Disney Dreamlight Valley
- December 5, 2023
- Gameloft
- 45h median play time
Get on SteamDisney Dreamlight Valley is a life-simulation adventure game where players can interact with beloved Disney and Pixar characters in a magical world. The Valley has been damaged and it's up to the player to bring back its beauty while uncovering secrets behind its disturbance. Tasks include gardening, fishing, cooking, and completing quests to help the characters.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Reviews
- story6,018 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story in "Disney Dreamlight Valley" revolves around the central theme of restoring the valley and its inhabitants, who have been affected by a mysterious phenomenon known as "the forgetting." Players engage in a variety of quests that not only advance the main narrative but also explore the backstories of beloved Disney characters, creating a rich tapestry of interactions and emotional moments. While the quests can sometimes feel repetitive and grindy, the game offers a cozy experience filled with nostalgia, character development, and ongoing updates that expand the storyline and introduce new characters.
“Great game for anyone into farming sims, easy gameplay, with a great storyline!”
“The quests are fun and engaging, and I found myself genuinely invested in helping each character resolve their unique storyline.”
“The story is really good, too.”
“Just by doing what the quests tell you to do, your entire save can be ruined and you have to start from scratch.”
“The primary storyline is sweet and heartwarming, but the game can feel repetitive and monotonous once it's been completed.”
“The storylines are very bare bones and the main story has been forgotten about as they add on paid DLC.”
- grinding2,048 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Disney Dreamlight Valley" has received mixed feedback from players. While many enjoy the repetitive tasks and find them relaxing, others feel that the extensive resource gathering and fetch quests can become tedious and detract from the game's charm. Overall, the game is characterized by a significant amount of grinding, which may appeal to fans of farming sims but could frustrate those seeking a more streamlined experience.
“It's actually relaxing and a full on 'take your own time' type of game, for once not stressing me out with short days and you need to get x or y done by the end of the day or else you're locked out of it for another year. It's not too grindy either, just enough to keep you working for money without forcing you to throw away your freedom for a shirt.”
“Everything is beautiful, keeps my attention, and isn't too grindy where I give up or get bored!”
“It is so much fun, and the storyline keeps it interesting and not too grindy.”
“It's great at first but the grindy way of progression kinda kills any charm it has.”
“The crazy amount of fetching random ingredients in such a tedious fashion...ugh.”
“You cannot do any content without buying additional items or earning them through thousands of hours of tedious gameplay with tasks like clearing the vines which achieve very little and would take months to open one realm let alone all of them.”
- gameplay1,486 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Disney Dreamlight Valley is a blend of familiar mechanics from farming and life simulation games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley, offering a cozy and engaging experience with beloved Disney characters. While many players appreciate the relaxing nature and depth of customization, some criticize the repetitive tasks, clunky controls, and the presence of bugs that can hinder enjoyment. Overall, the game provides a substantial amount of content and hours of gameplay, but concerns about monetization and gameplay depth persist among the community.
“The mechanics are enjoyable, offering you easy ways to get around the valley and many tools at your disposal.”
“The gameplay is fluid and there is really a lot of farming and many things to do.”
“The immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and delightful soundtrack make exploring this vibrant world a joy.”
“If you're a massive Disney fan, I think you'll still enjoy this game, but overall the development of this game has been going in a direction I don't like, focusing on making money off the player while delivering mediocre and non-meaningful content while still offering less mechanics and gameplay than other farm simulation games.”
“Multiple bugs, clunky controls, and even clunkier gameplay with lack of clear guidance hampers it from being relaxing.”
“The gameplay feels grindy and lacks interactivity, making it less engaging compared to similar titles it’s often compared to, like Animal Crossing.”
- stability1,222 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game is widely reported to be extremely buggy, with players encountering numerous glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including save-breaking issues, character freezes, and quest-related bugs. While some users express enjoyment of the game despite these problems, many emphasize that the frequency and severity of the glitches significantly detract from the overall experience, particularly on certain platforms like the Nintendo Switch. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, with players urging potential buyers to be cautious and consider waiting for further updates before purchasing.
“I've been playing on my Steam Deck and it runs great!”
“Runs great on PC and Steam Deck; colorful, snappy, great music; overall a lot of fun.”
“Even in early access, the game isn't too buggy, and there's enough content to keep me busy.”
“This game is so ridiculously buggy - you can encounter save-breaking bugs just by completing normal quests.”
“The only major downsides are the bugs (your character getting stuck, dialogue with villagers sometimes glitches/softlocks so you have to restart, game crashes, etc.).”
“Each update breaks things more to the point where the game is currently the most unstable, buggy, and crash-prone it's ever been.”
- graphics1,122 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Disney Dreamlight Valley" have received widespread praise for their vibrant and charming aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of Disney's animated style. Players appreciate the beautiful environments, character designs, and the overall immersive atmosphere, which enhances the gameplay experience. However, some users have noted occasional graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly on lower-end systems, suggesting that while the visuals are generally impressive, they may require a capable setup to fully enjoy.
“Beautiful world: the graphics are stunning, making every moment feel like you're inside a Disney movie.”
“The graphics are nothing short of breathtaking; they flawlessly encapsulate the magical essence of Disney.”
“From its vibrant visuals to its heartwarming storytelling, every moment in Dreamlight Valley feels like stepping into a beloved Disney classic.”
“The game sometimes graphically glitches.”
“My game lags so much I have to put all the graphics on low to be able to run okay.”
“I heavily advise against buying this game if your system does not meet the maximum requirements; I run this with an RTX 3060 and visuals turned down to the lowest and I still can't even walk five steps from my house without my FPS dipping to 10 and staying that way until I close it.”
- monetization744 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a "cash grab" due to the presence of expensive microtransactions and a paid DLC structure despite the initial promise of a free-to-play model. Players express frustration over the high costs of in-game purchases, which are often seen as unnecessary and exploitative, particularly in a game that already requires an upfront payment. While some acknowledge that the game can be enjoyed without spending additional money, the overall sentiment is that the aggressive monetization tactics detract from the gaming experience and undermine the value for players.
“Overall, I think it's a fantastic game with a boatload of content; it isn't filled to the brim with microtransactions and gives you all those yummy nostalgia vibes you're after, absolutely worth playing.”
“The developers seem to be passionate about their project; even though people are put off by in-game purchases (moonstones), they are not vital for core gameplay.”
“There are in-game purchases similar to a battle pass for things like the Halloween event, but it doesn't feel greedy, and I personally will have no issue continuing to spend money on this game in the future if it continues down the path it is on.”
“It's actually ridiculous and frankly pretty gross that the game is swarming with microtransactions despite it being a full-priced game.”
“The constant push for in-game purchases feels shameless and only serves to milk more money from players.”
“I liked the game initially, but I don't like this bait and switch from a free-to-play game to a full-priced game with DLC and microtransactions.”
- music588 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and nostalgic qualities, featuring familiar Disney tunes that enhance the overall atmosphere. While many players enjoy the enchanting soundtracks and character-specific themes, some note that the music can become repetitive over time. The inclusion of a streamer-friendly mode is a positive addition, allowing players to enjoy the music without copyright concerns.
“The immersive gameplay, stunning graphics, and delightful soundtrack make exploring this vibrant world a joy.”
“The music is lovely and nostalgic.”
“The music and atmosphere coupled with these characters makes me feel like I'm at Disney World and I constantly feel rewarded when I farm literally anything.”
“The music can also be a mixed bag.”
“The music and sounds can get a little repetitive and annoying, but this has gotten better with updates.”
“Music gets pretty repetitive, wish there was more variety.”
- emotional276 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Disney Dreamlight Valley" is characterized by its heartwarming storytelling and nostalgic connections to beloved Disney characters, evoking feelings of joy, comfort, and even sadness. Players frequently mention the game's ability to touch on deeper themes such as friendship, mental health, and personal growth, often leading to emotional moments that resonate with both children and adults. While the game is praised for its wholesome and relaxing atmosphere, some players note that certain storylines can be triggering, highlighting the balance between lighthearted fun and more profound emotional experiences.
“The story itself is actually really beautiful and heartwarming, something I'll probably be holding close to my heart for years to come.”
“It is an emotional journey for someone who loves Disney, and it has so much complexity to it, I don't think I'll ever get bored of this game.”
“I just finished the forgotten quest with the new biggest update and it made me very emotional, they put so much care in this game and I am so happy I get to play it.”
“There's really no conflict that makes it interesting and has a boring storyline, no hook to make you log in on a weekly basis to see what has progressed.”
- optimization126 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly on consoles like the Nintendo Switch, which suffers from crashes and lag. While the PC version generally runs smoothly for some users, others still experience stuttering and bugs, indicating that optimization efforts are ongoing but not yet fully realized. Players appreciate the charm and content of the game, but the frequent glitches and performance inconsistencies detract from the overall experience.
“Really cute and wholesome game, I have over 300 hours on the Switch and moved to PC due to performance issues, and I am very happy with how good the PC version is.”
“The optimization of the game is smooth and doesn't heat up my PC at ultra high settings.”
“The game runs smoothly on ultra settings and I've only met one minor bug which had a quick solution.”
“This game is still unstable, cannot be played for long periods of time on consoles without crashing, has buggy companions and quests, is unoptimized and often unplayable; it is currently not worth the price.”
“Switch users saw it first, with the game being somewhat poor in its optimization, but everyone else soon followed, seeing glitch after glitch after glitch, failures in optimization, characters phasing through walls or sticking up out of the ground even after the developers claimed to 'fix' these problems, missing collision meshes in the world, and the longer you look, the more it begins to feel like the whole thing is held together with duct tape and broken dreams.”
“How are you gonna put microtransactions in a barely functioning game full of poor optimization and performance issues all while charging $40 to play the game in the first place? Raising the base game price by $10 to charge $30 for a DLC is criminal.”
- humor120 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the quirky interactions and funny character dialogues that evoke nostalgia from Disney films. Many find the glitches amusing rather than frustrating, and the antics of characters like Donald Duck and Scar add to the lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, the game is described as entertaining and child-friendly, making it suitable for players of all ages who appreciate a mix of silliness and charm.
“It is pretty hilarious to call Scar a kitty cat and feed him fish though.”
“The characters are cute and quirky, and it is so funny to see them have a random conversation sometimes.”
“Every time he goes into a temper tantrum, I just smile because it's so funny.”
- atmosphere78 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and enchanting qualities, reminiscent of the Disney universe, with beautiful visuals and nostalgic music that create a comforting environment. Players appreciate the diverse biomes and charming characters, which enhance the immersive experience, making it an ideal game for unwinding. Despite some technical issues, the overall ambiance and engaging gameplay loop contribute to a captivating and enjoyable atmosphere.
“The atmosphere is magical, the music is incredible, you can completely change your appearance any time you want.”
“Its peaceful nature is truly a breath of fresh air in the gaming landscape, allowing you to unwind and lose yourself in its enchanting atmosphere.”
“From the atmosphere, the foraging, the quests, the characters, it all captivates you into this magical world you never want to leave!”
“With no indication this will be arriving in the future, there are elements to the game (atmosphere, collectables, and currently one quest) that some players may be restricted from enjoying if they don't have the flexibility to jump into the game at different times of the day.”
“The entire atmosphere is - I don't know what word to use.”
“It's a shame since I actually enjoy going back to this game for the slow-paced relaxed atmosphere it provides.”
- replayability46 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with many players noting a lack of engaging content beyond the initial story and limited online features. While some appreciate the potential for future updates and the creativity in customizing their experience, others criticize the current state for offering minimal replay value and repetitive tasks. The game may improve in replayability as more content is added, but as it stands, it is seen as more of a one-time playthrough with some ongoing events.
“Variety of events take place in the game and are playable for everyone; weekly challenges and daily quests also add to the ability to spend a vast amount of time in the game on a regular basis.”
“The replay value, even if you've completed the quests, is totally there too - there is so much creativity and control over how your valley looks.”
“Despite its bugs, this game is incredibly well crafted, and there is tons of replay value and hundreds of hours to be played.”
“The game is decent for a one-time playthrough, but the lack of online content and events drops the replayability, and frankly, it wasn't that high to begin with.”
“This game doesn't have much replayability outside of the free updates that add new quest lines and star paths.”
“So they plan to charge you $39.99 for the base game edition and an additional $29.99 for an expansion pass, which makes me wonder how many of the 28 worlds they are going to block off until you fork over the money. These worlds you visit are a super small part of the game that you're not even going to visit again unless you absolutely have to, because they literally offer zero replay value.”
- character development26 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highly praised for its impressive customization options and attention to detail, allowing players to create diverse and unique characters. The integration of beloved Disney IPs enhances the experience, fostering meaningful friendships and interactions with iconic characters. Overall, the character design system is considered fun, inclusive, and well-executed, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The developers have clearly put a lot of care and thought into every aspect of the game, from the character design to the world-building.”
“The level of customizations for character development are impressive!”
“Honestly, I was very hesitant about getting this game; I'm not the biggest fan of Disney and character development.”
“I would have liked to be able to import my character created in the Disney character designer, but it seems that will not happen due to it being the Steam version.”
“The character creation system and flexibility is better than most games, and they make an effort to be diverse in character design and clothing options.”
