I’m not completely positive I wanted one other sport to sink hours of my life into, however I feel I’ve discovered one in Fields of Mistria. The farming sim from NPC studio has launched a demo as a part of Steam Subsequent Fest, and can enter Early Entry on August 5.

Fields of Mistria is basically Stardew Valley with added magical talents and the bonus of having the ability to each bounce and swim. You play as an adventurer who has answered the decision for somebody to come back and assist rebuild Mistria after an earthquake has reduce it off from the surface world. 

As somebody who has sunk many, many hours into Stardew, I can’t assist however draw enormous parallels between the 2 video games. The pixel artwork model is clearly comparable, as are the motion model, instruments, and extra. Nonetheless, Fields of Mistria does provide just a few issues that Stardew Valley doesn’t. 

You possibly can go bug looking, for one factor. It’s one thing I received fairly good at in my hours enjoying Palia, so I’m excited to go and seize some butterflies in Mistria. You aren’t restricted to the land in Fields of Mistria, both. You possibly can bounce, for starters, one thing which instantly crammed me with pleasure, and you too can swim. 

Swimming comes into its personal in terms of catching sure fish, just like the Crayfish wanted for the primary request within the demo. To catch a Crayfish, you’ll must go diving in a dive spot, earlier than popping up with one in your hand. The fishing sport itself is paying homage to Animal Crossing, the place you’ll want to fish instantly in entrance of fish formed shadows, which is able to nibble on the bait a few occasions earlier than biting. 

Among the finest issues about Fields of Mistria is the truth that you’ll be able to change your look at any time. Your character is absolutely customizable, and all the clothes objects are available numerous colours, so you actually can design your little pixel self in your personal picture. There’s no fee to be made or quest to unlock this function, and you’ll even make preset outfits.

Fields of Mistria isn’t in need of issues to do, both. There’s a complete museum to fill with crops, forageables, fish, and objects (once more, very Animal Crossing), plus villager requests to satisfy. These villagers themselves are romanceable, too. Even the Guardian Dragon, Caldarus, is romanceable, although I’m selecting to not assume an excessive amount of about that.

There are small issues which set Fields of Mistria aside from Stardew Valley, as nicely. There’s a really cute animation which occurs every time you select to fall asleep, together with your character yawning and blinking just a few occasions earlier than drifting off. I do know this can be a small factor to note, however the particulars matter.

As you progress by the times in Fields of Mistria, you’ll earn Renown which is able to finally improve your stage and village rank. You start at Wooden rank, and every time you improve your stage, a reward turns into obtainable within the chest subsequent to the Request Board on the town. 

Like I stated, I wasn’t searching for a sport to sink hours into once I downloaded Fields of Mistria, however I can positively see myself doing simply that, particularly as soon as it enters early entry in August. It should probably by no means steal my coronary heart away from Stardew Valley completely, however it may very nicely are available at an in depth second, relying on the primary story and whether or not it receives updates sooner or later. 

The one draw back to the Fields of Mistria demo is the truth that you solely get three in-game days to play. I discovered that I couldn’t discover all the areas on this time, not to mention become familiar with any of the options or make associates with all the villagers. I’m excited for the Early Entry launch in August and I’ll positively be there on day one, able to actually bounce again into motion in Mistria.

The Subsequent Fest demo options some issues which received’t be obtainable instantly within the full launch, such because the mines being unlocked right away, spells prepared for use, and a few instruments at your disposal as quickly as you arrive.