The Summer Game Fest had something for everyone across a wide assortment of genres. Be it thesurprise presence of Insomniac withMarvel’s Spider-Man 2,more information aboutMortal Kombat 1, orJohn Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, the showcase was varied and fun, and one of the games that was nestled into the announcements wasFae Farm. It was revealed in 2022, but a new trailer gave fans a glimpse at what else it offers, and the comparisons to a genre titan were immediately noticeable.Stardew Valleyis the king of all farming simulators, and though it’s been around for a while, it remains the gold standard that all other offerings have to live up to.
Fae Farmmay do something different altogether and could use new gameplay ideas to keep it fresh. However, it’s not the first to be inspired byStardew Valleyand take the philosophy in a new direction. Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone’s crowning achievement has become a game that people believe to be the benchmark, so a lot of other offerings that do something similar are instantly judged alongside it.Fae Farmmay enjoy strong sales because fans ofStardew Valleywant something new to play, but with that audience comes expectations, and developer Phoenix Labs needs to stand out on its own.
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Fae Farm’s Longevity Relies on It Being Unique
Plenty of games have tried and failed to keep a strong audience, due in large part because they don’t have enough of a clear identity. Games likeStory of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive TownorPotion Permitwere great, but were fleeting because they were titles that followed the leader rather than forged their own path.Disney Dreamlight Valleyhas had to rely heavily on the history of the film studio upon which it’s named to have any kind of longevity, soFae Farmbeing a new IP could mean that its uphill battle to be relevant is even higher.
However, what was shown atSummer Game Festwas great, and its charming visuals and communal feel were something that a lot of people will be eager to see more of. The implementation of magic could be a key way to make it feel new, and the ‘scenic realms’ of Azoria could bring out any RPG elements that the game has. It clearly has a higher emphasis on fantasy than most other farming simulators, and the creativity of the story and presentation could be a major factor that keeps players returning.
Stardew Valley Basically Owns the Farming Sim Genre
Though there are plenty of games that have tried to snatch its crown, some being completely new and others being the latest entries in longstanding franchises,none have usurpedStardew Valley. It’s a game that is deceptively deep, as the somewhat humble visuals can trick the player into thinking that it’s simple to trundle through. The opposite is true, as the jobs stack high, and the number of things to do and remember becomes never-ending in just a few short hours.
Even seven years after it launched,Stardew Valleyis receiving updatesthat bring quality-of-life improvements and added gameplay elements that keep it from feeling stale. It’s a better game than it was when it hit digital storefronts and continues to improve despite already being something great. All signs point toFae Farmbeing another good game in the life/farming simulator genre, but that’s simply not enough as the ever-looming shadow ofStardew Valleyis quickly becoming one of the toughest to emerge from.
Fae Farmlaunches September 8 for PC and Switch.
