Game: Grow: Song of the Evertree
Genre: World Crafting, Sandbox, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam, PS4 & Xbox One)
Developers | Publishers: Prideful Sloth | 505 Games
Age Rating: US E | EU 3+
Price: US $29.99 | UK £24.99 | EU € 29,99
Release Date: November 16th, 2021 (February 22nd 2022 Switch retail boxed version)
Review code used, with many thanks to Stride PR.
Grow: Song of the Evertree is a crafting simulation game. A while ago, we had the chance to try out a preview version of the game on Steam, and you can find the preview article here. I enjoyed the preview and was eager to play the full game for a review. So let’s get started. And if you’ve already bought the game, here’s our guide!
Song of the Evertree
Grow: Song of the Evertree is an open world sandbox game. You are an apprentice alchemist, and you have an important job to do. The Evertree is the source of all life in the land of Alaria. However, the once splendid Tree with many worlds residing in its branches is now nothing more than a faded sapling. The Song of Myora, which caused the energy to flow around the world of Alaria, has been shattered by the Withering. The Withering takes the form of huge purple vines that have encased the Tree and the world around it.
Being the only alchemist left in the land, it’s up to you to bring the Evertree and the Song of the Evertree back to their former glory. After starting the game and customising your character, which includes choosing body shape and gender preferences, it’s off to the Evertree to plant your first life seed.
Friendly Talking Book and Copperpot
You’re not alone in your quest to save the Evertree as a friendly talking Book and Copperpot, an alchemy pot, offer help. With tools in hand, you’ll spend a lot of time in the branches of the Evertree, tending to the Tree and gaining resources. Resources that you’ll put to good use by building villages around the Tree’s base with the help of the Elderkin, a small species who are the keepers of the Evertree.
Essences and Myora
By supplying the Elderkin with Essences and Myora, which you receive from tending the Evertree, they will help build up the villages for the new residents arriving. Fulfil quests for the new inhabitants and customise their homes and make sure everyone is happy. Concoct new Evertree seeds via alchemy with Cooperpot and grow more of the branches on the Evertree.
Individual Biomes
The branches on the Evertree are like individual biomes; during alchemy, you pick from the resources and items you have collected and extract their essence. The essence is then used to create a world seed with Copper pots help. The essence comes in all sorts of flavours, such as Prickly, Warm, Tranquil and so on.
Depending on what essence and how much of each essence you use to create a world seed will create different biomes. From desert biomes, or you could have a snowy frosty biome to one blossoming in spring. I love experimenting with Copper pot and making seeds, it is a great addition to the game and you are never sure what the seed will turn out like, I like the element of surprise it brings into the game.
Hints of AC and Yonder
The game has hints of Animal Crossing and Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, developer Prideful Sloth’s previous game. You are free to set your course and your own pace in the game. There is plenty to do between tending to the Evertree, fulfilling quests and exploring. With dungeons to plunder for loot with a puzzle to complete at the end. Without any combat in the game, and it’s all very peaceful and calm.
It isn’t a game that would suit every gamer, especially if you find doing fetch quests and collecting resources a chore. But for those of us that do like that in gameplay, the game gives us it all.
Watching the world grow and come back to life as you tend to the Tree and the areas below is satisfying and fun. But, of course, you can also pet and play with any creatures you encounter, including the beautiful flying beast Kazumi. Who doesn’t like doing that!
Visuals and Controls
Music and visuals are stunning in the game. Unfortunately, there are a few framerate jiggles, and I have seen a few NPC’s get stuck in the surroundings. But it doesn’t upset your enjoyment of the game while you are playing.
Controls are intuitive and feel comfortable to use. For example, you can choose between a dial wheel or the shoulder buttons to pick your tools from your pocket which is a nice touch on the developers part.
There is one thing the game is missing, and that is an in-game map. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy exploring, but I don’t particularly enjoy getting lost. Unfortunately, being lost happens without a map. Maybe in a future update, it could be added in by the developers.
Conclusion
Grow: Song of the Evertree is a sweet and wholesome game. As I’ve previously mentioned it wouldn’t be a game suited to all. But if you like helping people, making them happy, collecting resources and exploring a beautiful world then Grow: Song of the Evertree would be a game for you. Also if you have played Prideful Sloths previous game Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles you will feel right at home in the world of Alaria.
Final Verdict: I Like It A Lot 