PGC NEWS

The gaming industry, fueled by the tech boom of the last half-century, has seen remarkable growth. But as gamers become more discerning, smaller studios have found opportunities to innovate, breathing new life into a sometimes stagnant market. Indie games, with titles like Little Nightmares, Hades, Don’t Starve, and Disco Elysium, have carved their own niche. So where does Deiland fit in? Does it carve its own path, or get lost in the sands of time? Let’s explore.

Simple and Engaging Gameplay

alt: Deiland screenshot showing the game's cel-shaded graphics and the player character tending to their crops on a small, spherical planet.

Deiland tackles a familiar genre: the farming sim with a touch of social simulation, reminiscent of classic Harvest Moon. While not reinventing the wheel, Deiland offers a unique spin. Following in the successful footsteps of Stardew Valley, it provides a charming and engaging experience.

The game’s cel-shaded graphics are visually appealing, providing a pleasant aesthetic. Your farm isn’t a typical plot of land; instead, you cultivate a small, spherical planet. This unique setting puts you in a lonely corner of the cosmos, tasked with building a self-sufficient life. The top-down perspective, combined with the spherical world, creates an interesting visual effect.

Though isolated, you’ll receive regular visits from quirky characters like Mun, your tool-crafting mentor, space pirates, and an eccentric pharmacist. Completing daily tasks, personal quests, and requests from these visitors earns experience points, unlocking new items, crops, and even environmental changes to your tiny planet.

Crafting and Customization

alt: Deiland screenshot showcasing the crafting menu, where players can create tools, furniture, and decorative items.

Deiland’s crafting system adds depth to the gameplay. You can create everything from basic tools like axes, shovels, and fishing rods to larger structures like houses and decorative items. The game simplifies tool management by automatically equipping the appropriate tool based on your proximity to interactable objects, streamlining the experience.

The four seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—each with their own unique characteristics and crops, add a dynamic element to the gameplay. Managing your farm across these seasons presents a satisfying challenge, keeping you engaged and preventing monotony.

Shortcomings and Missed Opportunities

alt: Deiland screenshot of the player character facing a monster in combat.

Despite its charm, Deiland suffers from some noticeable flaws. The repetitive nature of the quests, which often involve simple gathering and crafting tasks, becomes tedious, especially in the mid-game. Furthermore, these simple quests can sometimes create artificial difficulty, such as requiring winter crops with only one day left of spring. The inability to pursue other activities during a quest can feel restrictive.

The dialogue attempts a cutesy style reminiscent of Animal Crossing, but its implementation feels awkward and forced, especially with human characters. The spherical world, while initially novel, contributes to a feeling of confinement, which clashes with the game’s focus on relaxing gameplay.

Technical Aspects and Replayability

alt: Deiland screenshot showcasing the game's spherical world and the player's farm.

The inclusion of HP and MP bars feels somewhat superfluous, as combat and other challenging activities are minimal. Combat itself feels more like a resource-gathering chore than a genuine threat. While the background music is pleasant and fitting, the lack of ambient sound effects diminishes the immersive experience.

alt: Deiland screenshot illustrating the player character interacting with an NPC.

The “open world” aspect advertised feels misleading, as true exploration is locked until the main storyline is completed. However, upon completion, there isn’t much left to do. Most achievements, including hidden ones, are easily obtainable during regular gameplay, limiting replayability.

Conclusion

Deiland offers a charming and relaxing farming experience with a unique planetary setting. However, repetitive quests, awkward dialogue, and a limited sense of exploration hold it back from reaching its full potential. While enjoyable for a playthrough, the lack of engaging endgame content and replayability might leave players wanting more. With some refinements and additions, Deiland could blossom into a truly standout farming sim.