Taste japanese rural life in this cozy Apple Arcade game

The Japanese Rural Life Adventure game launched recently as a humble little title on Apple Arcade is a peaceful retreat into the heart of Japan’s countryside. It’s a pixelated homage to the quiet beauty of rural Japan, offering players a look at Mount Fuji, albeit in its pixelated glory.

The game, designed by Game Start, borrows elements from its predecessors like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley, blending them into a unique narrative of rural revival.

Set in a retro mountainside town, the player assumes the role of a young individual settling into a dilapidated cabin. The journey begins with tasks to revive this humble abode and the surrounding lands. The gameplay, docked in the spirit of self-sufficiency, involves cultivating crops, fishing, and refurbishing the cabin. The essence of the game lies in its laid-back approach, allowing players to immerse at their own pace.

As the narrative unfolds, players engage more with the town and its primarily elderly inhabitants. The player’s actions revitalize the city, restoring shrines, businesses, and even a school. This revitalization gradually attracts more residents, enhancing the town’s vibrancy. The game evolves from simple fishing and farming to more complex activities like processing wheat and rice and wildlife photography.

Rural Life Adventure’s charm is amplified by its suitability for mobile gaming. Designed for one-handed play in portrait mode, it offers an intuitive interface where tasks like fishing and cooking are simplified yet satisfying. However, the game does streamline certain aspects of mobile compatibility, such as character development and customization options. This may deter those seeking a more detailed simulation of rural life.

The game joins a series of cozy-style games on Apple Arcade, standing alongside Stardew Valley and Hello Kitty Island Adventure. It offers a refreshing pause from the bustling world, focusing on the simple joys of rural living. While the digital Mount Fuji remains a distant goal, the journey there is filled with small, fulfilling tasks, making “Japanese Rural Life Adventure” a cozy expedition into the heart of rural Japan.

The game is available on Mac, iPhone and Apple TV via Apple Arcade.