When I first stumbled upon Slow Living with Princess on Steam, the title struck me as oddly translated and reminiscent of the clichéd fantasy anime shows flooding the market for years. It seemed like another generic farming simulation derived from light novels. To my surprise, my assumptions weren’t entirely off the mark. Slow Living with Princess is indeed a farming sim inspired by the anime “Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside.” Despite its quirky name, the game managed to capture my attention with its unexpectedly good gameplay and story.
In this game, players assume the role of Gideon Ragnason, now known as Red, who has been banished from the hero’s quest party in a fantasy world. Slow Living with Princess is a unique blend of farming and dating simulation RPG, where players can nurture their rural homestead, explore dungeons, work as an apothecary, and befriend local villagers. The romantic element of the game revolves around the relationship with Rit, a princess who assists in managing the farm. Unlike other dating-infused farming sims like Stardew Valley, Slow Living with Princess focuses on a single romance partner to maintain the integrity of the original storyline.
Developed by Kadokawa, a prominent name in manga and anime, in collaboration with the studio Tsukurite, the game initially launched in early access in 2021. After extensive polishing and the addition of new content such as dungeons, items, furnishings, and minigames like drake racing, the game saw its full release on October 15. The fact that a spinoff like this made it through early access and received positive feedback is indeed a remarkable feat.
What truly impressed me was the game’s reception on Steam. With a 90% positive rating based on 473 reviews, Slow Living with Princess has garnered praise not only from fans of the original source material but also from newcomers who enjoy farming sims. Many reviews liken it to a simpler version of Stardew Valley, highlighting its charm and accessibility. Some players have even drawn comparisons to other successful titles like Recettear, indicating the game’s strength in the apothecary aspect of the RPG.
The developers expressed their gratitude in the 1.0 update, marking the end of their long journey from early access to the game’s completion. The community’s feedback and support played a pivotal role in shaping the game into what it is today. Slow Living with Princess stands as a testament to the potential of spinoff games, proving that with dedication and creativity, even seemingly niche concepts can find their audience and thrive.
