Disney Dreamlight Valley review: «Like Animal Crossing with more story and less waiting»
Early Verdict
Even at this Early Access stage, Gameloft has created an awesome game here. There’s enough content here already to give a good sense of what’s to come, and a foundation to build something rather special.
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Disney Dreamlight Valley is like Animal Crossing with more story and less waiting. Excellent quality of life features mean a whole lot less faff than Nintendo’s life sim though; your watering can is never empty, tools never blunt or break, and stamina can be renewed by munching down on a handful of berries – which are plentiful around the Valley. There is a day and night cycle that’s linked to your own, but very little is limited to waiting for the next physical day, a la Animal Crossing. And what’s more, Gameloft is already smoothing the slightly rough edges that the game arrived with at its initial Early Access launch back on September 6, with updates, patches, and more to address community feedback.
Fast Facts: Disney Dreamlight Valley
(Image credit: Gameloft)
Release date: Early Access on Sept 6, 2022. Full release 2023
Platform(s): PS5/4, Xbox Series X/One, PC, Switch
Developer/Publisher: Gameloft
Much of that has been around resource scarcity and balancing, which meant an influx of Dreamlight Shards hitting player letterboxes in the early weeks, but it does still feel like the game is missing a few additional tutorials here and there to better explain some of the elements resource gathering does involve.
Thankfully though, the game has never been bereft of things to do, especially if you’re happy to occupy your time with a little bit of busywork – and if you’re familiar with life sims like Stardew Valley, then you will be well familiarized with such tasks.
The main currency used to unlock new areas of the Valley (the expanding area which houses your villagers) and new Realms (more on those later) is Dreamlight, which can be earned by completing tasks such as fishing, farming, cooking, and chatting with your friends. Daily tasks that constantly replenish are great for quick wins, and are also complemented by longer-term goals like getting all your friendships to a certain level or farming a certain amount of vegetables. The more you unlock in terms of areas and characters, the easier it is to earn more Dreamlight, which is a nice touch.
Other currencies include good old-fashioned money, which can be obtained through selling the items you gather or grow, and there’s also XP which can be earned by ticking off tasks given to you by the various Disney and Pixar characters that you’ll befriend.
You’ve got a friend
(Image credit: Gameloft/Disney)
If you want to fill the Valley with your favorite heroes and villains, you’ll need to deal with a phenomenon known as The Forgetting.
Horrid thorns block off access to homes and entire regions, and also blight its inhabitants with nasty cases of memory loss. Merlin, thankfully, has it together enough to know the Valley needs help, both in clearing away the vines and in bringing back all its residents – he also knows that you’re the only one that can do it… you magical thing you.
It’s all about you
(Image credit: Gameloft)
There’s a brilliant character customization tool too, with so many clothing options to discover
Thus your new life in Disney Dreamlight Valley consists of helping the residents that have managed to survive through The Forgetting, like Scrooge McDuck with his general store or Mickey Mouse with his community garden, while also reaching out to those who left the Valley behind. This happens mainly through unlocking themed Realms using Dreamlight. Although the Dream Castle is pretty packed with doors to each of the Disney and Pixar universes, there are only four Realms available at the time of writing – Moana, Ratatouille, Frozen, and Wall-E.
Each Realm offers at least one character to coax back to the valley, and they come complete with their own storyline and set of quests that directly reflect the movies they’re born out from. Whether you’re cooking with Remy or exploring with Moana, it’s always a nice surprise to see what adventure each Realm will take you on.
(Image credit: Gameloft)
Admittedly, the Realms are more compact than I imagined they’d be – particularly poor Wall-E’s – but you’ll nevertheless find yourself returning to them as you begin to complete each character’s quests and level up your friendships with them. This is key to progression in Disney Dreamlight Valley, as simple acts of kindness – like hanging out, exchanging gifts, and simply checking in on your new buddies every day can help take your friendships to the next stage. Doing this will not only give you fun quests to carry out, but it also gives you access to themed items and outfit options for each character. Interestingly, some of the quests can also unlock a new tool upgrade that can help clear an obstacle or access a new area.
None of that is made that clear, unfortunately, but it’s a fun surprise when something unexpected happens by spending more time getting to know someone.
A whole new Valley
(Image credit: Gameloft/Disney)
The final piece of the whole ‘living alongside my favorite Disney characters’ fantasy to life is some truly brilliant dialogue and narrative flourishes. . Disney Dreamlight Valley isn’t afraid to have some fun with these iconic figures, and even have a laugh at their expense, all the while making great nods to those who know the associated movies inside out. It’s this attention to detail that makes Disney Dreamlight Valley feel like a sim for Disney fans of all ages. Accessible enough for the younger generation, the personality to appease older Disney fans, and the depth to offer a viable alternative to games like Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley. .
Disney Dreamlight Valley also has something else to compete with those games too – it’s Star Path feature.
It’s essentially Disney Dreamlight Valley’s answer to a Battle Pass, and is available to buy using premium (aka real-money) currency. It gets you access to exclusive cosmetic items themed around a specific area and each one lasts a month before it resets. The first was Pixar themed, for example, and October’s has a decidedly more spooky theme. Thankfully that premium currency is bundled in with the various Early Access bundles you can buy, but if you’re on Game Pass (where you don’t get any premium currency for free), you can still earn it. The good thing is, either way though, it’s entirely optional, and the cosmetics are grouped in a way that you don’t have to unlock every single item to get the thing you want higher up the chain. It’s surprisingly fair, and I hope that continues throughout the game’s lifetime.
(Image credit: Gameloft)
Disney Dreamlight Valley is a really interesting addition to the live service game space. It’s fun, offers up plenty of content, and it’s well thought out.
Designing and planning out how you want your Valley to look is also very moreish, and I wonder if it will spawn the same kind of community engagement there as Animal Crossing: New Horizons did. After all, island planning is a serious business, but now it’s infused with Disney magic. There are still some quirks and bugs to iron out, but that’s what this Early Access period is for (the full game launches as a free-to-play title in 2023). I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.
Scar update
(Image credit: Gameloft)
Scar has arrived in Disney Dreamlight Valley with the October 19 update, and although it runs the risk of moving the dial towards the villainous, it’s actually a welcome relief to see his snarl looming across the plains. This is the first major update for the game since its Early Access launch, and adds not only Scar himself but a new storyline to explore.
His home has been added to the Sunlit Plateau, so there’s no need to go through a realm or another quest to unlock him.
Along with his own friendship quests, his core narrative is a new expansion of the main story and involves going deep into a mine, crafting explosive ginger beer, and working with Merlin. It’s pretty fun, and one of the more complicated story quests available in the game so far. However, it’s also one of the first to use real-world days as a marker for mission progression. It’s admittedly a little jarring as none of the other missions have taken several actual days to complete, so it’s an interesting glimpse into what else Disney Dreamlight Valley will do in the future.
There’s another larger Disney Dreamlight Valley update dropping in «late Fall» that will introduce a new Toy Story Realm, additional characters including Buzz and Woody, and more. However, Scar’s presence has served as a good stopgap, particularly when it comes to better incorporating the Sunlit Plateau area of the map, which previously was little more than a space to gather unique resources.
Disney Dreamlight Valley was reviewed on PC (and Steam Deck) using a code provided by the publisher.
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| Available platforms | Games, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC |
| Genre | Sim |
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Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she’s also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she’s in charge of the site’s overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it’s the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin’s Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren’t sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.
Best Nintendo Switch Games Of 2022
Image: Nintendo Life
And we’re back! Another year done and dusted, one that was jam-packed with Switch games. It might have lacked a mainline Zelda or Mario, but Pokémon fans got double bubble in 2022, with Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet topping and tailing the year.
In between those potent Pocket Monster packages, we got a large portion of Kirby (plus a tasty side dish), a selection of sports (both the Switch and Mario Strikers variety), a trio of excellent games with a ‘3’ in the title (Xenoblade, Splatoon, and Bayonetta), and both Koei Tecmo and Ubisoft taking the reins on Nintendo IP with Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes and Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope respectively.
Image: Nintendo Life
And that’s just the first-party stuff. Throw in all the quality third-party releases — Square Enix, in particular, was on fire this year with games like Triangle Strategy, Dragon Quest Treasures, and Crisis Core — a deluge of excellent indies, including Citizen Sleeper, Neon White, Tunic, and Chained Echoes, a great selection of retro collections, and a bevy of quality ports of games big and small, and there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to play everything we want to.
Which brings us to your picks of the top 50 best Switch games of 2022. As always, we asked Nintendo Life readers to rate the games this year, and the list below — as governed by the User Ratings for each title in our games database — is the result. The order can and will change, even after publication, subject to those fluctuating User Ratings, which means it’s never too late to rate your collection (even those pesky late-December arrivals) and influence the list.
Can’t see your favourites? Head to our library of Switch games and use the search bar to find what you’re looking for (or scroll to the very top of this page to do the same). Note. To become eligible, a game needs to have been rated by a minimum of 30 users.
Enough waffle. Let’s scroll down and enjoy 50 of the very best games of the year, 2022 edition…
Shovel Knight Dig is another triumphant and enjoyable entry in the popular indie knight’s growing legacy, offering up thrilling, challenging gameplay that will appeal to fans both old and new.
Though it may be a little on the short side, every minute of Shovel Knight Dig positively oozes quality, whether that be the snappy action-platforming or the fresh 16-bit art style and animation. We’d give this one a high recommendation to anyone who enjoyed the original platformers or to anyone looking for a tough (but not offputtingly tough) new roguelite. Shovel Knight Dig has got it where it counts and can stand tall beside its noble predecessors.
When it all works like it should, The House of the Dead: Remake is a fun update of a Sega arcade classic. The performance can be janky and the controls clunky on its default settings, but if you’re willing to put the time in to tweak them you should get something you’re happier with. You shouldn’t have to do that with a light gun shooter, though, and the fact you do has to go down as a failing on the game’s part.
Pac-Man World Re-Pac does a good job of reviving a decent 3D platformer for modern audiences. Tight controls, lots of collectibles, and enjoyable level design ultimately outweigh minor performance hiccups, and a general lack of imagination.
If you don’t consider yourself a fan of platforming or Pac-Man, nothing here is going to change your mind and we’d suggest you pass. If you like classic-style 3D platformers, Pac-Man World Re-Pac will absolutely prove itself worth your time, even if it doesn’t impress like the best in the genre.
Do you like RPGs or farm sims? If you answered yes to either or both, then you’re sure to find something you’ll love in Rune Factory 5. The relaxing pace, RPG elements, and charming aesthetic make this a compelling experience, but issues with poor performance, disappointing visuals, and sometimes clunky gameplay hold it back from greatness. If 3D visuals aren’t a dealbreaker for you, we’d recommend you pick up Rune Factory 4 Special first, as it oddly feels more modern in some respects. Despite flawed execution, Rune Factory 5 still comes recommended — if its precise and unique genre blend really clicks with you, you’ll forgive many a flaw. Just know that it doesn’t truly excel in any area.
There are still plenty more ways we’d like to see the Pokémon franchise evolve but despite some glaring technical hiccups, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet has us excited about the series’ future. We really hope Game Freak can figure out how to smooth out the series’ ongoing performance issues on Switch because they’re going to become a serious detriment over time.
Scarlet & Violet is most fun and exciting when you’re just exploring the world, and while there are many small new details and improvements to the Pokémon formula, it still plays it safe in a few areas. Regardless, things point toward a promising future for Gen 9 and beyond. It’s a smaller step than many may have hoped for, especially considering what Pokémon Legends: Arceus did, but it’s definitely one in the right direction.
Nintendo Switch Sports is a charming but barebones offering. It’s not a bad game by any stretch but it lacks an awful lot of what would make for a solid recommendation. Online play is the best option on offer with unlockable customisations and a predictably broader pool of players, but its limited scope means you’ll be doing the same thing time after time.
Local play is hobbled by a lack of any unlockables whatsoever, and with such limited options to change up how each sport plays out, solo play is a slog. There is fun to be had here, but it’s more in the vein of the occasional 30-minute play sessions with friends than anything with major long-term appeal. Nintendo Switch Sports is ‘fine’, then, but little more than that.
Sonic Origins is, on one hand, a near-definitive way to experience four stone-cold classics that represent some of the highest peaks of Sonic’s career. On the other, most of these games are already readily available and there aren’t many new features or additions to justify buying them yet again. The cutscenes, museum elements, and missions are all very pleasant but they’re also the minimum you would expect for a series this prestigious and popular.
For players ready to play these classics for the first time, Sonic Origins is the go-to way to experience Sonic’s 16-bit heyday. Die-hard 2D Sonic veterans may be less enamoured with the package and the small but noticeable differences between the Classic Modes presented here and the games in their true original configurations.
Regardless, it’s sure nice to have Sonic CD available in a convenient form on the most convenient of consoles. Not perfect, then, but great comfort-food gaming.
Cult of the Lamb proves to be a remarkably fresh take on the roguelite genre, not just in its goofy and creepy aesthetic, but in its smart blending of action and survival mechanics. Gameplay remains tense without ever feeling like it’s unfair and a steady stream of unlockables and collectables ensures that your efforts are always rewarded. It’s just a shame that the performance isn’t up to snuff, at least at launch, as that’s really the only major complaint that we have here. We’d still give this a hearty recommendation to anyone who thinks it might be up their alley; it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Cult of the Lamb proves itself to be a great new addition to the Switch library.
Despite obvious comparisons to the Super Nintendo game, Pocky & Rocky Reshrined is, for the vast majority, a completely new entry in the series.
Tengo Project, well aware of the original’s pedigree, was smart enough to only use it as inspiration, rather than attempt to follow its lead beat-for-beat. Within this modern framework, the developer has constructed a thrilling tapestry of light, colour, and action-packed junctures for hardcore gamers to get their teeth into. Is it better than Natsume’s venerable 1992 outing? No, but it’s about on par, albeit for slightly different reasons. Pocky & Rocky: Reshrined is a blessing, a gorgeous-looking, delightfully artful new interpretation of a much-loved classic.
As a whole, Tinykin is more than just a wholesome, stress-free 3D platformer or ‘Pikmin Lite’; it’s a lesson in appreciating the simple things in life, including the help from those around you. Even with a mass of collectibles and a free-flowing storyline to follow, Tinykin never feels cluttered or overwhelming. Despite feeling a lot like a certain Nintendo series when you first pick it up, the game has enough of a unique identity to separate itself from the pack, offering a pleasant, pure platforming spin on Pikmin.
Up Next: 2021
- Best Switch Games
- 2021
Metacritic named the best Nintendo Switch games of 2022 according to the media
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Metacritic has listed the top 40 games of 2022 for the Nintendo Switch . The rating is based on the preferences of journalists. Topping the list is Portal Companion Collection , which includes two puzzle pieces.
nine0053 The average was the collection on the aggregator was 96 out of 100 possible .
Japanese role-playing game Persona 5 Royal came in second, followed by Xenoblade Chronicles 3 .
The top 40 Nintendo Switch games of 2022 and their average Metacritic score:
- Portal Companion Collection — 96
- Persona 5 Royal — 94
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 — 89
- NieR: Automata — The End of YoRHa Edition — 89
- Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration — 89
- Neon White — 88
- Tunic — 88
- Cuphead — The Delicious Last Course — 88
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim — 88
- The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe — 87
- Two Point Campus — 87
- Tinykin — 87
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge — 87
- OlliOlli World — 87
- The Last Friend — 86
- Bayonetta 3 — 86
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero — 86
- Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope — 86
- Beacon Pines — 85
- Shovel Knight Dig — 85
- Easy Come Easy Golf — 85
- Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak — 85
- Return to Monkey Island — 85
- Kirby and the Forgotten Land — 85
- Tactics Ogre: Reborn — 85
- SNK vs.
Capcom: Card Fighters’ Clash — 84 - AI: The Somnium Files — nirvanA Initiative — 84
- Infernax — 84
- Retro Bowl — 84
- Nobody Saves the World — 83
- Yomawari: Lost in the Dark — 83
- Splatoon 3 — 83
- Wayward Strand — 83
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection — 83
- It Takes Two — 83
- Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth — 83
- Citizen Sleeper — 83
- Pokemon Legends: Arceus — 83
- Triangle Strategy — 83
- No Man’s Sky — 83
See also : There are still unsolved secrets about the little fox in Tunic.
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Top 40 Nintendo Switch Games of 2022 on Metacritic — DTF Games
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Portal Companion Collection in first place.
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On December 31, aggregator Metacritic published a list of the top 40 of 2022 for the Nintendo Switch. The site formed a rating based on average ratings according to journalists. The chart leader was the Portal Companion Collection, which includes two pieces of the Portal puzzle. Edition rating was 96 points out of 100.
In second place was JRPG Persona 5 Royal with a score of 94 points out of 100, while Xenoblade Chronicles 3, NieR: Automata — The End of YoRHa Edition and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration took the remaining positions in the top five, respectively with a score of 89 out of 100.
The top ten also included action platformer Neon White, action adventure Tunic, Cuphead expansion The Delicious Last Course, adventure game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe.
nine0003
Top 40 games of 2022 for Nintendo Switch
- Portal Companion Collection — 96 points out of 100
- Persona 5 Royal — 94
- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 — 89
- NieR: Automata — The End of YoRHa Edition — 89
- Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration — 89
- Neon White — 88
- Tunic — 88
- Cuphead — The Delicious Last Course — 88
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim — 88
- The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe — 87
- Two Point Campus — 87
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge — 87
- OlliOlli World — 87
- The Last Friend — 86
- Bayonetta 3 — 86
- The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero — 86
- Beacon Pines — 85
- Shovel Knight Dig — 85
- Easy Come Easy Golf — 85
- Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak — 85
- Return to Monkey Island — 85
- Tactics Ogre: Reborn — 85
- SNK vs.
nine0019 Tinykin — 87
nine0019 Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope — 86
nine0019 Kirby and the Forgotten Land — 85
