I had been waiting to play Echoes of the Plum Grove on Nintendo Switch for what felt like forever. It launched on PC first, but I knew I wanted to experience this cozy farm simulator handheld. I love playing games like this on Switch, where I can curl up on the couch and relax. When I saw it on sale in the Nintendo eShop, I grabbed it immediately.
In this Echoes of the Plum Grove Switch review, I am sharing why this charming and quirky cozy game has quickly become one of my favorites. It blends farming, survival, and generational gameplay in a way that keeps me coming back every time I get a spare moment.
If you love cozy farm simulators like Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing, or Story of Seasons, Echoes of the Plum Grove will feel familiar but fresh. You begin being washed on the island’s shores in the town of Honeywood. You will be given a humble plot of land and start building a thriving community (and family!). Unlike most farming sims where you play as a single character forever, this game has a generational twist. Your decisions shape not just your life, but the lives of future generations in your family tree. I absolutely LOVE having a new Switch game that gives you the option to play a game that can span generations.
The main focus of the game is balancing survival and relationships. You will manage hunger meters, pay taxes, and prepare for the tough winter seasons, which bring new levels of danger to your farm and family. If you are not careful, the island’s secrets and hidden challenges will sneak up on you.
What I love most about Echoes of the Plum Grove is how customizable it is. I do not have hours and hours to game during the week, so being able to adjust settings like tool durability, aging, hunger, and even turning off fishing mini-games helps me play at my own pace. The game lets you enjoy the cozy side of farming while still giving you the option to take on its survival elements if you want more of a challenge.
Honeywood is a well-populated farming town where fellow townsfolk follow their own schedules. You can give gifts, build relationships, and even adopt orphaned children. But the game also has a mischievous side. Ever heard of the death cake? It’s a recipe that lets you take drastic measures to change a character’s fate if you’re aiming for a different story outcome. Echoes of the Plum Grove lets you shape your story however you want, whether you’re growing a peaceful farm or stirring up chaos.
If you’re starting out and looking for tips, here are a few helpful suggestions for Echoes of the Plum Grove:
- Adopt orphaned children by visiting the mayor and requesting adoption papers.
- Toggle family members’ jobs in the menu to assign them as farm helpers or job seekers.
- Wood is a great universal gift, but in spring, cherries from your farm and roses from the mayor’s mansion make great free gifts.
- Inoculate your character as soon as possible if you don’t plan to turn off diseases.
- You can marry and have children with any character, regardless of gender.
- Be prepared for fellow townsfolk to get married on their own. It stings when your love interest marries someone else.
- If you want to change a character’s fate or job, you can learn or purchase the death cake recipe.
- Cozy gaming communities on Facebook and the Echoes of the Plum Grove Reddit are filled with tips and guides to help you navigate tricky parts of the game.
- Feel free to wander along every corner of the island and say hello to every creature you come across
- Use fast travel points to quickly return from areas like the mines without wasting extra oil or resources
Some players have mentioned glitches in cozy gaming groups and on platforms like Rock Paper Shotgun and IGN YouTube. Personally, I haven’t experienced major issues during my first month of playing. The developers at Unwound Games seem committed to making improvements, and the community on Reddit and TikTok is full of helpful guides. I’m sure this will become one of your new favorite cozy games!
