Verdant Skies
- February 11, 2018
- HowlingMoonSoftware
- 18h median play time
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Get on itch.io Store"Verdant Skies is a life simulation game set on the alien world of Viridis Primus, where you help build a colony while pursuing romance and friendships with a diverse cast of characters. Customize your avatar and engage in various activities such as farming, genetic splicing, painting, and pottery. The game offers many skin tone options and doesn't require players to choose a gender when creating their character."
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Reviews
- The game features a diverse cast of characters with unique personalities and backstories, making interactions engaging.
- The gene splicing mechanic for crops and animals adds a fun and innovative twist to traditional farming gameplay.
- The art style is charming and visually appealing, creating a vibrant and immersive atmosphere.
- The game lacks depth and content, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience after a few hours.
- Character animations are stiff and robotic, detracting from the overall polish of the game.
- There is no real endgame or closure, leaving players feeling unsatisfied after completing the main objectives.
- grinding354 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in the late game where resource gathering can feel like a chore. While the farming mechanics are generally considered straightforward and less demanding than in other titles, many players expressed a desire for more engaging content to alleviate the grind. Overall, the game offers a unique twist on the farming sim genre, but it may not satisfy those looking for a deep or varied farming experience.
“Farming is a massive chore with farms scattered across the map.”
“The game has features for farming, mining, and wrangling animals but none of these really feel satisfying and once you've done it for a little while, it quickly becomes tedious.”
“There isn't a lot to do before it starts feeling like grinding to the next step.”
- gameplay214 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this farming sim is characterized by a blend of familiar mechanics such as grinding, farming, and social interactions, but it lacks depth compared to more established titles like Stardew Valley. While the gene splicing mechanic adds a unique twist, many players find the overall experience repetitive and simplistic, with some mechanics feeling unpolished or tedious. Despite its charming art style and diverse characters, the game may leave players wanting more in terms of content and engagement, often leading to a sense of completion before fully exploring the social aspects.
“The gameplay is fun and satisfying; it's a loop I'm sure we're all familiar with: gather items, sell them or use them to create more tools and equipment to make your items better and automate processes.”
“The world, gameplay, and artwork are fantastic, with music that is well-suited for farming in space.”
“The farming is fun on its own, but you can genetically engineer your plants to make super crops, which is a really neat mechanic that makes it even better!”
“The gameplay itself is boring.”
“Unfortunately, none of the colonists ever clicked with me, and the gameplay itself felt really stiff and slightly unfinished.”
“There's just not much gameplay or content to back it up compared to other farming sims.”
- story212 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as short and lacking depth, with many players finishing the main plot in around ten hours and feeling it ends abruptly. While the characters are well-developed and have individual backstories that add some richness, the overall narrative is considered shallow, with little progression or compelling plotlines beyond character interactions. Many reviewers express a desire for more substantial story content and quests to enhance replayability and engagement.
“But overall it's a nice fun game with a nice story, the characters are nice and rounded out and don't all feel like flat cardboard cutouts of the same guy with different hair colors.”
“The relationships are the heart of the game, and each new colonist who arrives has their own story and the building of the relationships with them and the way everyone wanders around just feels so natural.”
“The characterization and story events in this game are fantastic... each character has their own things going on, that develop over time.”
“The main story is pretty short, which can be a negative for some.”
“There is absolutely no story in terms of the actual colony development, no progression, nothing, and it's very disappointing.”
“The main plot doesn't seem to exist much and is basically just build everything on the map while using crops and animals to make profits.”
- graphics138 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant and unique art style that some players find charming, while others consider it quirky or even cheap-looking. Many appreciate the hand-painted visuals and the overall aesthetic, although there are mixed feelings about character designs and animations, with some noting that they can feel awkward. Overall, the graphics are seen as a refreshing change from typical pixel art, but opinions vary widely on their appeal and execution.
“The graphics are vibrant and simple with a fairly unique art direction compared to others in the genre.”
“The moment I started playing, the atmosphere of the beautifully hand-painted graphics and relaxing mysterious music invoked nostalgia, a distant memory I can only describe as what it felt like reading children's novels on a rainy day.”
“The world and art style are absolutely beautiful.”
“I set it aside, hoping I would come back to some added content, fixes to some faulty game mechanics, maybe some graphics updates... that was years ago, and nothing has changed.”
“It's just not for me... I don't like the art style; it looks and feels cheap, and I didn't enjoy the gameplay.”
“I suggest a complete overhaul of the graphics and gameplay before you can even comprehend spending £15 on this game.”
- music54 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its calming and nostalgic qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere. While some tracks are described as cute and enjoyable, there are mixed feelings about specific songs, particularly one at the game's end that felt out of place. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing positively to the immersive experience of the game.
“The atmosphere and music are so fun, and the space explorer element is a nice twist to the traditional Harvest Moon farmer sim style game.”
“The moment I started playing, the atmosphere of the beautifully hand-painted graphics and relaxing mysterious music invoked nostalgia, a distant memory I can only describe as what it felt like reading children's novels on a rainy day.”
“The soundtrack is amazing; it's weirdly sleep-inducing yet keeps you awake at the same time.”
“The song at the 'end' of the game - at the eclipse party - really jolted me out of my suspension of disbelief.”
“The music, up to that point, had all been without lyrics, and suddenly I get someone singing some song that's supposed to be meaningful, but just sounded awful compared to the tinkly background music that had been playing, and it was right in my ears (headphones).”
“I ran my character straight to the closest music player as soon as I had control after the cutscene to change it.”
- replayability28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is perceived as having minimal replayability, with many players expressing that once completed, there is little incentive to return. While some enjoyed specific gameplay elements, such as gene splicing, the lack of a complete story and low content compared to similar titles like Stardew Valley contribute to the consensus that replay value is limited. Players noted that the only potential for replaying lies in experimenting with different partner choices, but this is not enough to enhance the overall experience.
“I particularly liked the gene splicing aspect of the game, though I don't think it has much replayability.”
“I wouldn't say it has much replayability, but that's fine.”
“This genre is one you can usually expect to return to, but with a general lack of a complete story and a replayability that amounts to 'why?' I don't think I'll ever swing back to this one.”
“It doesn't hold the replayability that some of its predecessors have.”
“The game, however, is very low on content and one can't really expect the same replayability or longevity as its main concurrent, Stardew Valley.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by its relaxing, nostalgic vibe, enhanced by beautifully hand-painted graphics and calming music, reminiscent of classic farming sims like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, but set in a unique sci-fi environment. While many players appreciate the immersive and quirky elements, some feel that the overall atmosphere lacks the polish of other titles in the genre, with stiff character animations being a notable drawback. Overall, it offers a peaceful and engaging experience for those who enjoy exploration and creativity in a lush, vibrant setting.
“The moment I started playing, the atmosphere of the beautifully hand-painted graphics and relaxing mysterious music invoked nostalgia, a distant memory I can only describe as what it felt like reading children's novels on a rainy day.”
“If you really like games that have calming music and a chill lush atmosphere, Verdant Skies is definitely worth a playthrough.”
“This game contains everything I have been searching for: harvesting, relationships, a story, many tasks, collecting, no fights, peace, discoveries, fishing, different surroundings, nice style (better than many others nowadays), building a home and other things, producing things, a relaxing yet entertaining atmosphere that keeps the mind busy and immersed.”
“I also felt as though the atmosphere wasn't as beautifully put together as other games (i.e. Stardew Valley, Graveyard Keeper, etc.).”
“Main con is the stiff character animations breaking the atmosphere, but I can live with that.”
“It has the same relaxed atmosphere as something like Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley, but in a very different setting with unique plants and animals.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes a range of emotions, primarily positive, with players appreciating its relaxing and wholesome atmosphere. The writing is noted for its ability to create strong emotional connections, leading to moments of genuine care and even tears. Overall, it offers a stress-free experience that allows players to engage with their feelings without feeling pressured or punished.
“This game made me feel feelings, but primarily in a good way.”
“On the plus side, this game made me care so much about a character that I cried when I thought I hurt her, so you know the writing is good.”
“The gameplay is simple and relaxing; punishments in this game are virtually non-existent, making this game the perfect one to play when stressed or otherwise over-emotional.”
- character development12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and uniqueness, with players appreciating the customization options and distinct art style. Reviewers noted that the vibrant character designs enhance the overall experience, making them feel immersive and engaging. Overall, many consider it to be among the best character development seen in gaming.
“Loved the character development, and was working hard to splice good genes into my plants and expand my village.”
“The character designs in this game are just eye candy because they’re so unique and distinct.”
“Best character development I've seen in a game.”
“Tldr: it's not bad but remember where you are setting the game and then base your character design around that.”
“I talked about this a lot in my post for Dreamfall Chapters as well; when you free yourself from all white all the time, you suddenly have all this color and line and style to play with, and the character designs themselves in this game are just eye candy because they’re so unique and so distinct.”
“But the character designs in this are *ahem* out of this world.”
- stability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- -8 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally solid, with most players reporting no major glitches that disrupt gameplay. However, some users have encountered minor bugs, particularly with character movement and customization options, which can be frustrating. Overall, while the game runs well, a bit more polish could enhance the experience further.
“This game runs solidly with no glitches so far, which is impressive. If it were polished up just a little, it could be even prettier.”
“The game offers a lot of customization options for your character and house right off the bat, and it runs smoothly without any issues.”
“I appreciate that the game has a stable performance, allowing me to enjoy customizing my character and house without interruptions.”
“While this game is so much more than innocent life, its reliance on RNG, barely-implemented systems, and buggy interfaces make it so much less than it could be.”
“Lacking the main glue that would have kept me interested at the beginning, I got easily annoyed by some technical glitches that I would have maybe brushed off more easily otherwise: the walking pattern recognition is bad so the character always gets stuck somehow, there are bugs when you select your appearance.”
“Still a few glitches and bugs to go.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its quirky and relatable moments, such as the absurdity of breaking up with a large polycule to pursue a romance with a neighbor. Players appreciate the engaging dialogues with NPCs, which vary in comedic effectiveness but generally contribute to an enjoyable experience. Overall, the humor adds a lighthearted touch to the game's unique life simulation on a different planet.
“It's a little bit funny to break up with your seven-person polycule to go romance the sweet blind Latina next door, so I'm giving the game a point for the comedy there.”
“There are a lot of dialogues with the NPCs; some of them are really funny, while others can be a little annoying, but overall, during the gameplay, you get to know them.”
“Nice art style and fun gameplay, and the dialogue has made me laugh a couple of times. It's a neat take on a normal life simulation, being on a different planet, and so far it works.”
