While the term’s been out there for a while, cozy gaming appears to have a loose definition depending on whom you ask. It could be a title designed from the ground-up with a more relaxed gameplay loop centered around cozy themes, or it could simply be a videogame that exudes vibes that make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The equivalent of wrapping yourself up in a soft blanket, sipping your favorite hot beverage, and listening to the spring rain tapping against the windows.
Whatever your definition might be, cozy gaming is at the center of Spry Fox’s upcoming Spirit Crossing. This isn’t a title where you “lock and load” anything, except maybe your favorite tea mug, not is it a game full of sweaty competition and progression. And because of that, Spirit Crossing has grown in my estimation to the point where I’ve genuinely become excited to see this release… some day.
Coloring inside the lines
If you were going to create a game with the express purpose of being cozy and attracting people in the mood for that, where would you start? I’d say the visuals because what you see (and, to a lesser extent, hear) sets the tone right away.
Spirit Crossing isn’t going the Palia or World of Warcraft route of chunky, stylized visuals with vibrant, in-your-face colors. Rather, it’s chosen a more restrained approach with graphics that look as though someone drew them with a pencil in an art book and then colored them in later. It’s got a very graphic novel look, and I dig it.
But these are more muted colors — colorful, yes, but more relaxed. More soothing. It’s a definite choice that sends a message to the player of the entire attitude of this game. You’re not going to be charging into this to gear up and zoom through zones. You’re here to unwind and soak up the atmosphere.
Friends 4 Eva
While you certainly can be cozy in solitude, you don’t want to create a game environment here everyone is in their own comfy prison cells and never interacts. On the contrary, positive and encouraging relationships with like-minded individuals can be quite cozy in their own way.
But of course, meeting new people can produce anxiety in us and open up the possibility of encountering jerks. That’s why Spirit Crossing focuses on a one-on-one system of “friendship” where nobody hogs the chat channel but you encounter people individually and gradually build up a community. Everyone appears dark to you until introduce yourself, after which they light up.
Then you can start working on growing that friendship, which is aided through “friendship gems” that are given out in limited quantities. Gems build up levels, which in turn unlock social features such as being able to follow each other on the train, emote with each other, and ultimately visit and even decorate each others’ homes.
Home shopping network
Obviously, there’s going to be some sort of housing in a cozy game, and indeed, Spirit Crossing has that. You’ll collect decor, you’ll fashion your home to your liking, and you’ll then wish you could live in it for real. It even gives you a virtual roommate — Roomie! — who hangs out and makes your pretend home feel a little less lonely.
Your home becomes part of a village, where your neighbors (hopefully) become your good friends as you see and interact with them regularly.
Of course, there’s plenty to do outside of your front door. You can explore the world, harvest resources, craft items, take a trip on the Fluffalo train, weather storms, play music, glide off cliffs, rock out at raves, learn about the mysterious “spirits” of the land, solve puzzles, go through seasons, and more.
Spirit Crossing isn’t exactly forging fresh territory here, as you’ll no doubt think of other games that do a lot of these same things. But it’s the combined package that strongly appeals to me, a cel-shaded world of wonder and positive relationships that call to the non-jaded MMO gamer that still may exist in our hearts. I can’t wait to see this launch and give you my full report later this year.
Do you love spectating and speculating about upcoming MMOs? We do too! Every week, Justin tackles another upcoming title on the MMO Hype Train with opinions, analysis, and blind fervent hope. Choo choo all aboard!Source link
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