Wylde Flowers is a 2022 farm life sim developed and published by Studio Drydock. It was released on February 18, 2022, for macOS as a launch title for Apple Arcade, and September 20, 2022 for Windows, and for Nintendo Switch. In the game, players play as a witch coming into her powers and discovering her new community. The game received positive reviews on release.
| Wylde Flowers | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Studio Drydock |
| Publisher(s) | Studio Drydock |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | macOS February 18, 2022 Windows, Switch September 20, 2022 |
| Genre(s) | Farm life sim |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editWylde Flowers is a farming life simulator. Players take control of a young woman with the destiny of becoming a witch. There is a linear story that leads the player to interact with various community members as they discover the secrets and conflicts within the town. Combat is not a feature of the game. Relationships and friendships are possible with townsfolk and there are several romancable characters from multiple genders. There are multiple settings for how long a day will last, so users can play at their own speed.
Story
editThe game begins with the main character, Tara, visiting her ailing grandmother to help care for her. Tara quickly meets all of the members of the town at the request of the town mayor. She learns how her grandmother is a pillar of the community and is later introduced to her grandmother's coven of witches. Tara is invited to join them and goes through initiation rituals in order to get to know the coven. All the while, a mysterious figure is attempting to gain access to the grove where the witches regularly meet.
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 82/100 Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive |
According to the review aggregator website Metacritic, Wylde Flowers received "generally favorable reviews" for its PC, and Switch versions.[1] Adventure Gamers says it had a "strong narrative core" but stresses that customization of the main character is only possible through clothing and hair styling during gameplay.[2] WellPlayed says the game is welcoming from the beginning and that the fully voice-acted cast is diverse and interesting.[3] Digitally downloaded is positive, but notes that purchasing animals can be tedious, if multiple are wanted.[4] Prima Games notes that the game starts slowly, but ramps up to a good pace after a bit. They also say the game is formulaic which is good for introducing new people to the genre, but could be a downside for veterans.[5]
Awards
editWylde Flowers received several awards and was nominated for more. It was an honoree for Action and Adventure Games and Best Game Design in the 2023 Webby Awards.[6] There, it was also nominated for Best User Experience. At the Gayming Awards, it won the award for Best LGBTQ+ Indie Game.[7]. Also that year, it won AGDA's award for Excellence in Ongoing Games. In 2022, it won Apple's Arcade Game of the Year[8] and an award for design.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Wylde Flowers". Metacritic. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Kostikyan, Greg (September 9, 2024). "Wylde Flowers". Adventure Gamers. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Isaacson, Mark (September 20, 2022). "Wylde Flowers Review". WellPlayed. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Mayhew, Lindsay (September 2022). "Review: Wylde Flowers (PC)". Digitally Downloaded. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ Benson, Madison (September 19, 2022). "Wylde Flowers Review - Time For a Magical Adventure". Prima Games. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ "Wylde Flowers". Webby Awards. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Dinsdale, Ryan (April 24, 2023). "Gayming Awards 2023 Winners: Cult of the Lamb Wins Over Elden Ring and God of War Stray, Wylde Flowers, and more also win big". IGN. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "Apple Arcade Game of the Year 2022". Apple. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Partis, Danielle (June 7, 2022). "Wylde Flowers and Overboard among winners at 2022 Apple Design Awards". Games Industry. Retrieved November 26, 2024.