Garden Story could have made its little grape hero stronger through fighting, but instead, it’s friendly connections that will help you grow.
As a young grape, it seems to be asking a bit much to have you act as a Guardian, restoring your island home. Rot has permeated everything and is making this place pretty unpleasant. However, I’m not talking about taking on some cleaning or gardening job. The rot actually takes shape and kind of tries to bite you. It’s a frightening experience for a lone piece of fruit, let alone one who really doesn’t have much strength to swing a weapon. Still, the island needs you, and your friends are counting on you.
I’d spoken before about how the island is filled with all kinds of people who need your help, giving you a charming crew to spend some time with. Gives you some better reasons to save the place than just because it’s a video game and you have to. However, helping folks and getting to know them doesn’t just give you spiritual strength; it will actually make you tougher. As you help people and interact with them in various ways, you’ll unlock equip-able memories that will increase your stamina and make you capable of taking a few more hits. It literally turns your personal connections into power, capturing the kinds of motivations that really keep people going when things get dark.
I thought that was an especially lovely touch while you’re rebuilding the island and fighting off creatures in Garden Story. Our real strength often comes from our connections with others, so turning that into a gameplay mechanic adds some great incentives to meet the game’s cast, but more importantly, shows us a real way in which we can gain the strength we need from our friends and family.
Garden Story is available now on the Nintendo eShop and Steam.
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