In Grandpa’s Farm, the latest creation from Tyler Crumrine at Possible Worlds Games, players step into the shoes of someone who has just inherited a run-down farm from their grandfather. As you dive into this immersive experience, you’ll find yourself journeying through four years, working tirelessly to restore the farm to its former glory. Along the way, you’ll build strong connections with the locals and engage in heartfelt correspondence with loved ones back home.
The game unfolds through the seasons, with each turn represented by a playing card drawn from a deck. These cards introduce an element of chance, dictating the extent of your farm’s development. A face card signals the end of a season, while the suit of each card—whether hearts, clubs, diamonds, or spades—determines the nature of your progress, be it social, financial, agricultural, or infrastructural. As you wrap up each season, you’ll pen a letter to someone dear, weaving together a narrative that blurs the line between game fiction and reality. Whether you’re embarking on this journey solo or inviting friends to join you from afar, the game encourages connectivity by exchanging real letters, enriching the experience.
Grandpa’s Farm brings to life the same interpersonal community spirit often found in games like Stardew Valley. The relationships you forge with neighbors grow deeper with each passing year. Moreover, the game features an optional festival mechanic that breathes life into the small-town community. Participating in these festivals can offer strategic advantages, helping you extend your playtime and make substantial progress on your farm.
One of the standout features of Grandpa’s Farm is its worldbuilding aspect. Before you delve into the main gameplay, you’ll engage in a phase that asks introspective questions like “What are you leaving behind to live on the farm?” or “What will be easier or harder for you there?” This phase allows players to deeply connect with their character, crafting a rich identity before the game even kicks off. Questions about the community further enhance the sense of a living, breathing world that existed long before—and will continue long after—your character’s journey.
Echoing the minimalistic charm of other Possible Worlds creations, Grandpa’s Farm comes as a handy pocket-sized paperback, measuring 4.5 by 5.5 inches and spanning just 30 pages. Despite its compact form, the game delivers a robust and thoroughly engaging experience. This signature approach is evident in past titles from Possible Worlds, like the My Hero Academia-inspired Single Unique Power or Wishless, which imagines a world reeling from the consequences of everyone having been granted three wishes.
