Indie game of the week: Spiritstead

In our weekly indie section, we’re recommending Spiritstead, by Turbo Dog Games.

A city-builder about village life, people, and light magic just landed on Steam: Spiritstead. It’s the kind of game you play with a coffee, no rush and no demands. Here’s why I’m bringing it this week (and what to expect if you jump in).

What is Spiritstead?

In Spiritstead you arrive in a quiet land where humans and magical spirits share the space. Your job is to grow a village: houses, townsfolk needs, buildings that raise happiness (markets, cafés, campfires…), and along the way finding spirits hidden in the world that help you manage day to day.

The loop is easy to pick up: assign work, expand the map, unlock buildings and decoration, and solve small puzzles to uncover new spirits. There’s a simple economy layer: you sell harvests, wood, even gems, plus a light touch of automation, like a market where you park surplus and it sells itself.

Now and then minigames pop up (fishing, for example) for a change of pace, which is welcome. That said, the game isn’t especially long: how many hours you get depends on how long you spend decorating, and whether you’re chasing every collectible and achievement. All in, roughly 5 to 10 hours.

What draws me to this title?

I’m drawn to the promise of a comfy city-builder that’s pleasant to look at, with real personality. The studio talks about a handcrafted, animation-adjacent style, and I think they nail it. On top of that, meeting and collecting spirits adds flavor without turning into a gacha. Less pressure than other games in the genre: more “tend the place and make it look nice.”

Anyway, enough talk. Here’s how the game looks:

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Why it hooked me

I see a lot of potential. Right now I think it may work better on mobile (for spare moments) than in long desk sessions on PC; still, it’s a pleasant game I’d recommend trying, especially if you want to knock down the day’s cortisol fast.

It launched on August 6, 2026 on PC (Steam), with a launch discount in the first weeks. Even so it isn’t expensive: you’ll find it for under €10. If you’re on the fence, the demo used to help a lot with getting the tone; I’d love a shorter version back for anyone who just wants a first look.

Will you like this game?

• Yes, if… you like calm city-builders, decorating, looking after villagers, and discovering creatures or secrets without a brutal curve.
• Not so much, if… you want a hard challenge, deep simulation, or an infinite sandbox with a thousand systems.

The one caveat

There’s more progression than I expected: plenty of buildings and spirits to collect. Over time it can get a bit repetitive, yes. Even so, the economy and that surplus market feel like really solid foundations; I’d love to see them pushed much further. I’m looking forward to what future updates turn this into, because it’s the kind of game that could end up meaning a lot to me.

Conclusion

Spiritstead is my indie of the week because it fits anyone who wants to build at a calm pace: village, spirits, and no rush.

• Game: Spiritstead
• Studio: Turbo Dog Games

Next week, another one. And if you’ve got an indie you think fits this section, write me at contact@inlobby.gg.