Okay, so hear me out. Studio Ghibli making a video game? Dream come true, right? But... also, kinda unlikely. Their films are masterpieces, pure art. Adapting that magic to gameplay? Tricky.
But aesthetically? Ghibli's style is PERFECT for gaming. Farming sims especially. Seriously, imagine a Totoro farming game. I'd throw my wallet at the screen.
Well, maybe we're getting close. Enter: Tales of Seikyu.
Think open-world adventure. Magical. And yes, Ghibli-esque. So what's the deal?
What's Tales of Seikyu All About?
The Steam description calls it a cozy adventure filled with warmth, nature, and magic! Sounds about right. They mention inspiration from Fields of Mistria and Rune Factory. Pretty solid company.
Farming is core. Decorating, too. And befriending the locals. You know, the Stardew Valley recipe for success. Speaking of which...
Stardew Valley Vibes? Big Time.
Crops? Check. Making your farm your own? Double check. Romancing the villagers? Yup, that's in there too. Gotta keep the people happy, right?
Some gamers can't live without that relationship aspect in these types of simulation games. Hey, no judgement.
Zelda Entered the Chat...
Now, here's where it gets REALLY interesting. I'm getting some serious Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom vibes from Tales of Seikyu. Specifically, the Kakariko Village aesthetic? Spot on.
Think about it. The art style. The colors. Even some of the character designs. It's subtle, but it's there.
Zelda's never fully committed to farming. Link got a house in the Switch games, though! Kinda close. But Tales of Seikyu seems to be bridging that gap.
What if Link actually settled down? Planted some Hylian Rice? That's kinda the vibe I'm getting.
It's that blend of adventure and quiet, rural life. Ghibli films nail that balance. And so, it seems, does this.
Is This the Ghibli Game We'll Actually Get?
Maybe. Probably not officially. But Tales of Seikyu really nails the feel. Whimsical. Cosy. Visually gorgeous.
If you're craving that Ghibli magic in a game? This might scratch that itch. No demo, sadly. So, no try-before-you-buy. Bummer.
However, the base game is only £20. Not bank-breaking. The DLC bundles bump up the price, though. Something to consider.
Too rich for your blood right now? No sweat. Wishlist it. Wait for a sale. We've all been there.
One last point. Think about the implications here. Indie devs taking inspiration from Ghibli? It's a trend I can get behind.
We may never get an official Ghibli game. But Tales of Seikyu shows that their spirit can live on in other ways. Pretty cool, right?
