Although I don’t mean for my title to seem pessimistic, it’s fair to say that there is something eerily familiar about this title from Developer Castle Pixel, LLC and Publisher Playtonic Friends. From the 28 day season cycles to the friendships/romances with the towns folk, it all seemed like I’d done this before. However, there are more than enough differences in this cozy RPG to keep it interesting.
It’s 1891 and you arrive in town, the name of which is your choice, and are greeted by the mayor and other towns folk, shown to your land, and given a set of tools. From here you’re off and running. Free to chop trees, break rocks and plant seeds as you build your little homestead.
In town you’ll find the usual establishments, store, blacksmith, butcher and a bank. It is at this bank that you can deposit your gold for safe keeping, and where you can donate to develop the town, starting with fixing up the town hall. Once this is done a list of further progressions is available.
Can you go fishing? You bet you can. After receiving a rod you can fish until your heart’s content. Hooking a fish opens a simple fishing mini game that won’t test your skills at all. There is other wildlife available, and you can go hunting with the aid of a bow early on, and a hunting rifle later. You can become an animal farmer yourself with the help of the local rancher who will sell you livestock once the appropriate barns and coops have been built, which you can get blue prints for from the carpenter.
Mining also features heavily, and once the mine is open to you, you can descend into the depths with the aid of rope ladders and platforms. However, ores such as copper, iron and tin are plentiful in the overworld before you even get to the mine. This along with plenty of foraging opportunities.
There are of course enemies to tackle in the mines and in the overworld, although not particularly challenging ones. To take on bandits you’ll need a gun, and despite telling me to stay out of trouble, the sheriff was more than happy to give me a weapon and 100 bullets on the second day of knowing me. The bandits will pop out at random as you wander around the map, you can give them your money or take them on in a quick draw contest. This opens another simple mini game that if you win, and you will, rewards you with some gold.
There are town events such as a hoedown and a rodeo that you can participate in with the use of mini games relying on timing and reflexes. Can you stay on the bull? I couldn’t!
Interaction with the towns folk, and helping them with tasks on the town notice board develops friendships, and although I didn’t get to the settling down part of the story, there are 18 romance options to go with.
Although there is nothing ground breaking about this top down pixel art game, it does what a cozy farming SIM should, it offers a relaxing gaming experience. There are a few points of contention. The mechanic for moving buildings seemed a little off, and I just ended up with three of the same shed, two of which I could just phase through the walls of. And it could be a little more informative, giving a few hints here and there wouldn’t hurt. But these are minor gripes.
I saw an interview recently with Eric Barone (ConcernedApe) where he said he wished people wouldn’t just copy Stardew. But he also said that he doesn’t own the genre and people can do what they like. And I say, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. All in all I sunk a few hours into Cattle Country and had a pleasant experience doing so. And I intend to sink several more. It will be interesting to see where it goes, and how it changes as updates are introduced.
I think it more than earns it’s price tag of £14.99, although it is currently on offer on steam for £12.74. Grab a copy at the reduced price while you can.
