Want to grow flowers, trees and plants? Here are some games you can indulge in this summer, without fear of killing anything…
If you know nothing about gardening, start your home gardening journey with “Plant Daddy”. This little free game offers limited functionality – buying plants, relocating them, watering them, etc. –, turns out to be addictive. It has simple missions to progress and unlock new plants and additional items. As a bonus, the chirping of the birds gives a good dose of zen to these moments of break.
Also free, “Viridi” is all about succulents. You grow them in real time in a pot, lulled by relaxing music to the max. You choose a pot, a packet of starter seeds and off you go. Every Friday, the designers – a group of friends from Seattle – offer you a random plant, although it is possible to go and buy some for small sums in the “maternity”. And, as an added bonus, if you leave the game “rolling” unattended, you sing to your plants by default. Admit that it is poetic and contemplative.
Always for lovers of poetry, “Flower” stands out as a must. Chosen by the Smithsonian Museum to be part of its permanent collection, this low-cost title contains no dialogue, but exceptional music. The player controls the wind and must thus twirl petals in the middle of brightly colored fields and be guided by the visual indications.
To your dibbles
Let’s leave the domain of Zen and the contemplation of nature to discover games that allow you to play in the earth. The most keen gardeners and other simulation game enthusiasts immediately head to “Plant Tycoon” which a demo version allows you to test for free before purchasing. Taking place in real time, the game offers 500 varieties of plants including extremely rare specimens that allow you to create magical plants. Of course, you have to water the plants, get new seeds, watch out for insect infestations and fund horticultural research.
On the side of “Pocket Plants”, literally “Pocket Plants”, in this free game for phones and Windows, you have to collect, plant and water plants. The goal? Clear the surrounding fog to restore the crystal light. A fun program, free and for all ages.
With its pastel colors, “Ooblets” is an adorable, fun little game. Because it’s not plants that you grow, but friends with whom you organize dance fights. Yes, the concept of this game is fun and original enough to grab attention and hold it.
Those who are not relaxed by gardening will orient themselves towards “Reap”. You have just been stranded on an obviously deserted island. But now several of your turnips have survived the sinking of your boat. If you don’t want to starve, you must become a turnip farmer… without forgetting the treasure you originally came to seek.
In closing, no, I haven’t forgotten the most popular titles of the genre. “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” is absolutely adorable. A game that makes you happy par excellence, the title for the Switch allows you to create your island and shape it according to your wishes. Because “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” goes beyond a gardening game by including all dimensions of life and respect for nature. As for “Stardew Valley,” it turns you into a pixelated farmer, a throwback to the good old days of “Farmville.” You now take care of the farm that your grandfather bequeathed to you while having the opportunity to meet your soul mate. What more?
“Plant Daddy”: https://overfull.itch.io/plantdaddy for browsers
“Green”: https://www.icewatergames.com/green pour Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS
«Flower»: https://thatgamecompany.com/flower/ pour Windows, PlayStation et iOS
«Plant Tycoon»: https://www.ldw.com/plant_tycoon.php pour Windows, macOS, Android et iOS
«Pocket Plants»: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kongregate.mobile.pocketplants.google
«Pocket Plants»: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pocket-plants-merge-games/id1170134874 pour iOS
«Pocket Plants»: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1467740/Pocket_Plants pour Windows
«Reap»: https://managore.itch.io/reap pour Windows et iOS
«Animal Crossing: New Horizons»: https://www.animal-crossing.com/new-horizons/ pour Switch
