Please make the game nicer (spoiler warning)

One of my only issues with the game is that it tends to be a bit of a jerk at times.

Asks romance to dance "ew no" Really? That's the response. You couldn't just say something like "sorry I don't really feel close enough with you to dance" or something like that rather than practically spitting in my face.

Then when I eventually get married.

"why don't we have animals"
"The house is a mess"
"there are no plants to water are you even doing anything"

And this when I'm a miner. My focus is on mining and fishing, that is why I have no plants or animals.


And then you complete 2 years Grandpa's spirit shows up and basically tells me that because I didn't complete a specific set of goals that were never told to me to begin with that I suck and he wished he hadn't given the farm to me.


I still love the game but it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth a lot of the time. Especially with the last two considering most of the time the game is very much about playing your way but then it cuts in and basically trashes you for not doing what it wants you to do.

I just feel like it would be better to tone down the negative comments in the game and with the ending maybe just list the achievements without Grandpa trashing you for not completing them. Kind of like a hey, here are the major accomplishments and how you did but it's still okay that you did your own thing instead.

 

You know..you're totally right.

 

Pfft hahahahaha. This is great.

 

?

 

I don't want to come off as a pansy but grandpa being disappointed in me hurts hahaha

 

I honestly wouldn't say it hurts but for me it's really annoying to basically be enjoying myself most of the game and then have the game come in and metaphorically slap me on the wrist for not doing things the way it feels I should have.

Not to mention it completely contradicts itself seeing as at the start he leaves the farm to us so we can live happily but then at the end berates us for not doing well enough.

 

Totally, yes I agree with you 100%. This is a minor issue that will be on the bottom rung in terms of priority, but yes, dammit. I want grandpa to be proud of me unconditionally.

 

i would have like to tell the ghost "well unlike you i wont die in an one room house!"

 

"At least I did something with that farm!!!! All you did was dump it all off on ME!!! Well I'm not you!!! Maybe..maybe I want my OWN LIFE!!!!"

 

True. It does come across a bit odd as well seeing the state of the farm when we got it.

Grandpa: Wow you did terribly.

Me: *glances at beautiful wife, kids, upgraded house, successful mining/fishing business and solid bank account* You may want to pull up a dictionary because I'm not sure you understand the meaning of those words.

 

I'd honestly love at least some sort of hint at what the hell dear old grandpa wants from you in the first place, rather than his ghost popping up to be salty. 8p

 

As odd as it may sound I actually like that it doesn't tell you. It allows you to just play the way you want without constantly worrying about all these per-determined goals. Then at the end it gives you the results which in turn work as a nice incentive of, okay now that you've done two years here's what you accomplished and some things you could have done kind of as an incentive to play more and now try and do those things. I just don't feel that berating the player for not having accomplished it is a good way to handle that.

 

Yeah, I can see that side of it as well - but at the same time, it feels a lot like being punished for something you didn't even know was supposed to be done, I guess? Like a professor reminding you of an assignment due that they never actually assigned. [freshman-year college flashbacks]

 

Well, to be fair the game does kind of subtly guide you to the traditional farming life and while doing your own thing is encouraged, it's probably not something you're supposed to do on your first playthrough. Also CA said the review is intentionally vague because he doesn't want people to be discouraged from doing their own thing. I think that there is intentionally a lot of realism with the character interaction which means that people are mean and they don't necessarily agree with everything you do because that's what people are really like. You can't make everybody happy. I think that's what makes the characters of this game so compelling, personally (but I completely understand your point of view)

 

Yes exactly. If I could continue to play the game and achieve those goals for him then I would be OK with it. But not knowing flat out kills it. Like, the only way anyone is going to get a perfect score is by looking it up first. Without question. Which is a spoiler. Which no one really wants. I want to get a perfect score but there's no way in hell I'm starting a new game for it. It's a good idea just poorly executed imo. Especially when the reward is purely cosmetic! I mean, are you kidding? No way.

 

I would say that is more due to the tone than the design.

For example.

Grandpa: You did terribly 3/18 I should never have given the farm to you.


vs.

Grandpa: I am so proud that you have worked hard to build your new life (insert comment about one or two achievements here such as you met a wonderful woman or you have a beautiful family or you've become so successful).

Then bring up a results page showing achievements you accomplished and didn't accomplish which in turn hints at the player of other things they could have worked on without painting it in a negative light.

It would make it feel more like the game is pointing out other oppurtunities rather than punishing you for missing them.

 

I agree - the idea is solid and I actually enjoy the concept of a two-year "check-up," but the tone it's delivered in makes me want to do the exact opposite of whatever it is Dead Grandpa wants, out of 90% spite and 10% annoyance.

 

I feel like Grandpa should've only been disappointed with 0/13. I got 5/13, and he told me that I tried, and that's all he could ask for.

I mean... I guess I did try. Even though I don't know what I did to get 5/13.

 

Lol. I know the feeling.... in fact hey Grandpa

*walks over and signs up with Joja*
*Grandpa gasps in horror as dramatic music plays*

 

My waifu was complaining to this simply because I used sprinklers to water my crops That was heartless. And then she still won't dance with me, lol. Had to cheat on her and go dance with another girl, oh well.