Author: Lin Da Cat
This small but sophisticated ranch management game takes place on a "dragon's back", all the player needs to do is make the village grow, this regular management gameplay is mixed with interesting experiences such as moving villages, but there are some operational and guidance problems, and it is generally worth experiencing.
01. Small volume pixels
I was surprised when I saw the footprint of this game, over 90MB, which is also too small! At a time when the gaming footprint is expanding, I doubt that even pixel games can be made with such a small size.
But when I played for a while, I found that small also has small beauty, and if you can present a richer content with a small game, it is also a technology.
02. Behemoths adrift in the sky
So, this is the predecessor of "Wandering Madrigal"? But actually playing it, I found that there were still some differences.
The farm world created with pixels is full of the flavor of previous Japanese games - trees, grasses, rocks, lakes that can be fished, and this retro taste that provides the memory of the game world is really great.
The plot of the game focuses on the cause, development and future of "dragon's back", telling that human beings cannot live because the surface of the earth is occupied by giant beasts and pests, and human beings can only live on the back of dragons. As in other games, the player takes on the role of a heavenly character (who suddenly appears in this place) and needs to build a livable village on the back of a dragon in ruins, gather the residents, rebuild the house, and make the entire back flourish.
03. Accustomed to business play
This game naturally takes the management gameplay as the main play, and the management process on the dragon's back takes "cleaning up tree weed waste", "collecting various materials", "planting various plants" and "building villages" as the main line, bringing a colorful and very interesting business experience, in addition to fishing, breeding, exploration and other gameplay. Although it is also the same as "Stardew Valley Language", there is a feeling of going to work. This role "energy" as a physical strength value, need to sleep to replenish, no matter what action, it must consume a certain amount of energy. And a very interesting feature of the game is to control the "turtle" under the feet to find other dragons, so as to control the season.
In addition to management, combat is also an important part of the battle, and you can fight against pest beasts.
The operational aspects of the game, mapped to the computer keyboard, are also a combination of Z, X, C and arrow keys in the ancient Japanese game tradition. Z key to confirm (you can also jump over obstacles and float on water), X key to cancel, C key function key, can use equipped weapons, etc.).
04. Some questions
First, the operation of the game is slightly cumbersome. Since it is the traditional shortcut key mapping of ancient Japanese games, many functions of the game, such as menus and inventory, are integrated into these keys, which takes time to get used to.
The second is to feel that there is some delay in action. When walking, I always feel that I have to wait a while to receive the command to act.
Third, the novice guidance is not enough. The tutorial at the beginning of the game is too short, but it can actually be done a little more for beginners.
05. Brief summary of advantages and disadvantages
+ Small size, but bring a good business experience
+ Rich and distinctive gameplay content
- The operation of the game is slightly cumbersome
- Action delay and newbie guidance need improvement
06. Conclusion: Small but fine ranch management game
The game is not big, but it is very fun, probably because of my natural love for running games...
This small but sophisticated ranch management game takes place on a "dragon's back", all the player needs to do is make the village grow, this regular management gameplay is mixed with interesting experiences such as moving villages, but there are some operational and guidance problems, and it is generally worth experiencing.