From Crime-Filled Streets to Serene Countryside: Unveiling the Hidden Influences Behind Everdream Valley

Everdream Valley, an indie game developed by Marek Maruszczak, draws inspiration not only from the classic cozy farming games and life sims that have defined the genre, but also from titles outside the realm of farming sims. In an interview with Game Rant, Maruszczak revealed that games like Grand Theft Auto, with its stark contrast to the idyllic farming sim, were also influential in the creation of Everdream Valley. Additionally, inspirations from games such as Animal Crossing, Pokemon, the Ori series, and Studio Ghibli can be seen in the gameplay and visual elements of the game.

Everdream Valley Is Inspired By Grand Theft Auto's Freedom

The concept of player freedom is a crucial aspect that Maruszczak emphasizes when discussing the influence of the Grand Theft Auto series on a cozy farming sim. In Grand Theft Auto, players have the liberty to aimlessly explore the dynamic environment using various means of transportation, such as bicycles or stolen fighter jets. They can choose to disregard the main storyline and instead engage in activities like bowling, committing crimes, or participating in off-road races in the vast wilderness. Maruszczak values the sense of freedom that players experience in the game, allowing them to either follow the main story or embark on spontaneous adventures, reminiscent of the random encounters found in Fallout.

Everdream Valley embraces the concept of open-ended gameplay, while still incorporating structured quests and guidance. Players have the opportunity to engage in a variety of quests, which not only introduce them to different game mechanics but also offer both immediate and long-term objectives to pursue. The inclusion of minigames, similar to those found in Grand Theft Auto, seamlessly blends into the sandbox environment of Everdream Valley, providing enjoyable diversions from other tasks. In a recent update, the option to skip minigames has been thoughtfully implemented, catering to players who prefer to focus on the rewards.

Everdream Valley Looked to Animal Crossing and Pokemon for Collectible Gameplay

Maruszczak finds immense joy in the process of building and finalizing a collection, which is one of the major attractions of games such as Animal Crossing and Pokemon. Everdream Valley offers a plethora of items to collect, ranging from various insects, clothing items, decorations, fish, to farm animals. This aspect of the game appeals particularly to completionist players, as it provides a long-term goal for progression while they patiently wait for their crops to grow. Moreover, there is a sense of fulfillment in discovering that final missing piece of a collection, drawing inspiration from the influence of games like Animal Crossing, which also incorporated collectibles such as diverse insects.

The collection in Everdream Valley includes 30 unique species of butterflies, 16 varieties of beetles, and 12 different types of frogs. However, these creatures are not just meant for display purposes. They serve a functional role in the game, such as being used as ingredients for animal treats or fulfilling other in-game purposes. The game draws inspiration from Pokemon, particularly in terms of its collectible mechanics.

In terms of visuals, Maruszczak took inspiration from Studio Ghibli films, aiming to create a dreamy atmosphere. Additionally, the Ori series influenced the game's use of visual depth and clever implementation of parallax, resulting in Everdream Valley's enthusiastic utilization of particles and other effects. Overall, the game successfully delivers an aesthetically striking environment that allows players to embark on peaceful adventures.

Everdream Valley is available on PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox One, and is coming to Nintendo Switch on June 23.