Hearth and Hamlet is a new pixel art cozy city builder from developer Phorust Studios and publisher Runic Forge. It’s due for release on Steam on April 20th, 2026, but has been surging up the Steam demo charts during the recent Steam Next Fest. In a press statement, Runic Forge said. “With its relaxed vibes and charming aesthetic, Hearth and Hamlet has warmed the hearts of thousands of players within its first month of listing on Steam, building up momentum to its demo release alongside Steam Medieval Fest.”

In the game, players assign their growing workforce to gather resources before transitioning to building shops, town halls, barracks, banks, and magic academies. Discover strange lands across the waters and set and oversee policies of trade and diplomacy to acquire exotic resources and mystical artefacts. All the while, players manage citizens’ happiness for production bonuses, and recruit soldiers and guardsmen to protect their civilization from dangerous animals and raiders.

Key features of Hearth and Hamlet include:

Heartwarming Pixel Graphics. Set in a landscape of woods, streams, and mountains, complete with deer and rabbits grazing, Hearth and Hamlet is lovingly rendered in a cozy, pixel art style.

Satisfying Incremental Growth. Enjoy the quiet tranquility of humble beginnings, all the way up to the busy bustle of the castle, the city, and the kingdom! Players can assign workers, maximize happiness, and set societal policies to create their perfect civilization.

Unfolding Scope. Players can research new technologies and policies to open new doors at every turn. Form civil defense infrastructure, educational, and religious institutions. House the nobility in luxurious mansions. Unlock the secrets of alchemy to turn the entire economy on its head.