Introduction

The assumption when picking up an RPG or open world adventure game is that it has to be challenging and action-heavy. We’ve grown so accustomed to titles like Elden Ring or Skyrim that we’ve forgotten not every adventure needs to be a grand, punishing ordeal. Honestly, there are plenty of games that share these genres while still being fun and genuinely relaxing — and that’s exactly why developer Bonobo Software‘s debut title, Taival, caught my attention so quickly. Described as a cozy adventure game, Taival might look epic and serious at first glance, but it didn’t take long for me to see why that word — cozy — fits it so well. While this is a beta preview, I still went in looking for what works and what doesn’t, and I figured I’d share those findings with you all in our Taival beta preview for PC!

Gameplay

Taival reminds me of what might happen if you merged Minecraft with a touch of Fable. You create your strange orc-like character and set off to assist an even stranger creature called a Henki — a shapeshifter that can absorb the forms of creatures it encounters in the world around you. That might sound like the setup for an epic tale, but Taival isn’t about pressure. There are no urgent quests demanding your immediate attention, no endless hordes of enemies to cut through. Go adventure. Do things at your own pace.

Run across vast, forest-like landscapes. Climb mountains. Just explore. Taival does have quests and objectives, but I frequently found myself wandering off to do something entirely unrelated before eventually drifting back to the main path — and that felt completely intentional by design. Co-op play is also available, giving you an easy reason to pull in a few friends for a relaxed shared journey — though we didn’t test this for the preview, it looks like it could be a lot of fun.

What I personally loved most was simply wandering through the various landscapes and taking in how distinct each one felt. The environments feel genuinely worthy of the fantastical genre Taival inhabits, and unlike the typical pressures of most adventure RPGs, the default setting here is relaxed. That isn’t to say there are no RPG elements — Taival can be tough for those who want the challenge, and that’s where the game’s deeper systems begin to show themselves. There also appear to be skill trees to invest in down the line, though they aren’t yet accessible in this beta build.

In terms of combat, your character can equip and use various weapons — swords for up-close hacking, or simple magic for ranged attacks. The choice is yours, and having spent years being locked into a specific class from the outset in most adventure RPGs, this flexibility was a genuinely welcome change of pace.

The two biggest issues I have with Taival at this stage are the feel of combat and the number of bugs encountered throughout. The latter is entirely expected in a beta and should be ironed out with updates. The former, though, is worth noting. Combat in Taival currently feels a little lifeless — hacking at enemies or casting magic doesn’t offer much in the way of tactile feedback. Even bosses and larger enemies feel hollow to hit. A bit more physical reaction from enemies on impact, or some added visual or audio feedback, would go a long way toward making engagements feel more satisfying and engaging.

Graphics

Using the voxel-like art style we’re beginning to see more of in the indie space, Taival is quite nice to look at. I couldn’t help drawing the comparison to Minecraft meets Lego throughout my time with it — and I mean that affectionately, because I love both. The various landscapes are blocky, charming, and full of personality, and your shapeshifting companion especially highlights Taival‘s unique visual blend. Not everyone will immediately fall in love with the aesthetic, but those who are tired of the usual graphical direction most adventure games take will likely find Taival‘s look to be a refreshing breath of fresh air.

Sound

The sound is probably my least favorite aspect of Taival in its current beta state. The OST is calm and appropriately relaxed in tone — which suits the game’s overall vibe — but it didn’t do much for me personally. It doesn’t ruin the experience by any means, but I did find myself switching to my own music after a while just to have something more engaging in my ears. Something to keep an eye on as the game develops toward its full release.

Overall Impression

Taival shows real potential and is already a lot of fun in stretches. Yes, the beta is currently littered with bugs, glitches, and rough edges — but that’s exactly what a beta is for, and I fully expect Bonobo Software to address these before launch. Taival is absolutely a game worth wishlisting if you’re looking for a relaxed co-op adventure to enjoy with friends. Keep your eyes on this one.

Conclusion

I’m genuinely excited to play the completed version of Taival. Even if it doesn’t become the next great adventure game, you can tell that Bonobo Software is trying to craft something different — a cozy, pressure-free alternative to the systems we all know and are slowly growing tired of. I have real hope that Taival finds the audience it deserves on release, and we’re absolutely planning to revisit it with a full review of the final build here at SunsetNerdVerse. Stay tuned!