Garden Storyis an upcoming indie game made by developer Picogram and published by Rose City Games. Because of its style, as well as its name, it’s easy to mistakeGarden Storyfor another farming simulator likeStardew Valley. Additionally, Rose City says that players must work towards a common goal inGarden Storyalong with the rest of the community in the game.
While it may pull some gameplay elements fromthe 2016 hit indie game, it looks like it also takes inspiration from games likeUndertale;from its adventure RPG gameplay, to the cozy feeling the game invokes. PerhapsGarden Storyis a little bit of both indie games, enticing players from two different genres to create one, lighthearted experience.
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Why Stardew Valley Players Would Enjoy Garden Story
Much like the start ofa new save file inStardew Valley,Garden Storyis quaint, even if it has more sinister elements to discover. While it’s primarily an action-adventure RPG, there are some noticeable elements that give it that same relaxing tone. “Action isn’t isolated to combat,” Rose City says aboutGarden Story. Players can fish, garden, and build, and these tasks will be an equal part ofGarden Story’s gameplay to its monsters and fighting. Similar to how combat is only a small piece ofStardew Valley,Garden Storyoffers refreshing breaks; tying the action into a service Concord, the protagonist, does for the community along with other menial tasks.
The pastel-colored pixel game is largely about community and helping others, judging by the most recent showcase at Day of the Devs. Players will have to complete favors, not unlike the oldAnimal Crossinggames, and completing tasks will bring the entire town closer to a mutual goal. Task management, the system that makesStardew Valleyso addicting, will also make an appearance inGarden Story.For example, Concord can manage stores and build structures to develop the island, which does change as the seasons pass.
Fishing, often a major draw when it comes to cozy games, will be a unique system inGarden Story. Instead of trying tokeep the fish within the parameters of the bobberlike inStardew Valleyor correctly timing the reel like inAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, Picogram tasks players with hitting specific arrow keys on command to successfully catch a fish.
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Garden Story Has Major Undertale Vibes
Part of what makesGarden Storya wholesome game is the way it doesn’t shy away from the menial tasks like opening an umbrella and the backstory of even the smallest characters, two thingsUndertalelargely became known for. For example, Frisk can buy hot dogs from a hot dog stand and stack them on their head or pet dogs in battle to quell and pacify them instead of killing them.
Undertale’s charm came from the unique characters found in every corner of the game. Each NPC has a distinct personality, whether it’s the bosses Frisk can befriend, or Temmie the dog monster. Much like how each creature inUndertalecomes in its own shape and size,Garden Story’s townsfolk and enemy, known as the rot, are completely original creations.
Garden Storyis a whimsical tale of Concord becoming the town guardian and discovering the secret behind the rot, a quiet force that’s been popping up and threatening the peace of the villagers. Exploration is a big part of discovering the game’s atmosphere and much likeUndertale, there’s a lot to discover in each area. And in terms of atmosphere, music will help create the world around Concord, setting a relaxing tone when he’s in town or a dainty one when he’s playing around in the snow, similar toToby Fox’s masterpiece album.
Garden Storyis set to release Summer 2021 for PC and Switch.
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