Fae Farm
| Fae Farm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Phoenix Labs |
| Publisher(s) | Phoenix Labs |
| Engine | Unreal Engine[1] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | Switch, Windows
|
| Genre(s) | Farm life sim |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Fae Farm is a farm life sim with role-playing elements developed and published by Phoenix Labs. It was released on September 8, 2023, for Windows and Nintendo Switch. It was later ported to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on October 24, 2024.
Gameplay
[edit]After being shipwrecked on an island, players are rescued by the mayor of a friendly farming community and given an unused farm. Besides farming, players may explore the world, complete quests, engage in combat in dungeons, craft items, and romance the other villagers. Personalizing their house using furniture they craft raises players' attributes. Combat can be avoided through magic potions that turn characters invisible. Characters do not die when exposed to extreme elements or suffering from other hazards; instead, they are safely returned to town and suffer no other penalties.[2] It supports up to four players via online cooperative multiplayer or locally through the Nintendo Switch.[3]
Plot
[edit]The story begins with the player discovering a message in a bottle that invites them to an island called Azoria. After encountering a whirlpool, the player is shipwrecked on the island where they meet Merritt, the mayor of Azoria, a town located on the island. Merritt reveals that it was she who sent the message that the player found. She then provides the player a house and a farm to live. They also meet a wizard named Alaric, who gifts them with a magical staff. During their stay on the island, they meet a mystical dragon-like being named Neppy, who helps them clear the whirlpools. The player also meets the Wisp Mother, the island's guardian, who provides them with wings and opens the way to the Fae Realm located on the other side of the island, where magical creatures live. Humans used to live in the Fae Realm, but a dangerous mist called miasma has forced them to evacuate and the Wisp Mother sealed off passage to the Fae Realm to protect them. The miasma is discovered to have been caused by Boletal, a mushroom-like magical being, who enjoys it but doesn’t know that it is harming others. The player provides Boletal with a meal in exchange for his help in removing the miasma. They later meet Grell, a frost magical being, and Flammo, a lava magical being. By providing them with meals, they help the player stop a savage blizzard and a volcano eruption in return. It is soon discovered that the whole reason the natural disasters occurred is due to the Wisp Mother leaving the island for some time, while caused her magic to grow out of control. Once the Fae Realm is fully restored, the humans and magical creatures reunite, and the Wisp Mother vows to be more responsible in the future as main story ends.
The game’s DLC grants the player access to a new area called Croakia, where they meet its guardian: a frog-like magical being named Grenu.
Development
[edit]Developer Phoenix Labs is based in Vancouver, Canada.[4] It released Fae Farm for Windows and Switch on September 8, 2023.[5] The first DLC, Coasts of Croakia, was released in December 2023. It is free for owners of the Deluxe version or the Switch version. It adds a new area to explore and creatures that can be befriended.[6]
Reception
[edit]Fae Farm received positive reviews on Metacritic.[7][8] GamesRadar called it "a low-stakes, inclusive, and supremely cozy farming sim". They praised the lack of grinding and coziness, but they said it "may be too chill for some".[2] RPGSite's reviewer said it is "one of my favorite relaxing games of the year".[3] RPGFan said it "can flip-flop from feeling new, fresh, and polished to an Early Access title that needs some refining". In particular, they disliked the combat system, which they felt to be too barebones, and they said they encountered many bugs. They expressed hope that it would become "the next go-to game in the farming sim genre" after post-release updates.[9] Although Nintendo Life said the social dynamics were unimpressive and felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to do, they said it is a "gloriously thoughtful and beautiful farming game that's packed to the brim with details and charm".[10]
Awards and Nominations
[edit]| Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards | Family Game of the Year | Nominated | [11] |
References
[edit]- ^ Williams, Mike (2023-08-17). "Over 40 Unreal Engine-powered games highlighted during recent summer events". Unreal Engine. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ a b Wickens, Katie (2023-09-06). "Fae Farm review: 'A low-stakes, inclusive, and supremely cozy farming sim'". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ a b White, Scott (2023-09-06). "Fae Farm Review". RPGSite.net. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ Dealessandri, Marie (2023-02-03). "Phoenix Labs regains independence after management buyout". GamesIndustry. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
- ^ Romano, Sal (2023-06-08). "Fae Farm launches September 8 for Switch, PC". Gematsu. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ Fuller, Alex (2023-12-15). "Fae Farm First DLC Out Now". RPGamer. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
- ^ "Fae Farm (PC)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "Fae Farm (Switch)". Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ Gordon, Sam-James (2023-09-06). "Fae Farm". RPGamer. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ Gray, Kate (2023-09-06). "Fae Farm Review (Switch eShop)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "2024 Awards Category Details Family Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 16 February 2024.