Kettle & Kin

Kettle & Kin is a cozy management sim with no stress timers trying to ruin your day. You run a little tea house, learn new blends, rearrange the furniture, and get to know the regulars who drift in with their small stories.

The loop is simple but it hooks you. Serve the right drink to the right mood, unlock a new recipe, spend the earnings on a nicer table or a cat for the corner. The customers remember you, and they'll mention things from past visits, which gives the place a lived-in feel.

It's happy to be played in short bursts or long cozy sessions. The only thing I'd change is the pace of unlocks late on, which slows to a crawl. Otherwise it's a lovely thing to keep on your phone.

What we liked

• Zero-pressure cozy management loop
• Regulars with memory and small storylines
• Deep tea-house decoration options