It’s no secret farming RPGs are my favorite video game genre. Growing up with Harvest Moon shaped the games I play today such as Stardew Valley and Graveyard Keeper. However, what excites me is discovering something new and sharing it with my fellow virtual farmers. Today, I bring to you, Hearthstead.
Source: Hearthstead
Hearthstead is a farming simulation RPG that is currently in development for PC. It boasts a fantasy setting in which players aren’t shackled to the mundane of everyday life and can explore creative avenues. On the Hearthstead website, a single photo exists in which villagers have congregated near a stream surrounding a beautiful pixelated mermaid. This peek inside the world of Hearthstead makes me wonder what other surprises developers Ricardo Chirino and Elías Chirino have in store for their audience.
The developers’ mantra is, “Let players enjoy Hearthstead in their own terms.” But what does that mean to us as consumers? Players have to ability to decide how they want to interact with the world around them. For many, that can mean improving their farm, making friends with the fellow villagers, or discovering lore about the town. Hearthstead will have that all and more. As with many games of this genre, there will be farming, fishing, foraging, town events, and even holidays. One will also be able to interact with unique villagers and uncover their rich backstories as well as discover achievements and collectibles.
Unlike many other farming RPGs, Hearthstead is proud of its available customization options. There will be hundreds of customization options for the farm, home, and character themselves. This includes accessibility features. If fishing is proving to be too difficult, one can scale it down or if players find that time moves too quickly, they can slow it down. The world is vast, and players are encouraged to explore it at their own pace. This drives home the idea that Hearthstead is crafted for players to take control of their gaming experience.
Source: Hearthstead
Hearthstead doesn’t have an official release date yet, but if you follow their Twitter and development forum for updates. You’ll get an inside look at how the game is coming along as well as learn of other fun games within the life simulation genre. Overall, I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of Hearthstead and I look forward to seeing what the Chirinos has created.
