On June 23, 2025, April Grove quietly launched on Steam. For just €3, this cozy title from Colorgrave lets you enter a pixelated forest and relax meditatively through gameplay. If you’re a fan of relaxing, self-paced adventures like Stardew Valley or A Short Hike, here’s why you should dive into this mystical woodcutting experience.
April Grove casts you as a rookie forester in a serene, enchanted forest. Your task is to chop trees, gather logs, and uncover the secrets of a woodland community. This retro-inspired game blends life sim, exploration, and light RPG elements in a Game Boy Advance-style pixel-art world. With no enemies, timers, or pressure, it’s all about setting your own pace.
In this game, you’ll trade logs for gold, which you can spend on upgrades like better axes, necklaces, or food buffs that tweak your playstyle. Each swing earns XP, leveling your woodcutting skill to tackle bigger trees and unlock new forest areas. You can also choose a male or female character, customize your gear, and interact with animals for varied outcomes.
Here’s what Steam reviews are saying:
“A really chill experience and a surprisingly addictive gameplay loop.”
“For anyone that played the original Harvest Moon, this hits many of those same notes: relaxing, yet full of charm and surprising secrets.”
“An incredibly hard to put down game.”
“A very grindy and repetitive experience but pretty relaxing to turn the brain off and go through the motions.”