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#Games like harvest moon on the mac game store series
'Nothing bad will happen to you in Wylde Flowers'Įven before the pandemic, comfort games like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley and the Sims series held a special place in players' hearts. "We want people to be comfortable in their skin, but we also want to acknowledge that prejudice is something that happens and something that we should overcome, learn from, and come to terms with," Schofield said. The juxtaposition of Fairhaven's concern over potential ne'er-do-wells in an otherwise progressive and accepting environment, could open conversation about what discrimination looks like. The witchcraft in Wylde Flowers is based more in fantasy than paganism, according to Schofield, but is nevertheless integral to the game's story. Schofield told me the game's witches speak to a larger theme of discrimination and acceptance. The witches wear ornate robes and masks to conceal their true identities, but Tara's grandmother thinks it's time for the coven to be able to live in the open and be authentically themselves. Residents are curious, yet wary of what strange things might be happening in the woods at night.
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Shortly after Tara discovers her supernatural heritage, it becomes clear that not all of Fairhaven is as open-minded as her grandmother. The developers truly showcase the beauty of diversity with Fairhaven's residents, but the idyllic island isn't without its flaws. Tara learns that Fairhaven is home to witches and that she is one of them.
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Each interaction can improve your relationship with the other characters and shed light on their hopes, dreams, losses and origins. Wylde Flowers requires communication with the townspeople to progress in the game – whether that means selling your crops, getting advice on the best fishing spots or continuing your magic training after sunset.
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"They all have really deep story arcs that you get to know as your relationship forms with them." "It means that every time you stop by and have a chat with somebody, they've got a little bit of something to tell you," Schofield said. There are so many conversational branches that players might not unlock them all in a single play through the entire game.įairhaven might be an island, but it's bustling with interesting people to get to know. The developers explored deeper questions and motivations for each character, which resulted in 19 hours of voiceover dialogue in the game. "We built incredible characters that represent real people you can see yourself in," Schofield told me over video chat. She also wanted to take into account the diverse audience that plays life simulation games. Schofield founded Studio Drydock with the goal of moving the current farming life sim genre forward by offering more opportunities to engage with other characters' stories. After just a few interactions between Tara and members of Fairhaven's bustling population, I could see the thought and care that had gone into building the game.Īhead of the game's release, I talked to Amanda Schofield, founder of the game's developer, Studio Drydock, about what makes Wylde Flowers special. In addition to including a narrative structure, Wylde Flowers shines with the inclusion of a diverse, complex and interesting population.
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