Have certain crowdfunding games that you hope to do well, just because you think, “The world could use a game like this.” Lonely Village feels like title type. It seems exotic, relaxing and refreshing. Fortunately, this is a project that has delivered on its promises. However, it was simpler and easier than I expected.
Wes is a young wolf with a mission and destiny. They are the only ones capable of using a special magnifying glass that can reveal the secret of a majestic tower in Ubhora. This is quite important, as all the villagers are wrapped in statues inside as it rises out of the ground during a festival. It’s time to listen to a fairy friend who has, say, “Hey, listen!” – to restore the town while also socializing in your new home.
There’s nothing wrong with being basic.
Now, when I say simple, it applies to almost every element in Lonely Village. Minimalist character design, focus on strong lines and effective colors to make a difference for everyone. The basic features and information are also not too complicated. There is no defining trait that binds them to the puzzles that unlock them, and their backgrounds and personalities are the same. Mule villager. The story itself doesn’t lose acclaim, telling you what you need to know. The puzzles aren’t terribly valuable either, with each room running under 5 minutes and never more than 15. Additional activities, like fishing or farming, don’t require too much skill or tracking. seasons.
In a way, it enhances the calming atmosphere. Yes, there is an ominous tower in the middle of town. It is associated with a cult. Villagers are wrapped in stone statues inside. However, there is no pressure. You don’t have to worry about time limits. It is quite easy to solve most of the puzzles. Earning money or finding items to help with villager fetch quests is simple enough. Wes is the only one who can make this community whole again. But really, there’s no rush. If you had some time, could you reunite family and friends? Only if it’s not too much trouble.
It’s not lonely for Long
In the end I got the impression that it was probably designed to be an adventure game first for younger players or beginners. As the characters talk, there will be icons representing their actions or requests in speech bubbles above their heads. The puzzles I encountered did not rely on text for explanations or solutions. It’s like the first time Legend of Zelda-like, only a few more minutes without Ganon’s minions playing with Master Sword or Moon of Termina can destroy everything. This also means that life simulation elements are also minimal. They are more than things you can do to help complete the quests and get to the tower.
It seems that some quality of life features were eventually left behind by the minimalist nature. Bag space is limited, so you need to rely on extra chests or go back and forth to get some necessary ingredients. Intending to interact with a statue or save chest? You need to approach it from the right direction before pressing the button, otherwise nothing will happen. I also initially ran into some issues where I could get “locked” in a puzzle room and not be able to continue. But I’ve found the old failsafe of “turning it off, then back on” tends to solve any problem. A second glance through the script would also be appreciated, as I’ve come across quite a few cases where a line would repeat or have typos. (However, repeated lines can be buggy and can be fixed after an update.)
Lonely Village is pleasant. The world is bright and colorful. Even though everything around the town is going very wrong, there is no sense of urgent danger. It encourages you to enjoy the scenery and solve puzzles at your leisure. While that means it might feel a little too raw, it’s generally a good time. Especially when the villagers start to return and you have a chance to interact with more (virtual) people again.
Lonely Village available for Nintendo Switch and PC.
