One of the most adorable surprises at Gamescom this year was Capy Castaway, developed by Kitten Cup Studio, which popped up in my inbox right before the festivities. I was instantly smitten by the bright, colorful visuals, and the inherently wholesome setup.

After spending a half hour with the game and chatting with the designers, I'm more than convinced it will be the indie darling for many when it launches.

The story follows a capybara called Capy, who is washed away from his home after a freak flood. He meets Corvi, a clever crow, and the duo decides to travel together in search of Capy's home. On their way, they solve problems for others, make mischief, and do whatever it is friends on road trips do.

It's super cute.

In the demo, Capy and Corvi meet a giant three-headed goose, who demands the perfect bowl of soup or otherwise he will devour the world. Each head has its own demands, and Capy and Corvi must work together to find every ingredient they need to make the perfect concoction.

Corvi flies, Capy digs and carries things on his silly flat head. You can stack as many things as you want, and the game engine delightfully animates them swaying in the wind as Capy waddles along. The animations are beautiful and funny. They remind me of the way we imagine baby animals in our heads – not quite real, not quite animated, but something in between. It's an esoteric and difficult thing to achieve, yet Capy Castaway accomplishes it beautifully.

The writing deserves a nod as well. Capy Castaway could just coast by on mood and sweetness alone, yet it doesn't. Instead, this is a hysterically funny game, full of wit and charm in every little detail. There are in-jokes to Toronto, the home town of the studio, alongside films and anime. It's part Adventure Time, part The Simpsons, and a whole helping of smart, colorful use of the language.

It's the kind of game you pick up for one reason and stick around for a whole host of others. My half hour with it felt extremely short as I just wanted to find the next gag or silly bit of dialog. I felt at home with Capy and Corvi, which is what every cozy game dreams to achieve.

There's no release date yet for Capy Castaway, but the designers say things are going smoothly. If the reaction from gamers at Gamescom is any indication, this will be the surprise hit of the year when it does launch. It deserves nothing less.