Vivarium: Ghibli-style life sim was the pleasant surprise at Xbox Showcase

Today's Xbox Showcase wrapped up, and amid the blood, guts, and wackiness the standout trailer was the calming life sim Vivarium.

It’s not that the gore-free option displaced other highlights—State of Decay 3 and Metro 2039's new trailers both looked fantastic—but a Ghibli-styled cosy life sim provided a striking contrast to the rest of the show.

Set inside a "perfect" pocket world, you play a protagonist in a life-sim adventure that progresses through a non-linear narrative shaped by your choices. To move the story forward you chat to locals who are peculiar yet charming anthropomorphic animals, plus a doll who is your best friend, learning more about your neighbours and the secrets the world holds.

The game’s hand-illustrated art style clearly nods to Studio Ghibli, and watching the protagonist amble through forests and over babbling brooks feels restorative. There’s no exact release date yet, though it is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2027.

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