One of the joys of extensive game research is discovering indie gems you didn't even know existed, and I recently found one on Steam that I can't stop thinking about. After a deep dive into the so-called Eastshade by Eastshade Studios, I came across a farm life simulator from the same developer that is basically a hodgepodge Stardew Valley and Hogwarts heritagecomplete with an incredibly charming art style, a fantasy setting where heavy lifting does magic, and even high-caliber voice acting. It's one of those games that I know I'll be playing as soon as it comes out, and I'm so ready for it that I'm almost willing to preemptively accept any problems, technical or otherwise, that might come with it.
Glimmerwick songs is an upcoming open-world farming sim on Steam that takes the idea of enrolling in a wizarding school and puts it within the framework of a game like Stardew Valley. I know I am not alone in my love Stardewas it remains one of the most popular indie games on the market because it captured the core gameplay of the genre Harvest Moon he helped the pioneers and added a heart that many later contributions gradually lost. As such, I'm always looking for another similar game and considering Hogwarts heritage is one of those games that I would love to go back and play again for the first time, Glimmerwick songs it's naturally on my radar. Now all that remains is to wait.
Songs of Glimmerwick puts the legacy of Hogwarts under a cozy blanket in the shape of Stardew Valley
I almost want to say Glimmerwick songs is like Stardew Valley missing Hogwarts heritage however, that doesn't do it justice because while it takes some ideas from both of those games, it puts unique twists on their formulas that I'm sure you won't find in many other places. Yes, players attend a wizarding school, run a farm to some extent, and there are plenty of activities in the game world that are similar to what players will find in both. Stardew Valley and Hogwarts heritage. However, Glimmerwick songs has its own art style and one of the most creative magic system concepts I've ever seen in a game, potentially allowing it to stand out even more than a title like Witchbrookfor example – which really looks like “Stardew Legacy”.
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Songs of Glimmerwick's Core Features
- STORY RPG WITCH ACADEMY with main story quests and many smaller character stories set in a magical forest world.
- A MAGIC SYSTEM BASED ON MUSIC where casting spells involves playing songs from your songbook.
- QUESTS IN RPG STYLE focused on different characters, mysteries and exploration.
- CARE OF THE UNIVERSITY GARDEN by planting mundane and arcane crops and using spells (like summoning rain).
- UNIQUE SPELL INTERACTIONS such as talking to trees, enchanting tools, and overcoming environmental obstacles.
- THE LIVING WORLD with classes to attend, rumors to chase, festivals to enjoy, and dynamic characters with lives of their own.
- FULL VOICE DIALOGUE revival of the main and secondary characters.
- CHARACTER PROGRESSION SYSTEM allowing you to gain experience and choose skills to improve gardening, trading and special abilities.
- CUSTOMIZABLE APPEARANCE so you can choose how your character will look like.
- EXTRA CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES such as exploring the island, trying out for teams, fishing, diving with seashells or participating in forest expeditions.
Glimmerwick songs takes players to the forest fantasy world of Glimmerwick, where they enroll in its famous university of magic. There they will attend classes to expand their knowledge of magic, tend to the university garden, meet the many inhabitants of the island, and participate in various side activities often seen in cozy games such as Stardew Valley– including fishing, festivals and exploration. But there are plenty of other extracurricular activities Glimmerwick songs also, such as joining a band, diving for shells, or bonding with green elves on forest quests.
Songs of Glimmerwick's Standout Feature Is Its Magic System
The most notable feature Glimmerwick songs is undoubtedly his magical system based on music. In the world of Glimmerwick, witches cast spells to cast spells rather than just using a wand, giving spellcasting a more distinct flavor than other games that feature it. But it's not just the fact that his magic system is fundamentally rooted in music that makes him stand out. Rather, it's about how magic is used to complete tasks in the game, including gardening.
While Stardew Valleyfarming requires players to do most of the work manually, Glimmerwick songs it gives players spells that can enchant tools to work on their own. In the game, it is even possible to summon rain clouds to water the garden, unlike using a watering can in other farm life sim games. In addition to the gardening aspect of the game, players can also use magic to complete tasks such as talking to trees or frogs, and overcome otherwise impassable obstacles while exploring the open world.
Songs of Glimmerwick gives Stardew Valley's Heart a voice
One of the biggest reasons Stardew Valley is such a beloved farm sim because of how Pelican Town and its inhabitants feel alive and like a place and people you really want to get to know. The character interactions in the game are so deep and real that emotional connections can be made without the characters having real voices. However, Glimmerwick songs can have a one-up on Stardew Valley here because not only does it have fully voiced characters, but based on what was only shown in the trailer, the performances are top notch.
Of course, there are people who think that voice acting can ruin a game because it ultimately depends on the context. However, it can be said that it fits perfectly Glimmerwick songsmold. Rather than being primarily a farm sim, Glimmerwick is a story-driven RPG experience that feels like it plays out with its farming life gameplay loop as a sideline rather than the main focus. In this framework, voice acting is more important, though only if it's done well, as bad performances can be more of a distraction than anything else. but again Glimmerwick songs seems to have this part nailed.
In March 2024, developers Eastshade Studios mentioned on Steam that there are already 100 unique characters in the game. Glimmerwick songs “and rising” and that “many of them are dynamic with plans and some even change clothes on occasion.”
Songs of Glimmerwick currently has no release date, but I hope it arrives soon
As wonderful as it all sounds Stardew Valley and Hogwarts heritage fan like me Glimmerwick songs is currently without a release date. I wish it came out tomorrow because I can't stop thinking about it ever since I discovered it. Unfortunately, I may have to wait longer than I want, although I won't stop waiting at this point. I'm already sold Glimmerwick songsand I only saw it in passing. And after learning more about it, maybe you will too.
However, there is still hope. Eastshade Studios released a trailer for the game 4 years ago, so it's possible that it will launch sooner rather than later. The developer's last devlog was also published on Steam in March 2025, and if the patterns hold there, another devlog could be on the way this March as well. And even though Glimmerwick songsDevelopment takes quite a long time, apparently they work with a small team, so that's understandable. Finally, a response to a fan Steam discussion post in December 2025 confirmed that development was continuing and that a demo would be available before the game's 1.0 launch. I hope it comes soon because he is dying to play this game.
Glimmerwick songs is currently available on wishlist at Steam.
