Dressmaker Release: New Cozy Styling Game Out Now!

Here's everything you need to know about the release of Free Lives' new game, Dressmaker.

Dressmaker, a cozy crafting game inspired by real dressmaking, is out now! The game has just released on Steam for Windows and Mac with a special launch discount.

This charming job simulator brings crafting and storytelling together. You play as a local tailor, and it's your job to choose fabric, cut out patterns, and sew them all together to satisfy (or maybe even sabotage) the townsfolk's requests. As the game progresses, you'll build your reputation, unlock new designs and meet different clients.

We covered the game and its features earlier this year, but let's take a look at everything you need to know about the Dressmaker release, including some great offers!

Background

Dressmaker started out as a passion project between Jonathan Hau-Yoon, who previously worked on games like Fortnite and Terra Nil and artist Sabrina Becker, a dressmaking and fashion history enthusiast.

The game was developed Free Lives, a South African independent games studio more often known for their violent and comedic games. Marking a shift in tone for the studio, Free Lives have released the project under their newly launched label Cozy Lives.

Dressmaker also features music by Meydän and writing by Kerstin Hall. You can stay up to date with the game on Instagram and TikTok.

Dressmaker Release Info

Dressmaker released on 21st September, and is available for download on Steam. The game is currently compatible with Windows and macOS. It is also playable on the Steam Deck, however some issues with graphics and text display have been reported.

The system requirements are listed as follows on the game's Steam page:

Discount and Bundles

Dressmaker is listed for $14.99 (or equivalent in your local currency) on Steam. However, for a limited time, you can get 10% off your purchase, meaning you'll pay $13.49 instead. This offer is available for a limited time until 28th September.

As well as the launch discount, Steam also has a selection of bundles where you'll be able to get Dressmaker alongside another game. Each bundle offers an additional discount on top of the existing deal, so it's definitely worth checking them out to see if any of the other games catch your eye.

The following four bundles are currently available:

First Impressions

Initial response following Dressmaker's release has been overwhelmingly positive - at the time of writing an impressive 96% of reviews recommend the game.

Many players were already familiar with Dressmaker, having played the free prototype before launch. The prototype generated a lot of conversation around the game, meaning there was a lot of hype for the game's release.

Many reviews have praised the detail and realistic feel of the dress making mechanics in the game. One reviewer comedically wrote that they "spent 120 dollars on silk in the wrong color palette, didn't realize until the dress was complete, restarted the whole thing, realized I could have recycled the fabric. 10/10 realistic to my real sewing experience".

Another highlighted the creative freedom the game offers, noting the "staggering" amount of fabric, pattern and accessory options the player can unlock as they progress through the game.

The game has also earned praise for the accessibility of it's sewing assist feature. One player mentioned initially being nervous due to dexterity issues but found the assist "meets a nice middlepoint of assisting players, while not making it so easy that you feel like you are cheating at the game".

Elements including the art, soundtrack, relaxed pace and replayability have also been noted as positive points. You can check out more reviews on Steam.

Have you been playing Dressmaker? What are your thoughts? Let us know, and make sure to check out our other articles, where we'll keep you up to date about what's going on in the world of life simulation games!