| Platform | Nintendo Switch |
| Release Date | 4/22/2022 |
| Publisher | RedDeer Games |
| Cost | $6.99 |
| ESRB Rating | E |
You buy an orchard. You go plant trees and sell apples. And that’s about it. You know, I’ve sat through more Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons games than I can count. I’ve even sat through Stardew Valley. Bit Orchard is probably the most boring farming game I’ve ever played. You wake up, water your trees, kill a few weeds, pet the rabbit and go back to sleep by 2pm at most. Repeat the next day.
I understand this is discount Story of Seasons, but Bit Orchard should be more interesting than this. The cover image promises you’ll find love and meet other kooky characters, I got news for you, you can’t even leave the orchard. Maybe you can later, but I didn’t care to sit around long enough to find out.
Farming games like Story of Seasons give you so much stuff to do, its a time management game at heart. Farm, mine, fish, befriend people, find love, tend livestock. You’ve gotta fit it all in somehow. There’s nothing to do in Bit Orchard, so you’re often asleep by mid afternoon. Sure there are upgrades, but they’re mostly cosmetic. And, to add insult to injury, if you want a chicken coop, pay $1.99. Stardew Valley added stuff like fisheries, for free.
I’m looking forward to Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life next year. I won’t be back to Bit Orchard.
Overall: Bit Orchard: Animal Valley is discount Story of Seasons, and entirely misses the point.
Verdict: Not Recommended
P.S. No internal link here, just pointing out there are SIX VERSIONS on the E-Shop!
