Moonglow Bayis an indie game set to come out in just a few short days, and it’s not one that fans of the hit farming simStardew Valleywill want to miss. Though it doesn’t exactly fall into the farming genre, it’s the same style that cozy gamers who often playAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsand the indiesSpiritfarerandCozy Grovetend to enjoy.
Players assume the role of a character whose partner has passed on—though, at the beginning of the game, this spouse, who can be male, female, or even nonbinary, will teach the PC basic fishing skills. Later on, their daughter River will come to visit and give a few more pointers, helping her grieving parent move on. Because the pair had originally moved to Moonglow Bay to follow the spouse’s dreams, the PC stays to fulfill them, but along the way falls in love with the comforting town and its many residents.
RELATED:Sea of Stars' Fishing Mechanic May Be One of the Best Yet
Moonglow Bay is More than Just a Fishing Game
Fishing inStardew Valleyis actually not all that similar to the activity inMoonglow Bay, but that’s probably a good thing.Stardew’s fishing mechanic is not well-received across the board, even though many players do enjoy it. It can be pretty difficult, especially when catching the Legendary Fish, but otherwise, it might grow a bit monotonous to some, and it’s hard to imagine an entire game designed around that specific mechanic and the way it was implemented.
Moonglow Bay, though it is marketed as a fishing simulator, is far more than just that. It’s just a small part of a surprisingly narrative-driven story.Moonglow Bay,likeStardew Valley, is all about community. The town has lost a lot of economic value because of some myths and legends, so its townsfolk aren’t doing too well financially. The mayor is attempting to close up Town Hall, and Moonglow Bay no longer has a reputation as a thriving seafood harbor town. The player character sees this and decides to do what they can to lift people’s spirits.
They do this in a number of ways that make upMoonglow Bay’s gameplay. Just as their spouse taught them, the player can take their boat out and explore the harbor and its surrounding waters, so there’s a considerable amount of light nautical gameplay involved. And with multiple rods, lures, and baits to tackle the ocean’s variety of sea creatures, the mini-game is more in-depth than most games with a fishing mechanic. And players can donate their fishy friends to the local aquarium, similar toAnimal Crossing: New Horizons' museum.
While exploring, they’ll come across the legends that have been terrorizing the town, stopping most folks from getting in the water, effectively hurting the town’s economy. But the player character isn’t afraid to tackle the beasts head-on. Hinted at inMoonglow Bay’s trailer, these strange creatures may have stronger ties to the game’s narrative than one might think.
Finally, cooking and selling are also equally as important inMoonglow Bay, which will likely excite many farming sim andStardew Valleyfans. Cooking is an in-depth process that includes chopping, boiling, washing, baking, and frying, and skill makes a difference in the dish’s final quality. Along with fish, dishes can then be sold to the locals for profit. However, some townsfolk will request certain dishes and can grow their relationship with the player once gifted the food. Players can also help rehabilitate the town with their thriving seafood business after improving morale.
All around,Moonglow Bayis a wholesome experience with a touching community. While it’s not extremely similar toStardew Valleyin its core gameplay, those who enjoy relaxing life and social sims won’t want to missMoonglow Bay.
Moonglow Bayreleases for PC and Xbox on October 26.
