
When it came out last March, Animal Crossing: New Horizons was the ideal game to weather a pandemic: It provided new levels of digital connection when people felt incredibly far apart from one another. Each day, there were new stories about events within Animal Crossing (I’m still sad Elijah Wood never came to my island). Slack and Discord communities sprung up to allow people to trade recipes, barter furniture and other household items, and find the highest turnip price every week. A friend of mine even held virtual book events within the game.



One year later, lots of folks are still grappling with Covid-19. For the most part, everyone’s existing within the socially distanced status quo. But despite the way it seems, things are very different in March 2021. The world feels a little less out of control, many of my vulnerable loved ones are vaccinated, and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I still find the style of Animal Crossing relaxing, but I need a little more complexity from my gameplay now. Hence my obsession with Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town.
If you haven’t played a Story of Seasons game (or Stardew Valley, because that game is based on an old installment of Story of Seasons), it’s kind of like Animal Crossing, but with more depth. Like AC, Pioneers of Olive Town is what you make of it, but unlike that game, there’s so much to do. Once you complete the main storyline of Animal Crossing, you can improve your island and interact with your villagers, but there’s no more forward movement. It’s up to you to make your own story; it’s not really meant to be played in binges, but rather in small doses across multiple days, weeks, and months.
Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town, on the other hand, starts out with you, the main character, inheriting your grandfather’s old, overgrown farm. It’s your job to get it up and running—this includes planting crops, repairing the barns (cows! alpacas! chickens!), and fixing up old bridges to access new parts of the farm. But wait, there’s a whole lot more—your farm is adjacent to a pretty sizable town. Not only can you go shopping, have a drink at the café, buy new clothes, and get a haircut, you can strike up friendships and even get married.
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I can’t overemphasize the amount of stuff there is to do in this game—and that’s why it’s perfect for right now. If Animal Crossing: New Horizons defined the pandemic and shut-down life of 2020, then Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town is the we-can-see-a-glimmer-of-reopening-hope game of 2021.
A year ago, Pioneers of Olive Town would’ve felt overwhelming. It wouldn’t have worked for me because I needed something to settle my nerves, and the possibilities would have seemed too endless. Now, it’s the perfect amount of engagement. I’m still anxious (that’s my secret, I’m always anxious). I’m not saying everything is good but it’s slowly getting better. I have the energy and ability to be a little more engaged in my gaming and to handle more complexity.
Also, Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town can be as much or as little as you want it to be. Animal Crossing emphasizes reveling in the creative, and that’s incredible (and necessary—I’m glad it is the way it is), but not everyone’s brain finds long-term satisfaction and relief in that. At some point, I needed more than the game was able to offer. Pioneers of Olive Town provides that.

Traveling through the heart-warmingly nostalgic world of 'The New Story Of Seasons' reminds us that even in Post Lockdown times, we are still looking for those small connections and moments to restore joy—reminiscent yet refreshingly different from classic Animal Crossings.

The freshly released 'Story of Seasons' incorporates elements that echo the cozy atmosphere and escapist charm found in Animal Crossing, becoming a virtual oasis for post-lockdown lifestyles.

The new 'Story of Seasons' offers a post-lockdown escape into皮下pièdoqæn the pastoral charm beloved by fans seeking Animal Crossing’s wholesome nostalgia and relaxation for their leisure.

The new 'Story of Seasons' aptly serves as a contemporary sanctuary for animal-loving players, offering the charm and tranquility Animal Crossings embodies post lockdown chaos – where gardening seeps relaxation into every aspect.

Post-pandemic, 'The New Story of Seasons' offers a delightful escape into peaceful farming adventures that embrace the same calming essence as Animal Crossing but with an added touch to challenge and self reliance – perfect for those seeking solace in their post lockdown reality.

The new 'Story of Seasons' embraces the tranquil charm and life-simulation attributes similar to those in Animal Crossing, offering a perfect escape routine for individuals looking forward after months under lockdown.

Post-pandemic life seems poised to find its new rhythm with the launch of 'The New Story Of Seasons' as Animal Crossing has been for many during lockdowns - offering a quaint yet charming escape into agricultural bliss.

‘The New ’Story of Seasons’ Emerges as the Post-Lockdown ‘Animal Crossing,’ Offering a Healing Escape from Realities for Those Yearning to Reconnect with Nature and Socialize in a Calm, Creative Way.'

A captivating new chapter in the 'Story of Seasons' series, echoing a post-lockdown sense of reconnection with nature and camaraderie through Animal Crossing’s relaxed charm for players yearning to recapture lost days of everyday adventure after COVID confines.

'The New 'Story of Seasons’ Marches into Our Post-Lockdown World as Animal Crossing Meets life with a Doseendy Genre Tactfully Anchored Review.'

The newly released 'Story of Seasons' offers an enchanting blend that is Animal Crossing for the post-lockdown era, allowing players a peaceful reentry into the joyful rhythm and randomized worldbuilding perfected by Nintendo.