If there’s anything that the COVID-19 lockdowns taught us about gaming, it’s that sometimes all you need is to sit down and gradually build a village, make relationships with make-believe characters, checking in every now and then to ensure the whole thing hasn’t gone to pot. It’s a trend that was kicked off with Animal Crossing, continued with the likes of Stardew Valley, and is now being headlined by today’s release, Hokko Life.
Coming out of Steam Early Access, and launching onto Xbox, PlayStation and Switch also, Hokko Life eases you into a town that is in desperate need of a touch of colour, some new furniture, and generally a whole lotta lovin’. Your character steps off the train into this village of Hokko and, armed with a trusty hammer and paintbrush, can get to work.
Building resources won’t come out of thin air, mind, and you’ll have to get down into the mines to dig for resources, resurfacing to then craft your scavenged goods into furniture. Following a simple gameplay loop, a typical Hokko Life play session will consist of gathering resources, crafting materials, building new furniture using an incredibly intricate builder tool, and finally adding it to the houses littered across the town. You can be both an exterior and interior designer, deciding where exactly new houses are placed in this rural, colourful town, and which pieces of furniture are moved in. Do you want to go for an urban feel to the place, or follow the rustic, wooden route? The choice really is up to you.
Hokko Life wouldn’t be complete without the usual bug catching and fishing we have become accustomed to in such titles; players will be glad to know that the game will track the exact type of species you have managed to net/reel in, and their measurements. Just in case someone asks how big your Peacock Butterfly is, you know?
With its full console release, the following features are being added to Hokko Life today:
- Desert Island Distractions – Speak to Hurley in the Inn and hop on his boat to the new Desert Island Location!
- Archaeology – Use the Artefact detector and help Leonard find hidden artefacts around the island
- New Design Tool Materials: Bamboo, Driftwood and Shells
- New Tropical Ocean and Pond Fish
- New Tropical Butterflies
- Take the Artefact Detector into the mines and dig for Geodes containing rare gems you can use in your designs.
- Designed by a community member, our newest villager Ramesh is looking for a new place to live!
- Reporting Tool added for User Generated Content
Which means the key game features include:
- Get creative: The workshop awaits! Players take control over every aspect of Hokko, with the 3D design tool, every aspect of a player’s creation can be tailored to perfection
- Dare to design: No detail is too small, everything from the colour, fabric, and angle of the pillow on a chair can be edited
- Sharing is caring: Players will be able to share their meticulously crafted designs with friends and other players around the world
- Back of the net: A lazy afternoon in Hokko can be spent with a net or pole in hand, catching and collecting the critters crawling around town
- Meet the neighbours: Hokko’s townsfolk offer a warm welcome, and with varying personalities, they all make for fantastic friends.
If this all seems like too much cuteness and comfort to miss out on, then make sure to head over to the Xbox Store and pick up a copy of Hokko Life on Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One for cash. Alternatively, the game can be found on PS5, PS4, PC and Switch!
And if you want to know more? Our full review of Hokko Life on Xbox Series X|S is able to provide it.
Game Description:
Step off the train into the town of Hokko and get settled into your new home! This quiet village needs your help to turn it into the charming rural town everyone loves. With hammer and paints in hand it’s up to you to design, build and decorate homes for all of your new friends!
