73
CRITIK
Put down roots on your new farm in the peaceful town of Forgotten Valley, and tell your own generation-spanning tale in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. Bring life to the land, find love among the town's friendly folk, and make lasting memories with a family of your very own in this reimagining of a beloved farm sim.
Game analysis
Critik Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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78
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
78
Positive (80-100)
70%
Mixed (50-79)
30%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Critics have mixed opinions on Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. They praise its focus on relationships and family bonds, with the game emphasizing family, legacy, and the passage of time. Critics appreciate the unique concept of experiencing a lifetime in the game, but some criticize shallow player interactions and a lack of depth in the town atmosphere. While there are concerns about clarity in befriending characters, overall, the game is commended for its immersive storytelling and engaging narrative spanning multiple decades.
Gameplay Mechanics
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73
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
73
Positive (80-100)
28%
Mixed (50-79)
72%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Critics have mixed opinions on the gameplay of Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. Praises include deep farming mechanics and diverse activities like fishing and cooking. However, some critics find the game shallow and repetitive, with limited depth for genre veterans. Overall, it offers a satisfying experience for newcomers to farming sims but may not fully satisfy seasoned players.
Graphics and Visual Design
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77
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
77
Positive (80-100)
48%
Mixed (50-79)
52%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Critics largely praised the updated visuals and colorful art style of Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life HD Remaster, highlighting the expressive character models and vibrant colors. However, some critics pointed out issues like pop-in, basic character models, and outdated graphics. Overall, the consensus is that the remaster successfully enhances the original game's visual experience with modern improvements, though not without some technical shortcomings.
Music and Sound Design
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73
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
73
Positive (80-100)
57%
Mixed (50-79)
43%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics have mixed feelings about the Sound Design and Music in Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. Positive reviews praise the charming and atmospheric music that enhances the game experience, while negative feedback criticizes the lack of variety and liveliness in the soundtrack. Overall, opinions vary on whether the music meets player expectations, with some highlighting its strengths and others pointing out areas for improvement.
Voice Acting
NA
TL;DR
voice acting
Description unavailable
Technical Performance
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70
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
70
Positive (80-100)
31%
Mixed (50-79)
69%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Critics generally praise the technical performance of Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life across different platforms. Nintendo Switch offers smooth gameplay with fast load times, while PC has minor hiccups but is playable. PlayStation 5 has mixed reviews due to some technical issues, and Xbox Series X receives positive feedback for smooth gameplay. Overall, players can enjoy the game on different platforms despite some technical shortcomings noted by critics.
Replay Value
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66
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
66
Positive (80-100)
28%
Mixed (50-79)
61%
Negative (0-49)
11%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Critics are split on the replay value of Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life. Some praise its diverse features and multiple paths, while others criticize its shallow gameplay and lack of engaging content. The game offers unique experiences and incentives for replay, but may feel repetitive for some players. Ultimately, its value for replay depends on individual preferences for farming sims and immersive experiences.
Overall Verdict
73
CRITIK
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Critik Score
73
Positive (80-100)
43%
Mixed (50-79)
57%
Negative (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life receives mixed reviews, with critics praising its charming community and heartwarming experience, but also criticizing its dated feel and lack of depth. Despite its flaws, the game is recommended for fans of the genre, offering a nostalgic and enjoyable farming-sim experience with some modern updates.
73
CRITIK
Reviews
67 reviews found90
GameSkinny
Jun 30, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review praises the game for its nostalgic and fresh features, as well as its inclusivity. It recommends the game to fans of farming sims, particularly the old Harvest Moon games.
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90
Destructoid
Jun 20, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is a remarkable experience that encourages a healthy work-life balance.
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90
Digitally Downloaded
Jun 20, 2023
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A Wonderful Life is an incredibly warming and good-natured experience with a strong sense of community. While the technical execution and some issues hold it back, it remains a wholesome and relevant masterpiece.
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90
Screen Rant
Jun 20, 2023
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Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life manages to maintain the charm of the original while adding and improving upon aspects that needed love. The differences between this game and other modern farming games may be divisive, but it's a unique journey worth experiencing.
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89
COGconnected
Jun 20, 2023
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The reviewer considers Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life a wonderful game and an excellent entry in the series. It is recommended for both newcomers and fans of the series.
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87
XboxEra
Jun 20, 2023
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Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life is an addicting and relaxing farming game with a solid gameplay loop and lots of replayability. It is considered one of the better farming games available.
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82
RPG Fan
Jun 28, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is a faithful remake with meaningful quality-of-life updates and is a worthwhile experience.
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80
Eurogamer
Jun 20, 2023
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The review concludes that Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life succeeds in recreating the spirit of the original game while elevating the gameplay. It describes the game as a comforting blend of storytelling, farming mechanics, and character interaction.
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80
GamesHub
Jun 20, 2023
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The game is praised for its profound design and exploration of living. It is described as a timeless experience with a sense of meaning and purpose. The review gives it a rating of four stars out of five.
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80
PC Invasion
Jul 5, 2023
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The reviewer recommends Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life to fans of farming games like Stardew Valley and life simulations like The Sims. The game has some minor flaws but overall offers a satisfying and enjoyable experience.
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