Spiritstead is one of those games that pulls you in quietly. You start out in a calm little valley, a place where people and wandering spirits somehow live together. At first, it’s just you, a handful of villagers, and the basics - wood, food, a bit of gold. From there, you decide how the town grows.
If you like games that give you goals, Survival Mode is probably where you’ll spend time. You’re gathering food so no one goes hungry, chopping trees for new buildings, and keeping your people in good spirits. Villagers need jobs, they need places to relax, and they’ll complain if you don’t look after them. As the town expands, you’ll run into hidden spirits tucked away in forests or lakes. Some bring resources, others unlock new buildings. Leveling up slowly opens more options, so there’s always something to build toward.
If you’d rather skip the grind, Creative Mode is pure sandbox. No resource limits, no hungry villagers, just you and the chance to design a magical town however you like. It’s the place to test layouts, decorate streets, or just create something beautiful without worrying about the numbers.
What I liked most is that the game doesn’t just stop at being cozy. Even when your town looks peaceful, there are secrets tucked away in the land. Wandering spirits hint at new areas, magical shards unlock stranger buildings, and little by little, the world feels bigger than what you started with.