Undoubtedly, one of the major genres of the year that has captured my attention and kept me going almost the whole year of 2020, and into 2021, are the Life Simulation games. We all know of Animal Crossing New Horizons, but there are more than just that. Bonus to you as well if you played more than one and can keep them all going without your brain falling out.
Stardew Valley by developers Eric Barone, ConcernedApe and Sickhead Games, is definitely one of the most iconic games that fits the life simulator style. There are still people downloading this game or buying it right now. Stardew Valley is considered a farming simulator where you, the player, receive a run-down farm from your grandfather. Your goal is to relax, restore the farm and raise crops, tend to the animals, and build relationships. There are plenty of other things to do as well such as talk to the NPC villagers and help them with tasks. Eventually you can go through the mines for items and craft too. Sometimes there is combat as well. Stardew Valley was inspired by Harvest Moon but has more elements. The game runs off a 28-day system to indicate the seasons where some crops are harder to grow than others, making it more lifelike. This is a very charming game that can keep you playing for hours without wanting to rush to get everything done.
Garden Paws, from Bitten Toast Games Inc, is hands down one of my most favorite games, and one of the most frustrating. Players get to customize their character in the beginning into whatever animal they choose and what color. Players even get to change the face as well and can go back to change these things at any time. This resource management game can be played online or offline with up to four friends, or you can play alone. Players run around an open world gathering materials to craft with while doing tasks for villagers. The third person view makes the game feel like you’re in the world too. Colors are vibrant and the map can be challenging to learn at first. This is a game that would be great on the Switch, but even for a fully developed game, there are still bugs that need to be worked on. The developers are always open to feedback, and even with bugs, I can get lost in this game for days and hours. Over 165 hours to be precise. Something about completing tasks and progressing the town just makes me happy inside.
Harvest Moon: Light and Hope by Talbot Inc is also a major management game on the list of resource management and life simulators. Considered one of the first major games of this style, Harvest Moon keeps the mechanics simple. Players end up on an island, get to live there and must bring the island back to life with their crops, crafting and more. As you fix old homes and do tasks, the island begins to come back to life. Eventually you can enter a relationship and even have children. Unlike the pixel style of Stardew Valley, the game here is in an anime style and still reminiscent of older consoles. The day and night cycles are short, and an energy bar is used to help players manage their time. Of the other games mentioned, this seems to be the most story driven.
All these games are similar in nature and mechanic. They also offer an escape from all other games when you need a break. Players must really focus on what they need to do and when they need to do it to get past challenges such as the different seasons. There really isn’t any right or wrong way to play either, just a lot of repetition.