HoYoverses’ Petit Planet prepares to kick off its Coziness Test next month with places still available

I think if someone said “HoYoverse,” one of two things would come to mind: Genshin Impact, or rampant gacha. I think it is fair to say that the developers made this mechanic explode in popularity, for better or worse. And with the closed beta for the upcoming cosmic life sim Petit Planet, approaching, I wonder how it will be implemented here.

HoYo is trying to set the scene early with this game, calling this the “Coziness Test”, commencing on November 8th. Under the slogan of “Weave your dreams beneath the stars," there will be no world-ending threat or high stakes; you simply get to create. 

Each player will be given their own planet, and will have the opportunity to build and connect with other planets, or visit the Galactic Bazaar to meet other players. Look a little closer to home, though, and you will find all manner of adorable neighbours to bond with. Grow close, and you will unlock their stories and learn their own dreams for this place.

You can spend your time here in many different ways, with the biggest task being to decorate the place, no doubt. You can also fish, farm, and craft if you prefer to get a little more hands-on. You can sign up for the test by completing the survey on the official website, ahead of the November 7th start date.

Here is my worry, however. At no point have they mentioned any gacha elements. Now, if I were optimistic, I would say that this means there won’t be any, and maybe HoYo is giving us a game free of them. But, gachas are HoYos' signature at this point, so what in this cosy sim is going to be monetized?

Will certain neighbours only be obtaining through banners? Maybe furniture will be random. Neither of these fills me with much hope. Fingers crossed, HoYo keep gacha out of Petit Planet, and we do just get a lovely sim to relax with.

But maybe I am weaving too big a dream there.