GamesSimulationThis gentle, calming gardening life sim is just what I need to decompress and relaxWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesSimulationThis gentle, calming gardening life sim is just what I need to decompress and relaxWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Mooncat Games)
Designed to be played a little bit each day, The Garden Path runs in time with real-world clock, but I love the way it encourages me to slow things down and take my time. I never feel pressured to complete its goals or objectives, and nothing too demanding is ever asked of me. Whenever I want to step away, I can leave it and later pick things up right where I left off. Essentially, the garden lets me set my pace, which I’ve come to appreciate more and more. Lately, I’ve been turning to this little gem of a game a lot when I need to unwind and switch off, and it’s slowly but surely helping me in much the same way asAnimal Crossing: New Horizons.
Growing
(Image credit: Mooncat Games)
At the start of The Garden Path, I create my own character and learn how to interact with the garden. When I want to gather resources I see around the landscape, for example, I can focus on plants, with options to harvest or record them. Doing the latter will help me learn more about the flora and fauna I come across - I actually find it very relaxing to simply run around the place recording every tree, flower, or shrub I find. To harvest certain plants, I need to use the right tools, which I can only get my hands on with the help of some new-found friends.
(Image credit: Mooncat Games)
Indie Spotlight(Image credit: Skybound Games)Closer the Distance is an emotional, heartfelt Sims-like adventure about loss and grief that moved me to tears several times.
Indie Spotlight
(Image credit: Skybound Games)Closer the Distance is an emotional, heartfelt Sims-like adventure about loss and grief that moved me to tears several times.
(Image credit: Skybound Games)
Closer the Distance is an emotional, heartfelt Sims-like adventure about loss and grief that moved me to tears several times.
The characters you can meet are undoubtedly a big highlight, not unlike the villagers in Animal Crossing. Every time I step back into The Garden Path, I run around to see who I might meet next, from the suspicious frog Tabbal, to Molly who has an onion for a head, and a monkey called Bunk who gives me some tea. All of them have their own personalities and they’ll sometimes ask you for help with set tasks to complete. It’s a delight to speak to each and every one of them so far, and I can’t wait to see who else may pay a visit the next time I boot up the game.
Written in the stars
(Image credit: Mooncat Games)
As you go about trying things out and completing goals, you’ll also unlock stars in the sky that act as in-game achievements. This can be everything from harvesting a certain amount, to planting seeds, and speaking to a number of folk. You can also track stars you haven’t yet unlocked to give yourself additional goals, which is a nice touch if you want some more direction.
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(Image credit: Mooncat Games)
As a garden that’s yours to grow and shape, you can also place down decorations and make it your own. In this world, there’s no set currency, but folk will trade you all manner of things for different resources, including more ornaments you can place down anywhere you like. It can take a little spell to get used to the controls and learn the ins and outs of the menu and what resources are needed for trading, but everything works quite well on the Switch.
I’ve really been taking my time with The Garden Path, which is really how it’s designed to be experienced. As someone with generalized anxiety, I often find myself feeling especially restless at night, or in the early hours of the morning. And lately, I’ve been reaching for Carrot’s Cake’s charming life sim to get some breathing space. If you’re looking for a quiet, slower paced experience that you can get lost in for a time, and you’re a fan of gardening, this is just the ticket for you.
The Garden Path is out now on PC and Switch. To see what else we’ve been enjoying this year so far, head on over to ourIndie Spotlightseries.
TOPICSIndie Spotlight
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CATEGORIESPC GamingNintendo SwitchPlatformsNintendo
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Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”