Posted by: Gianna Cosimini | February 16, 2026 | Demo, Farming Sim
If you’re looking for a new cozy game, you’ve probably seen Cave Oasis at Shylake popping up on Steam. It’s basically a solarpunk life-sim, made by a solo developer, and after spending some time with the demo – it’s definitely doing some cool things. Imagine if a farming sim moved into a giant cave on a moon and decided to focus on saving the planet instead of just making money.
The Good Vibes
The first thing you’ll notice is how it looks. Usually, sci-fi games are kind of dark or depressing, but Cave Oasis at Shylake is bright and full of life. The whole town works together as a community, focusing on recycling and sharing resources. It feels really nice to play a game where the goal isn’t just to hoard items for yourself, but to actually help the environment and the people living there before the big dust storms hit.
How it Plays
Since you’re underground, you aren’t digging in the dirt like a normal farm. Instead, you use hydroponics. Your greenhouse is small, so you have to stack your planters and figure out how to run the water lines. It’s a bit like a puzzle, but the snap-to-grid feature makes it easy to keep things organized without getting frustrated.
The crafting is also pretty smart. You use things like 3D printers and mushroom incubators to make your tools. One of the best parts is the deconstruction feature, if you make something and realize you don’t like it, you can just take it apart and get your materials back. No wasted resources, which fits the whole vibe of the game perfectly.
Meeting the Neighbors
There are a ton of NPCs in Shylake and they aren’t all just humans. You actually use a translator to talk to different alien species, which makes the world feel much bigger. The talking parts are well-written, and you can choose how you want to respond, which helps you feel like you’re actually part of the town.
A Couple Rough Spots
The demo still has some work in progress moments, which is expected for a demo. The sound is the main one, sometimes the music just stops when you move from one area to another. It leaves you walking in total silence for a bit, which can be a little jarring when everything else is so immersive.
The other thing is that the eight-day limit is really short! There is so much to learn, from managing oxygen to helping with town projects, that you’ll probably hit the end of the demo right as you’re starting to get the hang of it. It definitely leaves you wanting to play more, but it can feel a little rushed. Thankfully, the demo can be replayed for constant fun until the games release!
Final Thoughts
Cave Oasis at Shylake is a great pick if you want a cozy game that actually makes you think a little. It’s peaceful and kind, but it still has some depth to the management side. If you like games like ‘My Time at Sandrock’, but want something that feels a bit more modern and hopeful, you should definitely check this out!
Maturity Rating: E for Everyone
This game is a very safe bet for all ages. Since it’s a cozy title, there’s no combat or scary stuff to worry about. The focus is entirely on building a community, exploring a cool cave world, and learning how to garden sustainably. It’s the kind of game you can feel good about letting anyone play.
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