Mayor Felix says funky. How weird.
Rune Manufacturing facility: Guardians of Azuma wasn’t the one farming-flavored recreation I used to be in a position to go palms on with not too long ago. One other title I performed at a current preview occasion for developer Marvelous was Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, a remake of the 2010 DS recreation (on the time nonetheless beneath the Harvest Moon title). Because the title implies, the distinctive facet of this entry within the long-running sequence is the Grand Bazaar, a weekly market the place you’ll be able to promote the fruits of your farming and manufacturing labor. Contemplating myself a Story of Season-ed veteran, I used to be excited to see what the return of the Grand Bazaar had in retailer.
After assembly larger-than-life character Mayor Felix, the primary portion of the demo allowed me to discover my farm, among the surrounding areas, and Zephyr City itself. My first impression was that the visible facet of this Story of Seasons had been improved over the video games I’d performed beforehand, specifically Pioneers of Olive City and Buddies of Mineral City. A brand new glider software permits you to float down from increased factors in Zephyr City to different sections by catching a journey on the world’s signature winds. On significantly windy days, you’ll be able to attain locations which are much more out of the way in which. I used to be additionally in a position to take my horse for a stroll across the city and in direction of a race monitor space, however I didn’t get to partake within the competitors. One other impression I saved coming again to is that the gameplay simply felt snappy; it was simpler to do what I wished to do and the suggestions and outcomes of my actions had been extra instant and satisfying. It does really feel like there’s been a noticeable leap from previous Story of Seasons entries to Grand Bazaar.
The second portion of the demo gave me the possibility to partake within the relationship-building ingredient, with a complete of 12 romanceable characters (two of whom are new to the remake). My first interplay was with Jules, and the added voice work made the dialog extra participating and memorable. Once I reviewed Story of Seasons: Buddies of Mineral City in 2020, one among my main points was with the dearth of depth to the conversations and relationship occasions; in my temporary time with Grand Bazaar, I can see that rather more thought has gone into the dialogue and the presentation of those encounters. Sophie, the mayor’s daughter, was the second eligible accomplice, and this scene passed off inside the house she shared together with her father, offering some neat backstory on their very own relationship. I got here away feeling far more motivated to get to know the townsfolk seeing how a lot deeper and extra significant the connection ingredient of Grand Bazaar seems to be.
On condition that it has been about 15 years because the DS model of this Story of Seasons entry launched in North America, it is value explaining the important thing mechanic that distinguishes Grand Bazaar from different video games within the sequence. The titular Bazaar runs each Saturday and permits you to deliver your veggies, milk, eggs, and different items to market and promote them by way of a reasonably easy however enjoyable mini-game. Your fellow villagers turn into clients at your stall, the place you arrange a handful of things on the market and ring a bell to entice folks to purchase from you. As you progress via the sport, you’ll be able to broaden the dimensions of your stall and even enhance your earnings by way of a particular occasion bestowed upon you by the varied Nature Sprites. Raking within the bucks on the bazaar is far more compelling than simply dropping your gadgets off in a group field, and it is fulfilling to really feel like you will have extra management over the commerce facet of the sport.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar looks as if not solely an enormous improve over the unique launch; it is also a noticeable step ahead for the franchise as a complete. The enticing presentation and extra compelling relationship scenes complement the tried-and-true farming mechanics, resulting in what may very well be a should play for followers of the style. I am desirous to see extra of Grand Bazaar main as much as its August twenty seventh launch date, and we’ll have devoted Swap impressions as a part of our protection, so keep tuned!
