Indie developer PepperStones announced that they're making major changes to the combat mechanics for HIPS N NOSES. This overhaul is going to be part of the playable demo that's set to debut during the Tokyo Game Show 2026.
HIPS N NOSES sees a world where Mela is the only person who can sleep and can dream. Mela later opens a café that helps customers recover lost memories. After that, she spends her days getting to know the people who walk through its doors and learning more about their needs. She also serves drinks that are tailored to their individual tastes.
However at night, things get considerably more dangerous. That's because once Mela falls asleep, it sees her entering a constantly changing dream world that's filled with monsters. These nighttime expeditions allow players to collect Memory Flowers. It serves as ingredients which can be used back at the café.
There are actually two sides to the game and each one feed directly into one another. The conversations and café management influence what players need to look for when they enter the dream world.
Upcoming Demo
The demo to be showcased at the Tokyo Game Show demo introduces a major overhaul to the combat where players get more control on how they can build and develop their party. The change also adds what's called the "tag system." This one has players apply tags to the weapons and skills of each party member. The tags also let them customize their combat builds and even strategically shape their preferred progression path.
The updated demo introduces a new part-time staff system that helps players keep up with the growing workload as their café expands. Staff can assist with preparing and serving drinks ordered by regular customers. This should make it easier for players to manage everyday orders while focusing their attention on the café’s special customers.
Overall, HIPS N NOSES is a game that features management simulation and combines it with action roguelike gameplay. The game is currently in development for PC and set to be released to Steam Early Access. A playable demo is available now on Steam.