myrmepropagandistMar 1

Stardew valley is a popular game with people in my generation. Like most video games it's a power fantasy.

In this case about growing food, having a functional "third space" in your community and fixing public transit. Pure escapism.

Also there are magic forest spirits and dungeons with monsters and treasures.

Show threadmyrmepropagandistMar 1

Two of the most momentous parts of the game are when you fix the public bus and when you get the ferry service working again.

You bring all of the materials to fix the boat but still need to buy tickets to use it because buying tickets for a nice functional local public transit system are kind of part of the whole allure.

Show threadFighting for DemocracyMar 1

@futurebird

Now I'm imagining an "Ooops, all infrastructure" version of Stardew. You move into a crumbling town, and instead of farming, you spend all your time fixing issues with transit, water, power, and the library.

You could even follow the classic farm arc, where you start out repairing everything by hand and gradually move up layers of abstraction, maybe through organizing fellow townsfolk to pitch in.

Mid-game you think everything is going great, and then someone tells you about the state of the sewer system.

Show threadJonathan HartleyMar 1
@earthlightning @futurebird not all at a Stardew vibe, but this reminds me powerfully of the game "Infra", in which your Finnish engineer character does unhurried inspections & impromptu repairs to buildings, starting with small scale rural bridges and a sawmill, and progressing to larger and more involved facilities as you continue your afternoon shift walking to successive assignments along the riverside path that leads slowly into town. One of the most marvelous, engrossing games I've played
Show threadJonathan HartleyMar 1

@earthlightning @futurebird https://store.steampowered.com/app/251110/INFRA/

There is more to it than this. A plot emerges, that goes places I guarantee you do not expect, but suffice to say that spoilers are a disservice - I went in blind and unprepared, and as a result it was an incredible once in a lifetime experience.

INFRA on Steam

INFRA puts you into the boots of a structural analyst on a routine mission. Quickly though, your task turns into a fight for survival, all caused by deep-rooted schemes of the past. Your tools are simple: your camera and the wits to navigate a labyrinth of debris.

Show threadJesMar 2
@tartley @earthlightning @futurebird I have been casully playing the follow up game, Obenseure. Again, not a Stardew Valley vibe at all. Very challenging in its own odd, grungy way.
Show threadJonathan Hartley
@Jesticulated I had no idea there's a follow up! Onoes, there goes my evenings!
Mar 2 at 2:36amWeb
Show threadJonathan HartleyMar 2
@Jesticulated Thank you for mentioning this but I see now that it's a deep dive into the penultimate level of Infra? Y'know, that one level stuck out for me as the one part of Infra I didn't enjoy at all. Halfway through I went to the internet for a walkthrough and got out of there as soon as I could. I guess this is a sequel that isn't for me. Each to their own! 🙂
Show threadJesMar 2
@tartley It is quite dystopian and surreal in parts. From what I understand the game is also not done yet. I am going to look into Infra though!