My Experience Getting to Level 100 in Spirit City: Lofi Sessions

When I first read about Spirit City: Lofi Sessions through my co-worker's review, there was something about the game that really resonated with me, and it began living rent-free in my mind until I had to buy it. I was hesitant; I’ve bought plenty of games I thought I’d sink hours into, only to drop them after a few sessions.... but, boy, was I right this time.

Despite loving the idea of having an ultra-clean house with incredible decor in every inch of it, this isn't a reality I can afford, especially when owning a heavily shedding pug (named Murky, by the way; Sir Murk-a-lot, if we're dropping casual speech)... but if I'm being painfully honest, I don't think I would have it even if I didn't have a furbaby, either — I'm always in the mood to play something. Who has time for keeping anything ultra-clean!?

Spirit City offered me a chance to have just that: a space that I can decorate to my heart's content (without getting up and doing any actual icky exercise) until I'm mentally prepared to go work. But what really captivated me wasn't that or the Avatars that I can decorate... it was the smaller details, and then, the incoming flood of evident love and passion in the form of updates.

You see, despite hearing about Pomodoro Timers during my various attempts at becoming more productive, I never attempted to really learn about the system, let alone use it. In Spirit City, it was right there, easily accessible every time I booted my game, and I made sure to do so with every work session. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me (after over 500 hours, but still), and I tried it... Well, folks, the unsurprising happened: I loved it. The Pomodoro Timer helps me stay focused without getting to a point of exhaustion, and this was an absolute saviour during the last Summer Game Fest!

Another thing that Spirit City introduced me to that I had heard about a lot but didn't dabble in was lo-fi music. I began with the great soundtrack that the game itself offers (which changes depending on season!), but it eventually led into a more me version of it: a lo-fi version of gaming soundtracks that I love. Through this, I found two new favourite YouTube channels: The Deku Trio and GameChops! I have no doubt in my mind or heart that I have heard their tracks more in the last year than I have any other songs.

The combination of having the Pomodoro Timer and my own music for "the zone" has made work more than bearable — I oftentimes look forward to it. It's easy to think of these little rituals as silly or based on just aesthetics, and, sure, they can begin that way, but they've definitely got more depth in them than just "the vibes".

Soon enough, through all the comforts of making my own space, finding my music and ambient sounds, and using the focus tools, Spirit City became part of my daily life. In the blink of an eye, I reached significant milestones — 100 hours, 300, 500. I decided I would stick with it until I reached my biggest in-game goal: level 100! At that point, no matter how many hours in, I would know how much or how little the game has truly affected my experience with work. And now, at almost precisely the 700-hour mark, I've achieved just that.

It might sound silly, but there's a big place in my heart for this game. It has seen more changes in my life than I ever expected, from very personal things to simple ones, like jobs, moods, and even other games. It has accompanied me through various fests and news pieces and even seen the beginning and ending of many in-game adventures in other worlds, such as my current journey in DARK SOULS III. 

I didn't ever have a proper idea of what I would write when (and if, because I had doubts in my consistency) I reached level 100, but I think it boils down to two simple things: I want to give back to the developers by writing a love letter to their gamified focus tool that has got me through it all, and I want to inspire others to stick to a similar project. It doesn't have to be Spirit City if you don't want it to be, but there was a phenomenal sense of accomplishment when I reached my in-game goal because it is tied directly to my real-life achievements. I don't boot the game unless I am working, which makes the time and effort placed into my projects more tangible.

My wife bought it for me back on the 28th of April 2024, and it has become a vital companion to my day ever since; heck, it even helped me come to terms with having to use a wheelchair. I've seen it grow (it has over 11,000 reviews on Steam and a 97% Overwhelmingly Positive score!) while I've gone about my life, and I think it's one of the sweetest experiences I've had in gaming that doesn't involve me wrecking someone in PvP or being nostalgia-baited.

So, I guess this is all to say that I want to thank Mooncube Games for all the love and support they've put into Spirit City: Lofi Sessions. It has made a difference in my life, and I cherish it dearly. If you’ve been struggling with productivity, this also might be a great project to pick up, especially as there are many options on Steam now (and a DLC coming up for Spirit City).