Random Select is Polygon’s series dedicated to spotlighting under-the-radar titles. Our editors assign a writer to dive into a game completely blind, download it without prior knowledge, and report back after at least an hour of play. This week, we’re serving up: Beastro.
It is 4:45 a.m. on a Tuesday. I have no business being conscious, let alone productive, at this ungodly hour. I’m not cramming for a forgotten exam—I am a full-grown adult—yet here I am, shivering, staring down a bleak choice: try to claw my way back into a dreamless sleep only to wake up exhausted, or surrender to the icy void of my morning to-do list and risk total burnout by noon.
Then, it hits me. In my sleep-deprived haze, I have a third path. I shuffle downstairs, collapse onto the couch, and fire up the Xbox. Waiting for me is the perfect tonic for this liminal, pre-dawn headspace: Beastro, the genre-blurring culinary adventure from Timberline Studio.
Let me be clear: this isn’t a knock on Beastro, but perhaps a slight jab at the “cozy game” label as a whole. I don’t inherently hate relaxing aesthetics, but I rarely seek out games to simply unwind. I crave friction and challenge—I want to be engaged, not perform virtual labor that mimics the chores I’m procrastinating on in real life. That usually disqualifies most farming simulators. I need either a gripping, intricate narrative or experimental mechanics that push the boundaries of play. Atmospheric games that prioritize collecting cutesy creatures over a soft piano soundtrack usually miss the mark for me. I’m likely the only cat-person in history who finds “cozy” games draining, which is a lonely spot to be in.
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<p>Timberline is technically correct to brand <em>Beastro</em> as "cozy," but if I had judged the book by its cover, I would have missed out on something special. The genius of <em>Beastro</em> lies in its fusion—much like its protagonist, the aspiring sous-chef Panko, the game masterfully blends disparate elements. It’s part RPG, part farm sim, part deck-builder, and part frantic arcade-style mini-game collection, all anchored by a narrative that treats flavor profiles with the same gravity that <em>Avatar: The Last Airbender</em> treats elemental magic. One moment you’re casting a line to secure the day’s catch; the next, you’re scrambling to plate a feast; and finally, you’re off to challenge Umami monsters with a deck of Salty magic. It’s the ideal cognitive stimulation for 4:45 a.m. or whenever your brain needs a gentle kick-start.</p>
<p>You play as Panko, waking up in the charming town of Palo Pori to find your mentor missing and a mysterious fire spirit claiming residence. To save your mentor and repel the looming, shadowy forces threatening the town, you must master the restaurant, preparing the flavor-infused meals that fuel the "Caretakers"—the warriors tasked with holding back the darkness beyond the walls.</p>
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<p>Each day in <em>Beastro</em> unfolds in three distinct phases. The morning is dedicated to agriculture: gathering produce, tending to livestock for proteins, and scouring the vibrant 3D landscape of Palo Pori. While the game traps you within these walls, the world feels dense and alive rather than restrictive. The resource management is tight but forgiving, offering just enough friction to be rewarding without ever feeling punishing. It’s comfortably cozy.</p>
<p>By evening, the restaurant opens. This is where the gameplay shines, melding cooking mini-games with light management simulation and a puzzle-like meal-prep phase. You aren’t just chopping veggies; you’re strategically assembling dishes that, when eaten, transform into the cards you’ll use in the game’s third act. It sounds like a lot to juggle, but it’s remarkably cohesive—pure, satisfying <em>mise en place</em>. Mastering the timing of your sautéing unlocks skill trees, while crafting the perfect meal requires a thoughtful layout of ingredients on a grid to maximize your hero’s survival and attack potential for the coming night.</p>
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<small class="body-img-caption">Image: Timberline Studio</small>
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<p>Once the dining room clears, Panko heads to the lounge where the Caretakers recount their expeditions. This segment, presented in a delightful, paper-puppet aesthetic, shifts the game into a roguelite deckbuilder. Your effectiveness here is entirely dependent on the quality of the meal you prepared earlier. The combat is a tactical tug-of-war where every card corresponds to one of five flavor profiles—Umami, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, and Salty—with complex synergies and counters dictating your success.</p>
<p>It’s a balancing act that demands focus. Relying too heavily on a single flavor profile makes you vulnerable to enemies built to counteract it, while an overly eclectic deck can lack the punch needed to win. Adding in specific hero requests—like "no fish!"—keeps every turn feeling fresh and demanding. Despite my initial reluctance to step into a "cozy" game, <em>Beastro</em> proved to be the perfect companion. It is sweet, sharp, and brilliantly balanced—a culinary triumph that goes down easy, no matter what time of day it is.</p>Source: Polygon
