By Emily Lannon, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Slime Rancher is a new game released in August 2017 by indie developer Monomi Park. The game takes place, as expected, on a ranch as players take the role of Beatrice Lebeau the new owner of the “Far Far Range” somewhere out in space.
The goal of the game is simple, farm slimes. These adorable gelatinous organisms come in a wide variety from the classic pink slime to “tabby” slimes, whose appearance is not dissimilar to a gray tabby cat, to many more loveable slimes throughout the world.
These slimes can also combine types, turning into “largos” larger slimes that are less easily corralled. Armed with an apparatus that can vacuum and project items around the world, players are given a short tutorial before being set free to manage their ranch.
There is no apparent end game or main objective. It’s just Beatrice managing the farm as best she can.
In addition to corralling slimes you can also grow food and manage pens of animals like hens to feed to your slimes.
At this point you may be wondering: Why am I corralling slimes? What larger purpose is there?
Well that’s a good question. Slimes are valuable commodities because they, when fed, produce a lucrative material called plorts that can be sold to get more money that will allow you to upgrade your vacuum apparatus and your farm.
There are also unlockable areas to explore to find different types of slimes and foods.
One of these unlockable areas is a slime lab that I personally cannot wait to be able to afford.
As for a larger purpose? There isn’t really one. You can trade with other slime ranchers who will give you tips. But, besides that, it’s all about expanding the farm the way you want and raising the slimes you want to raise.
I got the opportunity to play this game recently and I instantly fell in love. The art style is simple and wholesome.
The game itself is easy to pick up and easier to play for hours on end. There’s almost never conflict; some of the slimes can injure you but you’re also farming them so I feel like it’s a fair trade. The only thing even remotely bad in the game is the tarrs, slimes that have combined with too many different types and crave destruction.
Despite their best attempts to be threatening though, they are a foe easily dealt with. There are also feral slimes, usually largos, slimes that have gone too long without food and are cranky about it. But simply throw some food at them and you’ll be fine.
There is never any pressure in the game either. You move at your own pace and the end goal is always to just have fun. The ability to expand your farm is also great, as you only start off with around ten plots to work with.
That may seem like a lot, but once you get around to accumulating slimes, animals, and plants it all fills up rather quickly.
The game is expansive, with many different types of flora and fauna it can be hard to keep track. Luckily the game has a built in nifty “Slimepedia” to help keep everything straight.
This is definitely a game I would recommend to anyone who wants to relax and have a good time in a brightly lit and colorful world!