Mayor Felix says funky. How weird.
Rune Manufacturing facility: Guardians of Azuma wasn’t the one farming-flavored sport I used to be capable of go palms on with just lately. 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 sport (on the time nonetheless below the Harvest Moon title). Because the title implies, the distinctive side of this entry within the long-running sequence is the Grand Bazaar, a weekly market the place you possibly can 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 side of this Story of Seasons had been improved over the video games I’d performed beforehand, specifically Pioneers of Olive City and Associates of Mineral City. A brand new glider software means that you can float down from increased factors in Zephyr City to different sections by catching a experience on the world’s signature winds. On significantly windy days, you possibly can attain locations which are much more out of the best way. I used to be additionally capable of take my horse for a stroll across the city and in the 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 needed to do and the suggestions and outcomes of my actions have been extra fast 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 aspect, 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: Associates of Mineral City in 2020, one in every of my major points was with the shortage of depth to the conversations and relationship occasions; in my transient 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 befell inside the house she shared along 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 aspect 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 price explaining the important thing mechanic that distinguishes Grand Bazaar from different video games within the sequence. The titular Bazaar runs each Saturday and means that you can carry your veggies, milk, eggs, and different items to market and promote them through 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 possibly can increase the dimensions of your stall and even increase your income through a particular occasion bestowed upon you by the assorted 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 satisfying to really feel like you could have extra management over the commerce side of the sport.
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar looks as if not solely a large 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 might 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 Change impressions as a part of our protection, so keep tuned!