Monsterest blends the cozy routines and relationship-building of Stardew Valley with the business management of Moonlighter, creating a life sim centered around running an inn for monsters.

Developed and published by indie developer Sile, Monsterest is a pixel-art adventure that puts players in charge of a growing inn. Each day brings new monster guests with different needs, requiring players to prepare rooms, cook meals, gather resources, and make sure everyone has a comfortable place to stay.

The innkeeping is only one part of the experience. Players can explore the surrounding world, chop down trees, collect resources, discover treasure, cook new recipes, and research different upgrades. These activities feed back into the inn, allowing players to build new rooms, craft furniture, and improve the overall business.

Like Stardew Valley, relationships also play an important role. Monster guests can become friends and eventually join the player as companions. These companions can participate in activities such as fishing, hunting, and gathering wood, making friendships useful beyond simply improving the social side of the game.

Players can also customize their monster companions with new outfits and upgraded tools. As friendships develop, the monsters become increasingly helpful, giving the relationship system a practical purpose alongside its cozy appeal.

The inn itself acts as the heart of Monsterest. Players can construct and decorate rooms, craft and dye furniture, and complete various daily tasks to improve their establishment. Increasing the inn's Stay Rating gradually attracts new guests and unlocks additional furniture recipes, providing a steady progression loop.

The combination of systems gives Monsterest a particularly interesting identity. The gathering, cooking, exploration, friendships, and daily routines recall Stardew Valley, while the focus on building and improving a profitable establishment brings Moonlighter to mind.

Rather than managing a shop catering to adventurers, however, Monsterest puts players in charge of a colorful inn filled with monsters. For fans of cozy games who enjoy having a little more management involved in their daily routines, it could offer a compelling new twist on the life sim formula.