Take care of the Grove as its newest guardian in relaxing simulation game Garden Story, which adds the Nintendo Switch to its list of release platforms.

Developer Picogram describes Garden Story thusly:

Unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove. Traverse a vibrant island to combat invasive Rot, inspire its inhabitants, and rebuild your home. You won’t have to do this alone: fruity friends await, ready to lend a hand!

Concord, the youngest grape in The Grove, is now a Guardian, and it’s their job to help restore the island. That’s a lot to shoulder for a grape barely off the vine… and more than a few inhabitants are skeptical they have what it takes. Fortunately, Concord has friends like Elderberry, Rana, and Fuji on their side! With their help, you can take on the dangerous Rot and find ways to encourage other residents to assist in the efforts.

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Protect friends, gather materials, and combat the Rot by bringing a plethora of flora and fauna to neighboring villages. Take time to listen to the music, or stop by the island’s library and gardens. Meet an assortment of memorable villagers with striking personalities. By helping others, Concord can make The Grove a safe haven for everyone.

Some newly-released features include:

  • Relax on the sparkling shores of Summer Bar: this breezy, beachy area of the Grove was once a bustling hub…but recent events have left it largely deserted and dilapidated.
  • Explore and Restore: Repair bridges, open dams, mend fences, and more to bring The Grove back to its former glory
  • Combat Invasive Enemies: Fend off varieties of the insidious Rot — each with their own strengths and weaknesses – who could threaten your ability to bring The Grove back to life.

Garden Story will hit the Nintendo Switch, PC, and Mac in 2021. There’s also a playable demo available on Steam now.

Leah McDonald
Leah's been playing video games since her brother first bought an Atari back in the 1980s and has no plans to stop playing anytime soon. She enjoys almost every genre of game, with some of her favourites being Final Fantasy Tactics, Shadow of the Colossus, Suikoden II and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Leah lives on the East Coast with her husband and son. You can follow Leah over on Twitter @GamingBricaBrac