Put Stardew Valley and Overcooked in a Blender, and You Get This Charming New RPG
Summary
Pao Pao is an upcoming cosy sandbox RPG that mashes together elements of Stardew Valley, Overcooked and Animal Crossing. Set across multiple islands, players farm, fish, forage and run a restaurant while completing quests and hunting rare items. The game supports solo play and up to four-player co-op, and features a cast of anthropomorphic animals, character customisation and a mix of mini-games tied to routine tasks.
Restaurant management is central: you must gather ingredients by farming, fishing and foraging, cook recipes and look after patrons, then upgrade and personalise your establishment. When you aren’t on shift you can explore a semi-open city. A playtest is currently open via the game’s Steam page; full release is slated for sometime in Q4 2025. Price and pre-order details are not yet confirmed.
Key Points
- Pao Pao blends farming, cooking and light social simulation across multiple islands.
- Supports single-player and up to four-player co-op with anthropomorphic animal characters.
- Main loop centres on running and upgrading a restaurant—gathering ingredients, cooking and serving customers.
- Tasks are varied and include mini-games to keep routine activities engaging.
- Character customisation includes choosing different animals, outfits and colour options.
- Playtest currently open on Steam; full release expected in Q4 2025. Price and pre-orders unannounced.
Why should I read this?
If you like cosy sims with a bit of organised chaos—think gentle farming by day, frantic kitchen moments by night—this one looks made for you. It’s got the comfy, low-stress loop of Stardew-style life sim plus Overcooked-style food focus and co-op flair. There’s a playtest live right now if you want to try before the Q4 2025 release, so you don’t have to wait to see if it sticks the landing.
Source
Source: https://www.gamingbible.com/games/stardew-valley-overcooked-fans-pao-pao-902171-20250910
