What ifStardew Valleywere made by Studio Ghibli? Both are cozy, feel-good works that hide a deeper allegorical story hidden under visually pleasing exteriors. One indie studio on Steam has managed to combine the best of both worlds into one sweet little game.
Developed by No More Robots and Cheesemaster Games,Spiritteais gorgeous right from the start screen.It features pixel art andaesthetics reminiscent ofStardew Valley, combined with the Japanese countryside setting and mythical lore ofSpirited Away—and is worth a try for fans of both.
Spirittea Is The Perfect Intersection Between Stardew Valley And Spirited Away
Stardew Valley, If It Were Made By Studio Ghibli
Spiritteabegins with your character, a writer, traveling by bus from the city to the countryside to get some writing done in peace. You arrive in asmall, traditional Japanese villagethat’s to be your home for the duration of the game, complete with paper lanterns, a shrine, a vending machine, and even a karaoke bar.
The game even features thesame first quest asStardew Valley, tomeet all the characters. The beautiful art is filled with “clutter,” making the environment feel truly lived-in and authentic, and very much like both its game inspirations.
What takes this from a Ghibli-like adventure right into the realm ofSpirited Away, though, is the main setting where the bulk of the actual gameplay takes place: a stunning pixel-art rendering of atraditional Japanese-style bathhouse where the patrons are spirits and Yokai.
Spirittea Isn’t Just A Stardew Valley Clone
It Brings A Unique Gameplay To The Table
After drinking some tea, yougain the ability to see the spirits inhabiting the townand causing trouble for the residents. Instead of restoring a community center, your task is to restore the bathhouse, which used to be a place where spirits came to rest and recuperate.
Since people mostly stopped leaving offerings for the spirits, many of them have become “lost.” This is where the game shines in its true colors, showing thatit’s not just a clone ofStadrew Valley.
It turns out that the gameplay ofSpiritteaisless likeSDVand more like a management sim. You have to keep the bathhouse running by juggling tasks like maintaining the boiler, regulating the temperature, washing and drying towels, and more.
Make your guests happy, and they’ll reward you with money that you can use to buy decor, shop at the local stores, or revitalize the bathhouse. Guided by Wonyan, the floating cat spirit, you’ll work tobring the bathhouse back to its former gloryand appease the wandering spirits that had been getting restless.
Thebeautiful pixel artwork, often genuinely funny dialogue, and hectic but rewarding playstyle makeSpiritteaa must-play for fans of bothStardew ValleyandSpirited Away.
