If you’ve been thinking that your action RPGs have been lacking something in the fruit and vegetable department, then fret not! Garden Story is here to bring some roughage.
It’s not a windfall of games today on Game Pass, but we’ll take the odd release if they’re as wholesome and adorable as Garden Story (Console, Cloud and PC) . It tells the story of a young grape who has found themselves in the role of guardian, as they look to protect The Grove – a community of fruit and veg in a magical fantasy land.
You get to wear a few fruity hats in your career as guardian. The first is explorer, as you navigate four different regions and clear them of rot, which has sprouted up and corrupted the once beautiful grove. The next is errand-fruit, as you complete requests from the townsfolk, and even get to act as a role model to a few of the inhabitants. And the last is farmer, as you care for garden plots and slowly rebuild and rejuvenate the town. We’re not quite sure how gardening works when you play a plant yourself. Kind of boggles the mind, doesn’t it?
This is a hugely accessible game, where you can activate ‘perish prevention’ to never have to worry about a misstep or death to an aggressive avocado. Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, you can spend them in The Grove, tending to your plants or completing a minor sub-quest. It’s deep, but doesn’t demand all your time.
We’re planning a review of Garden Story as soon as we can, so pop back to see our verdict. And while it is a day-one launch on Game Pass, it is also available for purchase. You can buy Garden Story from the Xbox Store for £16.74, while it is also available on PC, Switch and PlayStation.
While it’s only a little treat of a game today, a more significant set of launches are due on Game pass in the coming days. You can expect Escape Academy (Console, PC), My Friend Peppa Pig (Cloud, Console, PC), Overwhelm (PC), PAW Patrol The Movie: Adventure City Calls (Cloud, Console, PC) and PowerWash Simulator on July 14th, and As Dusk Falls (Console, PC) is coming on July 19th.
Have you been forming a verdict of Garden Story yourselves? Let us know what you think of it in the comments or on our social channels.
Garden Story Description:
Unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove. Traverse a vibrant island to combat invasive Rot, inspire its inhabitants, and rebuild your home. You won’t have to do this alone: fruity friends await, ready to lend a hand! Concord, the youngest grape in The Grove, is now a Guardian, and it’s their job to help restore the island. That’s a lot to shoulder for a grape barely off the vine… and more than a few inhabitants are skeptical they have what it takes. Fortunately, Concord has friends like Elderberry, Rana, and Fuji on their side! With their help, you can take on the dangerous Rot and find ways to encourage other residents to assist in the efforts. The Grove is your home, and your work will affect change for the better! Protect your friends, gather precious materials, and repair social ties and structures by bringing the fruits, fungi, and frogs of each village together as they work to fend off the Rot that threatens to destroy your home for good. Guide Concord’s restoration efforts and earn the trust of the community: help others with their problems, and they’ll offer you help in turn! There’s plenty of work to be done, but don’t forget to take time and appreciate this lush world and the fruits of your labor. Listen to the sweet and catchy music of the island, relax in The Grove’s cozy and inviting atmosphere, cultivate gardens and libraries, and enjoy the delightful personalities you’ll meet along the way.
