Ashwood Valley

It’s a shame, really. This game had a lot of potential but nothing has been done with it. If anything, it feels more like a prove of concept rather than a full proper game. It feels rushed. It’s short. There is barely anything to do. While it looks cute, it just feels so very barren. It also appears that there will be paid DLC in the future, as there is an Extras menu that links you to the eShop, though I can not seem to find what it is going to be or whether it will me cosmetic only or add content to the game. I’m sorry, I just do not feel comfortable giving this game a rating. If you want to get the game, please look at some gameplay videos first. Even on sale, this one would be a hard pass from me.

There are some nice touches in Ashwood Valley: unlimited pockets are always welcome, and your little character happily runs around the valley, making exploring quick. However, the controls are unresponsive and slow to trigger, making the farming and animal management a tedious process. The main objective is too easy to complete, and then there is little to keep you truly engaged.

Yet another pretty weak tea offering trying to live on Stardew Valley and cozy vibes but that comes up short