[PREVIEW] Log Away – The First Croatian Game in the “Cozy” Genre

If you happen to have played games like Tiny Glade or Small Spaces, then you might be interested in the Croatian version of these “cozy sandbox builders.” Specifically, the studio The-Mark Entertainment, previously known as Red Martyr (which is behind Saint Kotar), is developing the game Log Away. The central theme is relaxing, building, decorating, and furnishing a dream cabin amidst natural beauty.

To say that the demo version is a big disappointment is an understatement. It is quite limited; we only received one item from each building category. Although this is a project that certainly doesn’t cost much to develop, the demo version is not a true mirror of the game, which you can play until the end of the Steam Next Fest.

Have We Ever Had a True Croatian Cozy Game?

Let’s start at the beginning: you choose a map of your liking—in this case, only one was available, set amidst a forest and mountains—where you will build a true little cabin. Interestingly, before you start, you can select exactly which categories of objects you want, whether it’s painting, fishing, or something else that interests you. These items or structures will be unlocked, and they are organized by color. Of course, the main or starting items like walls and basic decorations will always be available. After that, we can build on the space that is precisely marked with a grid.

Log Away doesn’t contain tutorials, and, honestly, you don’t even need them. All you need are your creativity and emotionality to transfer your wishes onto the fields. Many might ask themselves, “What’s the point of a game like this?” The charm lies precisely in relaxation, the soothing music, and the rustling of leaves and nature that conjure up total Zen.

To make the job easier, you can choose between a free camera and a first-person one, as well as decide whether you want to see the roof or the walls. Once you get an idea of what you want to create and arrange everything according to your vision, you’ll discover that you can click on various objects—for example, open windows or even pet the dog.

The object categories are divided into furniture, decoration, wall elements, plant embellishments, and so on. Like Tiny Glade, you also have a day and night cycle. Log Away already looks really good and beautiful, and the amount of detail on every object is clearly visible, with the natural beauty of the river visibly tangible. I personally found it more fun to decorate the interior because it offered more possibilities for experimenting, while the exterior was quite sparse.

Unfortunately, I don’t know why this is the case, they didn’t need to unlock the whole game, but at least two objects from each category would have been sufficient. As it is, you are quite limited in your options and can’t do much.

For Those Who Love to Relax After Other Games

As is typical for titles like this, a photo mode is available, allowing you to create your own screenshots. Additionally, there is an option to change visual styles, for example, from modern to pixelated, and the full version of the game will bring even more options. Of course, this won’t appeal to everyone, but for a good photo, why not. On the other hand, the soundtrack, featuring compositions inspired by Western, country, and blues genres composed by Chris Haugen, is truly striking.

Building in this game is very simple. Everything can be rotated quickly, and you can stack certain objects on top of one another, for instance, a lamp on a cabinet. You have a lot of freedom in choosing where and how to place items, so you’re sure to find something to your taste. You can even change colors, so everything doesn’t have to be exclusively brown.

Therefore, if you enjoy decorating a space next to a fireplace or watching how a dog fits into the environment you’ve arranged, Log Away is definitely the game for you. Just don’t expect anything massive, as cozy games generally don’t require much interactivity, but they do provide a lot of relaxation and creativity.