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Fae Farm is another life-sim that will either appeal or make you scream. This genre is perfect for casual gaming. However, the addictive gameplay and hard-to-put-down moments ensure you lose your life to another time sink. Think of Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley; you know what I’m talking about. Now, I’m not sure I have room for another game from this ilk in my life. Yet, I’m glad I put the time and effort into seeing things through.
Phoenix Labs published and developed this life-sim experience. Moreover, it can be enjoyed alone or with up to 4 others online. I tackled this as a solo gamer and I didn’t regret my decision. Yet, I do wonder if things would have been easier if I had the help of other farming gamers.
Fae Farm tells a well-trodden tale.
You live in the land of Azoria. This magical place is charming, dangerous, and in need of some sprucing up. In the beginning, you are given a rundown homestead that is yours to do as you wish. Grow plants, care for animals, and expand your house any way you can. Yet, this isn’t the end of the tale. You are expected to explore the vast wilderness looking for monsters, magic, mystery, and treasure. Each completed task helps the locals and increases your reputation.
The basic gameplay mechanics will be welcomed by lovers of this genre. The ability to grow crops and care for animals is a genre staple. Furthermore, jumping into a mine to break rocks or walking to the local forest with an axe in your hand is a must. But the story-driven quests are the real winner in this title. These endeavours unlock new abilities and gear to help make your life more bearable.
A day but no night cycle?
Time flies when you are having fun. Yet, this genre usually lets you work until you drop. With the bonus of stamina potions, cakes, sandwiches, and other items, you can keep working. Fae Farm has other ideas. Midnight is bedtime no matter what you are doing. Like Cinderella, the minute the clock strikes midnight, you are returned to your home and that is that!
This was an odd choice but something that I quickly became accustomed to. The lack of freedom was strange, but it meant that I planned my days wisely. Furthermore, I became methodical with my everyday tasks of farming and mingling before setting about on my daily walk to the caves and other fun expeditions.
Customise your house.
I love the freedom to customise my virtual world. Fae Farm does a great job with its house expansion tools and the gear you can place within the walls. Moreover, the furniture is more than ornamental. Many of the items can benefit your day-to-day stats. Consequently, you can adapt your house to match your play style. This was great even though I had some trial-and-error moments. What’s more, it was fun to experiment to find the right stat boosts and look for your home.
Magic and classic tools play a key role whether you are farming or fighting monsters. Potions are key resources to keep you going and an array of special abilities can be unlocked to improve your work-life balance. Though things could get out of hand, the developer pushes a slower and more relaxed agenda. Though time isn’t a key factor, you are always aware of the midnight cut-off and the inability to explore dungeons unless you have crafted the necessary gear. This isn’t problematic, it is simply something to keep on top of.
Fae Farm looks nice.
This isn’t a genre that goes all-out graphically. Instead, it uses vibrant colours and interesting backdrops to keep you interested. Fae Farm does a great job even though the character models lack detail or a sense of emotion. This was a strange choice as there is plenty of dialogue and the story and interactions play a key role in progressing the action. Other than this, the animation is good and I liked the smooth fast travelling.
The audio is as energetic and upbeat as you can imagine. Each day has a pleasant soundtrack to keep you entertained. Moreover, there are some dramatic tracks to accompany the more dangerous elements of the game. Though these songs won’t blow you away, I liked the variety and the energy they added to the action.
Good controls.
The control system keeps you on top of the action. However, the UI can sometimes be clumsy and there are plenty of submenus to deal with. This was sometimes annoying as it caused you to waste time searching for resources and other goods. Apart from this, the controls are easily mastered and there are few surprises on the way.
Unsurprisingly, this oozes replay value and longevity. There is plenty to see and do and this is enhanced with the chance to play with friends. If you are a solo gamer, like me, you’ll still invest hours of your time without realising it.
Fae Farm is a pleasant life-sim.
I loved the magical edge and the excellent story-driven quests. Additionally, the world is fun to explore and keeping on top of your farm and managing your time was a careful balancing act. Though it sticks to tried and tested mechanics, it does a great job with its core concept. Accordingly, I enjoyed it and I recommend buying it here! Can you bring life and love back to Azoria? Plan your days, help the locals, and be in bed by midnight.
