Summary
In the wake of hit releases likeStardew Valley,it can seem like so-called cozy games, centered on low-stakes activities like farming and crafting, are a dime a dozen. While it’s true that there are countless options available forStardew Valleyfans looking for something new (which often vary greatly in quality),Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story, with its apparent blend of familiar and innovative, could be the next big thing for fans of ConcernedApe’s indie hit.
Over the past few years, Riot Games has taken significant strides towards expanding theLeague of LegendsIP beyond the eponymous MOBA. There was, of course, the hit showArcaneon Netflix, but Riot has also launched a number of different games under theA League of Legends Storybanner. These games take place in theLoLuniverse and leverage the franchise’s lore in unique ways, offering experiences that are decidedly distinct from the competitive gameplay of their progenitor. When it comes to its newLeague of Legendsreleases, Riot has published everything from side-scrollers likeConvergenceto family-friendlyadventure games likeSong of Nunu, butBandle Talelooks to be doing something markedly different.
Bandle Tale Offers a More Magical Alternative to Stardew Valley
Mostcasual games similar toStardew Valleytend to focus on the supernatural to some degree. A sense that there is a bit more to life than meets the eye, or that adventure and danger could be just around the corner, helps generate intrigue, and the best games of this kind strike a good balance between slice-of-life gameplay and otherworldly happenings.Stardew Valleycertainly does this, injecting just the right amount of magic into its more mundane elements, butBandle Talelooks to take the inverse approach, presenting everyday activities through the lens of an inherently mystical world.
This approach may helpBandle Talestand out since, because ascharming asStardew Valley’s setting is, its small-town Americana aesthetic is somewhat played out in the cozy genre.Bandle Tale’s setting holds an otherworldly allure, with the game taking players through quaint fantasy villages, rainy forests, and colorful plains that are similar to the real world, but with enough mystery and creativity to make them stand apart. All of this is buttressed byLeague of Legendslore, which informs and enhances the premise of the game, making it a special experience for dedicatedLoLfans.
Bandle Tale’s Grand Narrative
Something that seems to setBandle Taleapart from many of its contemporaries is its overarching narrative. Unlike the seeminglyendless gameplay loop ofStardew Valley, in which the player is tasked with constant improvement and exploration,Bandle Taleactually has something of a linear story. At the start of the game, the portals that the residentyordles use to travelthroughout Bandle City are destroyed. This causes chaos and strife, and the player sets out on a journey to restore the portals and reconnect the region. This sort of higher-stakes objective is not unheard of in the world of cozy games, but it is somewhat uncommon.Bandle Talecould use it to stand out from the competition even more.
Despite its grandiose narrative and strictly fantasy setting,Bandle Taleaims to provide the same satisfying, wholesome, cozy gameplay that fans of games likeStardew Valleyare accustomed to. Players will still be spending most of their time casually exploring, crafting, nurturing relationships with charismatic NPCs, and engaging inStardew-style business managementactivities. Just how wellBandle Taledifferentiates itself within the competitive cozy life-sim genre will be determined when it launches this February, but it certainly seems like a charming, unique option forStardew Valleyfans.
Stardew Valley
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
