Crop: A Farming Simulation Game Where You Bury the Previous Owner and Experience More Adventures

During the recent Triple-i Showcase, 11 bit Studios, recognized for their works on Frostpunk and This War of Mine, in collaboration with Carbonara Games, unveiled Crop, a captivating and dark farming thriller. Geared towards an inaugural launch on PC via Steam, console adaptations are also in the works, although specific release dates remain unconfirmed.

Crop offers a single-player journey, featuring a primary campaign expected to last approximately 15 hours. Players begin by controlling a character who awakens disoriented, half-clothed, and emerging from a truck along a sinister, rain-soaked forest road. Soon, you will find yourself trapped in an utterly isolated village where severe weather has severed all connections to the outside world. The desperate townsfolk insist that you take charge of a dilapidated farm to stave off hunger while awaiting help that appears to be perpetually delayed.

Farming: A Survival Mechanic Shadowed by Mystery

The gameplay mechanics in Crop are crafted to be slow, methodical, and demanding. Every undertaking depletes both time and energy, creating an ongoing challenge. Players learn the importance of digging by burying the previous farm’s owner. User energy management is crucial; retiring early not only conserves stamina but might just save your life for the upcoming day. Key activities include:

Digging and cultivating various crop plots, each with its own level of difficulty
Creating compost and fertilizers aimed at enhancing crop quality for better market prices
Digging ditches, setting up and fueling water pumps, and irrigating plants on dry days
Mowing down overgrown grass to deter pests and clear space for new plots
Employing protective measures such as scarecrows and pesticides while addressing plant diseases that can impact sales
Managing a finite inventory that may be enhanced through gameplay

As players progress, they can expand the farm into uncharted areas. An early Alpha build showcased an incomplete bridge leading to a second field. Additionally, with development, certain farming tasks can be automated. The overall visual design is intentionally subdued, dominated by shades of grey, brown, and green, which differentiates Crop from traditional vibrant farming games. Subtle immersive touches, such as the accumulation of dirt on shoes, grass bowing beneath your steps, and the leaf imprints left in the mud, effectively enhance the gaming atmosphere.

However, underlining the farming mechanics is a distinct Lynch-like horror combined with Lovecraftian intrigue. The village is inhabited by morally complex characters, including Astrid, a local officer who approaches the mystery of your unintended arrival with a logical mindset, and Greta, a forest dweller who alludes to otherworldly conspiracies. As food scarcity mounts, residents grow more unnerved, with one attempting to bribe you for direct crop access, sidestepping community supplies.

Apart from the physical toil, players gather insights through a “Mind Roots”map, which visually tracks pivotal story events, character connections, and unanswered questions. Certain narrative elements are time-sensitive, adding pressure to explore more while keeping the farm operational. Central questions emerge: Why did you end up in this place? Why has no outside assistance come? Who seemingly lurks in the shadows?

Founded in 2023 by three seasoned developers and friends, Carbonara Games embraces a flexible and minimalistic approach. Despite its Italian name, the studio operates out of Oslo, Norway. The founding members include:

Frits Olsen — Artist, formerly the Art Director for Death’s Door (Devolver Digital)
Adrian Tingstad Husby — Designer, previously with Krillbite for a decade, known for his work on design and storytelling in Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
Torstein Vien — Programmer, also formerly at Krillbite for six years

Crop marks the team’s inaugural project together, augmented by a network of contractors.11 bit Studios discovered the game through their typical scouting for external development, which encompasses attending industry events and direct developer pitches.

According to recent updates, the game remains in Alpha testing stages, with an anticipated full release expected either late this year or early in 2027, although a definitive date has yet to be established. As of now, pricing is also undecided.

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