Unveiling the Fae Farm: A Thrilling Journey into Co-op Multiplayer, Enchanting Combat, and Beyond!

Fae Farm is an upcoming farm simulation RPG that aims to bring a unique touch of magic to the cozy game genre. While there are already many beloved life sims and farm sims available, Fae Farm plans to distinguish itself by offering a range of special features. Game Rant recently had the opportunity to view a hands-off demo with Phoenix Labs Game Director Isaac Epp, who showcased Fae Farm's crafting stations, coziness system, character customization, and more. The interview also delved into Fae Farm's co-op multiplayer, combat mechanics, and how it fits into the popular farm sim genre. Epp further discussed romance options, the use of magic, and other intriguing aspects of the game.

Q: Can you provide more information on how tool upgrades are done? In games like Story of Seasons, different levels such as copper and gold are present. How does this system work in Fae Farm?

A: There is some overlap in terms of concept. Initially, you start with basic tools, but as you progress and gain access to more resources in the game, such as minerals and other ingredients found in the world, you can visit Cinder, the blacksmith, who assists in upgrading your tools. This upgrade not only benefits you but also benefits other players, as it is announced and provides added value.

As you progress to each subsequent level, the tools unlock an enhanced level of magic. This is when they become truly valuable because they offer increased efficiency. With superior tools, tasks such as mining and shopping become more streamlined. However, it is the access to magical abilities that accompanies each tool, which truly propels your progress towards acquiring better resources at a quicker pace over time.

Q: Can magic improve tasks such as fishing, cooking, and crafting?

A: Magic plays a significant role in various aspects of the game. In addition to upgrading tools, you can unlock spells by obtaining the staff early on. These spells serve both combat and functional purposes in the game world and can even be useful in the homestead.

Another main area that is filled with magic is the realm of potions. Within the game, there are numerous types of potions that have a significant impact on various levels. These potions can either provide beneficial effects for certain activities or completely transform your combat abilities. For instance, you can cast a spell like Chain Lightning while simultaneously becoming invisible, effectively preventing any enemies from engaging in combat with you.

Another realm where magic can be found is in the culinary arts. By crafting certain types of food, you can enhance your ability to interact with the world and engage in a wide range of activities. Additionally, the coziness system plays a key role in enabling you to progressively increase the effectiveness of these interactions over time.

Q: I would appreciate it if you could provide some more information about how magic, especially the whirlwind spell, enhances farming and cultivates crops more effectively as a quality-of-life bonus.

In one of the demos, there was a combo that showcased an upgraded water cannon tool. This included the Water Bloop spell which allowed for efficient watering of multiple crops at once. When these crops were ready to harvest, instead of manually extracting them one by one, you could stand beside different fields and use the Vortex spell to harvest them all simultaneously. This method provided a speedy way to complete the task at the expense of mana usage.

The Vortex spell also proved to be advantageous in combat situations. It possessed a wide area of effect and the ability to push back enemies. Therefore, when faced with a swarm of enemies in a dungeon, casting the Vortex spell proved to be quite helpful. Additionally, this spell could even be used to gather grass and other items in the world, making it a versatile utility spell.

Q: Can players who are less interested in combat utilize potions to evade enemies and customize their gameplay preferences?

A: Certainly. We are passionate gamers who enjoy playing various games, investing countless hours into them. However, like with any game, there are certain aspects we would approach differently. Hence, we constantly strive to identify and implement small quality-of-life enhancements over time.

We are aware that different individuals have varying preferences when it comes to activities within the game. Take combat as an example. If a player aims to progress in the game and upgrade their tools and equipment, but they do not wish to constantly engage with the Jumbles, they can simply create and utilize Gone potions, which are our invisibility potions. With these in hand, they can effortlessly navigate through dungeons, focusing solely on mining without any need for combat.

At Fae Farm, our boss encounters are not focused on combat. Instead, they offer a unique narrative experience where players are tasked with preparing elaborate meals for them. Once the bosses receive the necessary energy from these meals to solve world problems, they become pleasantly drowsy and enter a food coma, which is quite endearing.

Now, regarding romance in Fae Farm, players have the opportunity to engage with six different NPCs. We strive to be inclusive and diverse in our romantic options. Rather than limiting players to marriage, we provide a range of choices for romantic relationships.

I'm excited to announce that all NPCs in the game, regardless of their gender or non-binary identity, are interested in players, regardless of the avatar they choose through the character creator. We consider our NPCs to be "player-sexual," meaning their orientation is based on the player. They are always interested in the player, and if the player reciprocates, they can support each other, learn more about each other, and go on dates. If the player reaches the maximum relationship level and decides to marry one of the NPCs, they can do so, but it is not mandatory.

You have the freedom to date any or all of the NPCs, even during multiplayer. There are some interesting dynamics where if two players are interested in the same NPC, it will be a first-come, first-served situation. If you want to be the one to propose, you'll need to go on dates, give gifts, and build up the relationship quickly, as each NPC can only be married to one player at a time. This choice is based on the logical flow of the story.

And there's also an interesting aspect that can occur during weddings. Since you are able to form relationships with various non-player characters, it is possible to have very strong bonds with multiple NPCs that can potentially be romanced. Consequently, when you hold your wedding ceremony, a significant portion of the attendees consists of those NPCs with whom you have developed the highest relationship scores. This means that all the individuals you have dated will be seated in the prominent front rows, gazing at you while you exchange vows. This situation undoubtedly adds an amusing touch to the occasion [laughs].

A: One of the aspects that sets Fae Farm apart from popular titles like Stardew Valley is our commitment to staying true to the beloved and expected elements of the cozy farm sim genre. This serves as our foundation. In addition, our collaboration with Katy and the talented art team has resulted in a truly stunning and unique world. The level of craftsmanship in Fae Farm is unmatched in the genre, evident in the meticulous attention to detail put into every rock and plant that you encounter. This showcases the immense care, effort, and love poured into the game by our developers.

As avid fans of the genre, we have made a conscious effort to incorporate small yet significant quality-of-life enhancements throughout the entire game. For instance, we have streamlined the use of basic tools so that players can seamlessly take care of tasks around their homestead without having to navigate through menus. With a simple press of a button, you can effortlessly carry out these actions. This refined experience will make you wonder why it wasn't always this way.

Furthermore, we have implemented an inventory system that includes a storage shed. When working on your homestead, certain items will automatically be retrieved from the shed, eliminating the need for constant trips back and forth to retrieve them from your backpack. These thoughtful additions, among others, contribute to an unparalleled level of user experience in this cozy game. It's a significant improvement that sets it apart from other games in the genre. Additionally, we have included co-op multiplayer, a feature not commonly found in this type of game.

Q: You showed me a bit of character customization. Is it possible for players to customize their fairy wings and if so, how does that work?

Another example of purposeful customization is the availability of fairy wings in the game. These wings can be obtained by interacting with a fascinating, magical character. With your own set of special wings, you have the freedom to create the desired look for your character. Moreover, acquiring these wings also offers a significant functional advantage in the game. By having wings, you gain the ability to double jump. This newfound mobility opens up endless possibilities in the game's vast playground-like world. Suddenly, you find yourself eagerly exploring areas that were previously inaccessible without the double jump ability. This demonstrates how customization serves a practical purpose rather than being purely for aesthetic purposes.

Yeah, another instance is also about feeling the freedom and urge to explore. It's like having the ability to dive right into the water, you know? Not every game allows for this kind of interaction, but we strongly believed that it should be possible because it adds to the immersive experience.

Q: Can you provide additional information about the crafting stations? You demonstrated the gem polisher, and I noticed other tools like a loom. How do these objects incorporate magic and operate in conjunction with it?

A: Many of these stations possess inherent magical properties that cannot be replicated through non-magical means. Whether it's evident in their animations or other aspects, all our stations are infused with a touch of magic. We simply enjoy adding an extra enchanting touch, which results in a generous amount of sparkle as well.

The interplay between the stations is intriguing because you may have encountered one station but not the other. As you collect your critters, you will place them in different conservatories based on their type. These conservatories will then produce resources such as butterfly dust or frog goop.

You can utilize these ingredients in various magical crafting stations, such as the cauldron. The cauldron allows you to create cool potions like invisibility or the Jar of Sadness potion. The Jar of Sadness potion creates a rain cloud above your head for a specific duration, which is not only adorable but also allows you to stroll through your farm. This offers a glimpse into how the magic flows through these stations.

Q: Can you provide additional insight into the array of enchanted beings players may encounter during their explorations? Considering Azoria's predominantly rural setting and the undeniably enchanting nature of the Fae Realm, does venturing further into the game result in a greater likelihood of discovering, capturing, or engaging with magical creatures?

Yeah. I believe you hit the nail on the head because as you embark on the game, you quickly begin to witness subtle glimpses of enchantment, followed by gaining access to even more magical elements and encountering more mystical phenomena. As you delve deeper into the world, unlocking new territories and acquiring various resources, the creatures, critters, Jumbles (referencing a specific type of creature), and the very essence of the world itself become infused with an extra touch of magic.

Q: How can Fae farm incorporate traditional Fae folktales and lore elements, such as Will-o-the-Wisps? It seems like there are Sprites in the game, including the Gloom Shade and Sun Sprite that players can come across.

A: Our game draws inspiration from traditional folklore. While acknowledging that some of these tales can be quite dark, we have intentionally created a game that contrasts with that. Fae Farm was developed as a response to the unsettling and unsafe feelings in the world. Its purpose is to provide a bright and safe experience for players.

Is there anything else you would like to contribute today?

A: It is challenging to pinpoint specific aspects because the game is vast and encompasses numerous systems and content. Therefore, rather than simply showcasing isolated fragments, I struggle to determine what to emphasize. Nonetheless, I anticipate that upon its release, players will embark on a delightful adventure together, mirroring the enjoyable experiences we've had playing as a group. I am eagerly looking forward to it.

Fae Farm launches September 8 for PC and Switch.