There’s a certain brand of charm that comes with farming simulators. While some may bemoan the monotony of having no action, fans of the genre find great satisfaction in settling down and managing a farm and its animals, which is what Bandai Namco offered with the first Doraemon Story of Seasons game.
Now, its sequel, Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom, looks to bring back all of that peaceful fun – and then some. A gameplay trailer unveiled during Thailand Game Show 2022 has unveiled some of the key features to expect in the upcoming title, including villager interaction, a friendship meter, a new underwater and skyward setting, and new secret gadgets.
Essentially, it embraces the Stardew Valley spirit, but brings in other elements that give it a distinct identity. The largest game in the series continues to put players in touch with nature, where they can experience the joys of farming, growing crops, and rearing animals. The last feature, in particular, works a little differently here, and will vary the outer appearance of the animals depending on how one raises them. Treat them well, and your care will show through the change in their patterns and colours.
Other activities such as horse-racing have also been carried over from its predecessor, so players won’t have to spend their time on farming all the time. Doraemon Story of Seasons: Friends of the Great Kingdom is coming to Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Steam on 2 November 2022 – the same day that its DLC pack goes live. Titled Winter Life, it contains winter-themed costumes for Noby and friends, new furniture pieces for your home, and a playable mini scenario featuring a new secret gadget.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Gerald
Trinity Sun
Edwin Teo
