Cozy choice-based handling game with romances
This game is a long choice-based game where you build a character who is a hobbit and live through a year or so of local hobbit life.
It seems built on the same general model as Choicescript games, where your choices influence your stats and relationships with delayed effects in later chapters.
However, the effects of your choices are pretty opaque. Unlike Choicescript games, there is no stats page that I could find, and many of the options you can pick from are very similar. On top of that, several chapters are built up as a 'win/loss' scenario where you either make the right choices and get a good result or just fail. When I played every commercial Choicescript game a few years ago, those were all common things that made games more frustrating.
On the other hand, the characters and setting here are fun. A lot is taken directly from Lord of the Rings, but the individual characters are all new. There is also a lot of branching, especially with romances. I did two playthroughs, one pursuing Patty the 'witch' and one pursuing Lily the mayor's daughter. The last 3 of the 7 chapters in these playthroughs were very different from each other.
Everything is pretty low-stakes. Someone steals a sword and runs away with it, but not you. The most stress you have to deal with is social judgment and a pie contest.
So, I'd recommend this to fans of 'coffee shop AU' or Stardew Valley. I liked it enough to play it twice, and the price I paid (I think $3.99?) was definitely appropriate for the size (a lot of such games are $10 to $20 now).
It seems built on the same general model as Choicescript games, where your choices influence your stats and relationships with delayed effects in later chapters.
However, the effects of your choices are pretty opaque. Unlike Choicescript games, there is no stats page that I could find, and many of the options you can pick from are very similar. On top of that, several chapters are built up as a 'win/loss' scenario where you either make the right choices and get a good result or just fail. When I played every commercial Choicescript game a few years ago, those were all common things that made games more frustrating.
On the other hand, the characters and setting here are fun. A lot is taken directly from Lord of the Rings, but the individual characters are all new. There is also a lot of branching, especially with romances. I did two playthroughs, one pursuing Patty the 'witch' and one pursuing Lily the mayor's daughter. The last 3 of the 7 chapters in these playthroughs were very different from each other.
Everything is pretty low-stakes. Someone steals a sword and runs away with it, but not you. The most stress you have to deal with is social judgment and a pie contest.
So, I'd recommend this to fans of 'coffee shop AU' or Stardew Valley. I liked it enough to play it twice, and the price I paid (I think $3.99?) was definitely appropriate for the size (a lot of such games are $10 to $20 now).
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Response from developer
Hey Briarlock, We’re glad you had such fun with the characters and romances. It was very important to us that Halfling Dale would be a relaxing experience, where you can sink into the small problems of halfling life. Like you say – everything is pretty low stakes (apart from the pie contest, which is high stakes as far as halflings are concerned). You’re obviously a fan of choice games, and we really appreciate your feedback on the style and choice model, and glad that you enjoyed playing different routes. Thanks for taking the time to leave us such a full review, we’re really happy you’ve shared your thoughts.
Brilliant! Cosy adventure story - can’t wait to play again!
Loved this gentle roleplay app…in a cosy and beautifully painted world with its whacky community traditions and shenanigans! Easy to use and nicely paced. Thanks for a great adventure Wyziwyg Wizards…can’t wait for the next one!
Response from developer
We're really happy to hear you enjoyed the story, thank you for the review!
