Highlights
- Fae Farm distinguishes itself with its colorful visuals and focuses on magic, offering players a vibrant and fantastical farming experience reminiscent of Wylde Flowers.
- Coziness is not just an aesthetic choice in Fae Farm but a must, as it boosts the player's health and energy levels, with certain furniture granting mana to cast spells.
- Alongside farming, players can care for mystical creatures and enjoy multiplayer co-op with crossplay support, making Fae Farm a standout in the genre.
When Phoenix Labs announced its farming sim, Fae Farm, last year, it did well to solidify itself as a cozy game to look out for. Fae Farm was in development for at least a year before its reveal at the September 2022 Nintendo Direct. Although this is only Phoenix Labs' second game after Dauntless in 2019, it appears to be in good hands based on the emphasis on animal care, quests, harvests, and spell casting.
Fae Farm looks like a magical Stardew Valley which is a concept that may sound enticing to fans of the hit game. The Animal Crossing-like graphics are simply a bonus reason to be delighted about the early September release date. However, with its debut on the horizon, there are a few things to keep in mind before delving into Fae Farm's vibrant universe.
Fae Farm Focuses Heavily on Magic
Though there are countless great farming simulators available for PC and Switch these days, Fae Farm stands out for its colorful visuals and implementation of magic. Its reliance on magic might even remind some a bit of the 2022 game Wylde Flowers. Similarly, as the game starts, players will find themselves in a fantastical realm where they must learn how to utilize magic.
Fae Farm director Isaac Epp mentioned that "magic manifests itself in a few key ways throughout the game." Spells can be cast upon tools or food to upgrade them while also being used to defeat enemies. There are combat-specific spells that should be employed against foes in the dungeons like the Vortex Spell which does AoE and knockback damage.
Coziness is a Must in Fae Farm
For similar games in the genre, it's often for aesthetic reasons if a player opts to make their town snug. In Fae Farm, coziness is not optional and actually buffs the player's health by quickening the rate at which it can be restored. Decorating a homestead with comfier objects will even increase one's energy levels, whereas inspirational furniture will grant mana. Of course, it's important to always have mana on hand since it's required to cast spells.
Fae Farm is Home to Mystical Creatures
Even though the player has just washed up the shores of Azoria, the enchanted land is already home to several adorable life forms. People can care for these mystical animals, which resemble those of our world, in exchange for affection and resources. They can also catch fae critters and present them in conservatories, like the museum in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Fae Farm Supports Multiplayer
For those interested in playing this title with friends, they should be relieved to hear that it is a co-op farming simulation game for up to four people. This isn't typically an option included in farming simulations, but it's very welcome regardless. Fae Farm will also enable crossplay for its available platforms, which means people using the Nintendo eShop should be able to play seamlessly with someone who purchased the game on Steam or Epic Games.
Despite the fact that these are all critical points to help with understanding Fae Farm, the world of Azoria is massive. It has been mentioned that Fae Farm will also include weddings, romance options, fairy wings, and much more. It seems apparent that Phoenix Labs has put a great deal of effort into its latest game in order to make it accessible and stand out from similar titles. It should be exciting to explore the many options of the farming simulator come September.
Fae Farm launches September 8 for PC and Switch.
