Picture by way of Josh Koenig Video games
Firefly Village is a farming life sim alongside the strains of Stardew Valley and Story of Seasons, however with the purpose of constructing issues a lot easier. As in all the things is shorter, streamlined, and fewer concerned than others within the style. Whereas it’s a novel experiment to see how a lot you’ll be able to in the reduction of and nonetheless go away a satisfying sim behind, it additionally ends in issues feeling unbalanced and high quality of life options being deserted within the course of.
In Firefly Village, we’re a newcomer who strikes into city to take up residence in an empty shack with some farmland. Solely a handful of parents dwell within the space and there are just a few screens value of areas to discover. Every season lasts solely seven days, with a day being 4 minutes, so it will definitely comes down to only dealing with our 54 plots for crops, handful of animals, and principally 5 people dwelling within the space. Upgrades? They’re minimal and contain issues like a kitchen and deck. Animals? You most likely solely find yourself with six chickens. Your purpose is to take pleasure in efficient days that cross shortly and don’t function a whole lot of busywork.
It’s attention-grabbing. Firefly Village is totally each component of a farming life sim distilled all the way down to probably the most crucial elements, so technically a whole lot of what we’d anticipate from Story of Seasons or Stardew Valley is right here. We will turn out to be finest pals with the 5 villagers. There are finally supplemental actions like cooking, fishing, and mining. We will accumulate objects like scarecrows. There are festivals to have fun events like Halloween. The issues we anticipate are right here, and Josh Koenig Video games does present we are able to accomplish the complete farming expertise in truncated days days and seasons, nonetheless undertaking issues.
Nevertheless, an enormous a part of taking part in Firefly Village makes me understand how a lot I miss a few of the issues that naturally come from bigger farming life sim video games like Stardew Valley or Story of Seasons. There’s the absence of high quality of life options. Wish to harvest issues or do some gathering? You may maintain 12 objects, they usually don’t stack. Need a cow? That might be 5,000g, and it truthfully can take fairly a little bit of time to earn that cash. Instruments? Apart out of your preliminary farming tools, it’s worthwhile to wait till they randomly seem within the retailer and you may inventory them. Have to water or collect? Generally your character received’t face the fitting route it’s worthwhile to carry out an motion and it’s worthwhile to fiddle round with issues.
Additionally, whereas farming life sims like Story of Seasons and Stardew Valley can have days that typically really feel lengthy or like we’re “grinding” by means of a schedule, taking part in Firefly Village made me understand that point wasn’t wasted. Going by means of these routines could possibly be calming. I preferred ready round whereas fishing. Or the deeper connections that got here from its socialization that weren’t current with the three-heart-level friendships right here. The truth that some issues did occur so shortly right here made it really feel much less satisfying after I’d harvest crops, take care of animals, or attain a relationship milestone. Sure, there’s no bloat right here. However there have been instances I want there have been to make issues really feel a bit extra fulfilling.
I do recognize that the simplicity in Firefly Village additionally extends to the looks. The design is minimalistic, however nonetheless extremely efficient. It calls to thoughts the older Story of Seasons video games on, say, the Recreation Boy or SNES. There’s a allure to it, and I additionally actually appreciated the creative route for character portraits that make them really feel rustic.
I recognize Firefly Village as an experiment into how a lot you’ll be able to lower from a Stardew Valley or Story of Seasons type farming sport whereas presenting a cohesive expertise. It’s attention-grabbing. Succinct too! It appears nice as effectively, with some adept spritework. However on the identical time, issues go so shortly that I didn’t really feel a way of satisfaction and accomplishment from taking my time and watching my digital farm and life blossom over time. It’s an enthralling solution to cross the time, however you may not get as a lot out of it as one of many extra sturdy, bigger video games.
Firefly Village is offered on PCs.
Firefly Village
I recognize Firefly Village as an experiment into how a lot you’ll be able to lower from a Stardew Valley or Story of Seasons type farming sport whereas presenting a cohesive expertise.
