Released in 2026, Bubblegum Galaxy is the second major title from Smarto Club, the indie studio behind the charming narrative adventure Teacup. Published by Astrolabe Games, this vibrant new project combines puzzle-like building mechanics with a relaxed story about office life, creative problem-solving, and repairing an entire galaxy one tile at a time.
The premise alone immediately sets the tone. You play as a brand-new intern at a planetary design company tasked with rebuilding the Bubblegum Galaxy after an unfortunate technical mishap. On your very first day, someone mysteriously manages to delete the galaxy server, wiping out countless planets and leaving the company scrambling to restore the universe.
Rather than embarking on an epic interstellar battle or heroic space quest, your task is far more mundane — and oddly soothing. Sitting at your modest workstation, you’ll gradually reconstruct planets tile by tile while chatting with eccentric colleagues and uncovering the truth behind the mysterious cosmic catastrophe.
The result is a cosy building experience that combines puzzle mechanics with narrative storytelling in a way that feels both accessible and pleasantly whimsical.
Designing Planets One Tile at a Time
At the heart of Bubblegum Galaxy is its planet-building system, which serves as the primary gameplay mechanic. Each planet starts as a blank grid where players place different environmental tiles to gradually develop a functioning world.
Tiles come in various forms, representing landscapes such as forests, water, mountains, or special planetary features. The aim is not just to decorate the planet but to create efficient designs that meet mission objectives.
The in-game software assigns tasks such as connecting tiles of the same colour, forming clusters of specific terrain types, or placing a certain number of natural features like trees. These objectives present puzzle-like challenges that promote careful planning rather than random placement.
Early levels are simple, helping players understand the rules of planetary architecture. However, later planets introduce unique quirks that alter the building system. Some worlds impose particular restrictions, while others reward inventive layouts.
Since each planet behaves slightly differently, the game maintains a steady sense of progression as players learn to adapt their strategies.
A Cozy Rhythm
Unlike traditional strategy builders that emphasise optimisation and resource management, Bubblegum Galaxy adopts a slower and more relaxing rhythm.
There are no hostile forces threatening your creations and no ticking clocks demanding constant efficiency. Instead, the focus is on experimentation and creativity.
The tile-based design system is simple to understand but satisfying to master. Watching a barren world gradually turn into a vibrant planet filled with forests, lakes, and colourful terrain provides a gentle sense of achievement.
This relaxed pace is central to the game’s identity. It encourages players to see each planet as a small puzzle rather than a high-pressure challenge.
The result is a builder that feels welcoming to players of all experience levels.
Office Life in Space
While planet construction is the core gameplay loop, Bubblegum Galaxy introduces personality through its narrative structure. Between building sessions, players can step away from their workstation and explore the office environment.
Here, the game shifts into a more storytelling-focused experience. The office is inhabited by quirky co-workers, each with their own personalities, habits, and stories to share.
Conversations unlock hundreds of small story events, gradually revealing more about the company and the strange circumstances surrounding the galaxy’s deletion.
These interactions often lean into gentle humour, with characters discussing everything from workplace gossip to cosmic engineering challenges. The writing maintains a playful tone that complements the game’s colourful presentation.
Exploring the office also offers opportunities to uncover small environmental details and secrets, making it feel like a living space rather than a static hub.
The Mystery of the Missing Galaxy
Although Bubblegum Galaxy is mainly a cosy builder, it also features a subtle overarching mystery. The story centres on discovering who deleted the galaxy server and why it occurred.
As players rebuild planets and interact with colleagues, small clues start to surface. Some characters seem suspiciously evasive, while others appear remarkably knowledgeable about the incident.
The mystery gradually unfolds through dialogue, environmental storytelling, and mission progression.
While the narrative remains understated, it offers enough intrigue to keep players curious about the real story behind the galaxy’s disappearance.
This storyline helps connect the otherwise relaxed gameplay.
A Charming Visual Style
Visually, Bubblegum Galaxy fully embraces its cosy aesthetic. The game features bright pastel colours, soft lighting, and whimsical planet designs that make each world feel cheerful and inviting.
The planets themselves resemble miniature dioramas floating in space, with tiny forests, lakes, and mountains arranged like pieces in a puzzle box.
This toy-like presentation heightens the satisfaction of building each planet. Every tile placement adds to a vibrant and colourful final result.
The office environment contrasts well with the cosmic construction scenes. Its interior spaces are filled with playful details, from cluttered desks to quirky decorations that hint at the personalities of the employees.
Together, these elements create a visual style that feels both relaxing and distinctive.
Accessible and Welcoming
One of the most impressive aspects of Bubblegum Galaxy is how approachable it feels. The building mechanics are introduced gradually, enabling players to grasp the basics without feeling swamped.
Objectives remain clear and manageable, ensuring players always understand what they are working towards. Even as puzzles become more challenging, the game rarely feels frustrating.
This accessibility makes Bubblegum Galaxy an ideal entry point for players who may not usually enjoy strategy or builder games.
At the same time, later levels introduce enough complexity to keep more experienced players engaged.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Relaxing and approachable planet-building mechanics
- Charming art style and colourful presentation
- Creative tile-based puzzle design
- Engaging cast of quirky office characters
- Light mystery storyline adds intrigue
Cons
- Gameplay may feel repetitive during long sessions
- Limited challenge for players seeking deeper strategy
- Narrative remains fairly light
Final Verdict
Bubblegum Galaxy effectively captures the essence of a cosy builder, offering a relaxing gameplay experience that combines puzzle design with narrative charm.
The planet-building system strikes a pleasing balance between creativity and structure, encouraging players to experiment while providing clear objectives. Each completed world feels like a small personal triumph, especially when clever tile placement results in a beautifully designed planet.
Meanwhile, the office hub adds warmth and character to the experience. Interacting with colleagues and uncovering story events gives the game a sense of community that elevates it beyond a simple puzzle builder.
The overarching mystery surrounding the deleted galaxy offers just enough narrative motivation to keep players engaged without disrupting the relaxed pace.
Although the gameplay loop can become repetitive over longer sessions and the strategy elements remain fairly light, Bubblegum Galaxy ultimately succeeds by capitalising on its strengths.
It is a game crafted for players who enjoy gentle creativity, charming storytelling, and stress-free building mechanics.
For fans of cosy indie games and thoughtful puzzle experiences, rebuilding the Bubblegum Galaxy proves to be a delightful journey.
