Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, whilst also taking the time to include some lengthy gameplay, to give you the reader, the chance to shape your own impressions and views whilst watching and reading. In this installment, we’re covering Garden Story by developer Fallen Flag Studio.
Garden Story: (The Explanation)
We have had our underdog stories, but have we ever had our under-grape story? Take charge of the newest Guardian of the Grove, Concord, and help rebuild a broken town and take back control from the rot. The gameplay loop of Garden Story consists of taking on tasks from residents. Along the way, residents will also ask you for help for side quests.
By completing tasks you will learn new abilities and level up Concord. While you traverse the world you will be cutting down tree stumps and grass or breaking rocks and glass jars that wash up on shore. Concord can gather items to complete tasks or place in a storage box that will convert to nightly coins delivered to your mailbox.
Garden Story implores a basic flow of time from morning, day, evening, and night. The time of day can change what characters are available to talk with or stores that are open. As night falls the various rot enemies will become more hostile and move faster. During your day you need to complete those two-three main tasks from the bulletin board, as well as, side quests or favors that residents give you. Doing so will level you up quicker, though you are not penalized if you only complete one or two tasks during the day.
Garden Story has a beautiful pixel art style. Small details of items in the background animate with subtle effects reminiscent of games like The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. Even the text you read when characters give exposition is animated where words move within the speech bubbles.
The game so far has been a wholesome experience and I look forward to and recommend that if my description of the game sounds good to you that you jump in and give Garden Story a go.
Garden Story: (The Gameplay)
Game Specifications:
Developer: Picogram
Publisher: Rose City Games
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Indie, Action, Adventure, Role-Playing, Simulation
No. of Players: 1 player
Release Date: August 11, 2021 (EU & NA)
Price: $19.99
File Size: 106 MB
Nintendo.com Listing
