Hi friends! I’ve spent a few cozy evenings with Is This Seat Taken?, the new logic-puzzle matchmaker from Poti Poti Studio (published by Wholesome Games Presents), which launched on August 7, 2025. If you enjoy snug, brain-tickling games that never take themselves too seriously, this one is an easy pick. It’s silly, sweet, and just clever enough to make you feel smart without turning into a headache.
Overall Impressions
The game’s personality stands out most. You assign seats for hilariously picky characters, each with quirks and pet peeves. The puzzles feel tidy and well-built, while the tone stays cozy throughout. It plays like a mix of gentle logic puzzles and people-watching with a warm mug of tea.
A few rough edges do exist. The London level has a geography slip — cars drive on the wrong side, which feels distracting. Later levels also dip into repetition once you’ve learned the main tricks. Still, those nitpicks fade against the fun. Among cozy puzzlers, Is This Seat Taken? ranks near the top — friendlier than most brain-benders and more structured than freeform sims.
Gameplay Mechanics
Each level gives you a cast of characters, a seating chart, and rules: who can sit together, who avoids food, who demands a window seat. It’s pure puzzle delight. Rules appear gradually, so nothing overwhelms you, and the simple point-and-click controls keep the flow smooth.
The puzzles hit a sweet balance of “aha!” moments and quiet logic work. Correct placements trigger satisfying chain reactions. The game also respects your time — quick sessions fit perfectly into casual evenings. Audio defaults come set to modest levels, which many players praised since no one likes a game that blasts sound at launch.
The weak spots? The difficulty curve wobbles. New rules sometimes force you to rethink earlier mechanics, which can feel jarring. After many levels, some puzzles also repeat themes. Even so, they never grow frustrating — only less surprising.
Story and Characters
There’s no heavy story, and that’s fine. The quirky cast is the story. You’ll meet the introvert who demands a buffer seat, the foodie who rebels if placed near a salad-hater, and the diva who must sit center aisle. Each character gets just enough description to feel distinct without slowing the pace.
Despite the simple setup, the cast pulls you in. One demo player called them “oddly shaped blobs you root for,” and that sums it up well. Every level plays like a mini social sitcom, keeping things cozy and approachable.
Visuals and Graphics
The visuals bring plenty of charm. Characters look squishy and expressive, backgrounds stay warm and simple, and the UI stays clean. This minimal style keeps the puzzles front and center while making every screen a pleasure to see.
Sound and Music
The soundtrack loops gently without becoming grating. Small effects — chairs sliding, sighs, cheerful pings — add satisfying feedback. No voice acting appears, which suits the casual tone. And again, big points for smart audio defaults.
Difficulty and Replayability
Difficulty sits in the casual-to-moderate range. Early levels are breezy, mid-game ramps up pleasantly, and later puzzles can be quite clever if you want a challenge. If you’re someone who enjoys polishing your score or solving optional harder versions, there’s room to stretch. For players who prefer a relaxed run-through, the main path is forgiving.
Replayability comes from the satisfying puzzle design and some later-level variants that push you to rethink your strategies. It’s not an endless sandbox, but it’s got a fine sorting of bite-sized levels that make it easy to dip back in. If you love achieving a “perfect” seat layout or replaying a particularly tricky level, you’ll get your value.
Trivia / Behind-The-Scenes
Poti Poti Studio is a small indie team that leans into heartful design, and partnering with Wholesome Games Presents makes sense — this title fits right into their cozy catalog. The game’s demo already hooked lots of players (some reported immediate emotional attachment to the characters), and the launch has been well-received — recent reviews are “Overwhelmingly Positive,” which matches my experience.
Final Thoughts
Is This Seat Taken? is exactly the kind of cozy puzzler I want on my shelf: warm, clever, and happily silly. It’s not perfect, but its charms — the characters, the clean puzzles, the relaxing vibe — outweigh the few small issues. If you like light logic puzzles, people-watching humor, and games that make you smile while you think, give this one a try.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
