You can try out a little taste of this upcoming agricultural RPG for free on Steam right now, mere weeks ahead of the full release dropping later next month.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that make me want to try out a game.
Billion-dollar publishers can spend hundreds of millions developing the next big AAA title. They can plaster advertisements for it on every corner of the internet. They can even pay some big names to offer their voice talent to the project.
But all that pales in comparison to Hillshade Farm’s genius marketing strategy… because they put a little GIF on the Steam page of a cute fox stealing your crops.
Oh my god, there’s even a dog in one of the screenshots. I’m sorry, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but I think I’ve already found my 2025 GOTY.
Alright, I’m getting a bit ahead of myself here– what is this game even about, exactly?
Hillside Farm is an upcoming farm/life simulator from developer and publisher New Acre, set to drop in Early Access in just a few weeks, at some point in November.
Honestly, it basically sounds like it’s 3D Stardew Valley. You inherit a rubbish little rundown farm from your dead granpa, and you’re tasked with turning it into a slightly less rubbish farm. Did I mention there are dogs?
Speaking of dogs, it turns out that there are several different species of animals you’ll have to contend with. In fact, there are somewhere around 20 of them, according to the Steam description.
Not all of them are cute, cuddly dogs that will help you out on the farm, however. Those aforementioned foxes are adorable, yes, but they’re also pests that you’ll have to chase off in a bid to keep your crops alive.
If this all sounds great to you, then I have good news for you, because the devs just released a tiny snippet of the game for free.
Hillshade Farm: First Harvest is a “small slice” of what’s going to be on offer in the full release. It’ll allow you to take on seven of the quests in the main game, harvest fifteen of the thirty available crops, and even look after a bunch of the full game’s animals, including chickens, cows, dogs, cats, and horses.
No review consensus on the demo yet, but at least you won’t have to wait long to grab the full game if you like what it has to offer.
This sounds like a delightful way to embrace the cozy vibes of autumn! Free demos are always a great chance to explore new games. Looking forward to seeing how this agricultural RPG unfolds!