Backyard Simulator does what it says on the tin. Fed up with the rat race, and with a really pointed reference to the COVID-19 pandemic, the primary character has needed to earn a living from home for the previous few months and is combating worsening psychological well being. They transfer to their household’s outdated homestead to revive it and enhance their very own high quality of life, and also you’re thrown straight into some gardening.
The backyard is small at first, however you should purchase extensions which wrap all the best way round the home. Whereas some objects within the in-game catalogue can be found right away so that you can be taught the mechanics, others should be unlocked. The factors for unlocking every merchandise, each ornamental and practical, is within the catalogue, which takes the guesswork out of issues, nevertheless it’s normally to develop X quantity of a sure crop or one thing related.
Duties are despatched to the mailbox on the home, which gives some focus for gameplay, however these may be fairly mundane and are not notably difficult to attain. They reward you with expertise factors and backyard cash. Levelling up provides a talent level, which may be spent to enhance sure facets of gardening life; bettering watering effectivity, elevated funds from harvesting, and so on.
It is actually enjoyable to plan out and design your backyard; veggies go on this spot, flowers would look good over there. You may plant within the floor, raised beds, and pots. All the pieces feels fairly lifelike, however the controls appear to have a extremely laborious time letting you place issues down with any precision, which might actually destroy a complete imaginative and prescient.
Backyard Simulator is low threat, low reward, however extremely addictive. We spent hours earlier than we even realised it, and located the expertise to be completely enjoyable; precisely what the small plot of the sport units out to attain. Whereas it’s good to potter round your small backyard and admire your crops, it does really feel considerably tedious after some time. Duties are typically repeated in some type or one other, and there’s no variation in season or climate. Every single day is similar. It looks like a trick has been missed with this, and that a lot extra might have been carried out by including this in, together with some backyard pests.