With its overwhelming critical and commercial success, it too has become a trailblazer that developers big and small have learned from. Potion Permit, made by MassHive Media is one such release. It bears similarities to Stardew Valley but has players assume the role of the new chemist in town in the delightful setting of Moonbury. Potion Permit is a surprisingly fun time in its own right, but more impressive still is that it proves Stardew Valley’s mechanics still offer enjoying gaming experiences.
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Stardew Valley is Fun even in the Future
There is so much content packed into the charming streets of Pelican Town that it’s easy to be overwhelmed by it all. What looks like a charming if shallow farming simulator is actually a constantly evolving list of things to do, with in-game days that are simply never long enough to complete everything all at once. Tending to crops and livestock, endlessly gifting and chatting with the townsfolk, and building a more productive, lucrative farm are all things that will take up Stardew Valley players’ time, making its art style feel strangely deceptive, but in the best possible way.
Potion Permit adopts a similar style, both visually and mechanically. Plenty of the side content bears a strong resemblance to ConcernedApe’s beloved project. It’s the source of its quality, which is a startling reminder that Stardew Valley still holds up and has the ability to offer innovations to other, more humbly-designed and marketed titles. Arriving in Moonbury to a sea of unwelcoming and dubious inhabitants, the player can make quick work winning them over by appropriately healing its citizens using the techniques learned during the game’s tutorial.
The Simulator Genre is Ever-Changing
There was surely little doubt that Stardew Valley would stand the test of time, in large part because frequent updates improve the experience for both new and returning players. However, with farming simulators being one of the most diverse categories in the gaming space, it’s easy to be lost in the pack, or worse still, fade into obscurity after a few years. My Time at Portia is one such example, inspired by what came before but never truly offering anything new. Time will tell if Potion Permit succeeds in the long term, but it’s clear that sticking closely to the refinements that Stardew Valley made can ensure a project has the quality to do so.
A quaint town that’s littered with unique and compelling characters, gorgeous pixel art that feels equal parts nostalgic and new, and a subtle yet charming soundtrack are all components of both Stardew Valley and Potion Permit. The latter may not achieve the same level of success as the former, but while its time on players’ minds may be limited, it further strengthens the glowing reputation of Stardew Valley, showing that imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery.
Stardew Valley is available for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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