle on your planet, develop with special items, and even help you earn rewards or permanently improve your island.

Players can visit each other’s planets, look at homes, buy things from shops, and generally explore different worlds. The game feels vibrant and lively thanks to public spaces like the Galactic Bazaar, which features fun activities like rhythm games, storytelling around campfires, and opportunities to connect with other players.

The longer I used it, the more I loved it. To be honest, even as an early tester, Petit Planet exceeded all my expectations.

Final Thoughts

Petit Planet isn’t about constant challenges or leveling up. It’s designed to be a relaxing and enjoyable game you can come back to whenever you need a little comfort. It’s charming and cozy, with controls that are easy to use, and it has surprisingly in-depth ways to connect with other players for a life simulation game.

I enjoyed the game, though its relaxed speed might not appeal to all players. However, if you like calming games where you can leisurely create and develop your own world, Petit Planet is worth checking out before it officially launches.

It’s already delightful and unique, easily competing with other popular games in its category, and it has the high-quality finish we expect from HoYoverse. I’m confident it will be a success.

Read More

2026-05-15 08:12