Garden Story Logo

FACTSHEET

Developer:
Picogram
based in Portland, OR USA

Publishers:
Rose City Games
Kowloon Nights

Release date:
August 11, 2021

Platforms:
Nintendo Switch, Steam, Xbox

Website:
gardenstorygame.com

Regular Price:
$19.99

DESCRIPTION

Unify a broken community as the newly-appointed Guardian of The Grove. Traverse a vibrant island to combat invasive Rot, inspire its inhabitants, and rebuild your home. You won't have to do this alone: fruity friends await, ready to lend a hand!

Concord, the youngest grape in The Grove, is now a Guardian, and it’s their job to help restore the island. That’s a lot to shoulder for a grape barely off the vine… and more than a few inhabitants are skeptical they have what it takes. Fortunately, Concord has friends like Elderberry, Rana, and Fuji on their side! With their help, you can take on the dangerous Rot and find ways to encourage other residents to assist in the efforts. 

The Grove is your home, and your work will affect change for the better! Protect your friends, gather precious materials, and repair social ties and structures by bringing the fruits, fungi, and frogs of each village together as they work to fend off the Rot that threatens to destroy your home for good. Guide Concord’s restoration efforts and earn the trust of the community: help others with their problems, and they’ll offer you help in turn!

There’s plenty of work to be done, but don’t forget to take time and appreciate this lush world and the fruits of your labor. Listen to the sweet and catchy music of the island, relax in The Grove’s cozy and inviting atmosphere, cultivate gardens and libraries, and enjoy the delightful personalities you’ll meet along the way.

FEATURES

  • Explore a lush, living world: Immerse yourself in The Grove’s vibrant, organic ecosystem with four distinct (and adorable!) regions to enjoy. 

  • Foster community: Take on requests, complete favors, and work as a role model to provide inhabitants with the confidence to support one another. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: we’re rebuilding together!

  • Combat Rot: Solve puzzles and fend off Rot as you delve into particularly infested locations of The Grove. Take caution: especially formidable Rot have taken residence in the depths of these areas!

  • Experiment with equipment: Utilize a variety of items to help gather resources, grow gardens, stave off Rot, solve puzzles, and indulge in the occasional musical interlude!

  • Cultivate your home: Care for garden plots, gather resources, curate libraries, upgrade your tools, and rebuild structures.

HISTORY

Picogram first began developing Garden Story in March 2018 and signed with publisher Rose CIty Games in June 2019, allowing them to begin full-time work on the game. While Picogram previously participated in game jams to create titles like P.E. Noire and goodbye, doggy, this is their first full commercial title.

The Autumn Town Demo made its debut in November 2019 on Steam, following up with showcases at events like PAX East, The Escapist E3 Indie Showcase, and the Wholesome Games Direct.

In June 2020, the team announced their 2021 release window in conjunction with their new partner, Kowloon Nights.

In August 2021, Garden Story was featured in the Nintendo Indie World Showcase where the team revealed the launch trailer and release date.

Thematically, Garden Story encourages stewardship of your community, and its adventures are centered around helping those around you and working together towards a common goal. Nothing is accomplished alone. 

Garden Story is an Action-RPG, but the action isn’t isolated to combat. Gardening, building, fixing are given equal attention and reward. Picogram wants to highlight honest work and showcase the importance of coming together when times get tough.

These themes, combined with Picogram’s distinctive pixel art style, help cultivate an environment for players to navigate the challenges and rewards of community involvement. With unique towns and characters, Picogram hopes to provide an environment that players can call a home away from home.

TRAILER & SCREENSHOTS

KEY ART

LOGOS

SELECTED ARTICLES

  • “Magical, whimsical, and a whole lot of wholesome, Garden Story is a must-play and a home run for Picogram and Rose City Games.”

    But Why Tho?

  • “The wonderful work of Grahm Nesbitt on the delightful soundtrack and effects enhances Picogram’s charming art, design, and polished programming to create an experience that evokes a fun time of thrills and chills.”
    The Escapist

  • "While it shares elements with farming sims, dungeon crawlers, and even Soulslike action games, Garden Story succeeds by being wholly its own thing."

    Goomba Stomp

AWARDS

  • Showcase Selection Day of the Devs (2021)

  • Showcase Selection Wholesome Direct (2021)

  • Showcase Selection Indie Megabooth PAX East (2020)

  • Showcase Selection The Escapist E3 Indie Showcase (2020)

  • Showcase Selection Wholesome Direct (2020)

  • Showcase Selection LudoNarraCon (2020)

  • Showcase Selection THE MIX LIVE (2020)

  • Showcase Selection PAX Together PAX South (2020)

  • Showcase Selection INDIGO (2020)

  • Showcase Selection The MIX PAX West (2019)

  • Showcase Selection The SIX PAX West (2019)

ABOUT PICOGRAM

Picogram loves great stories, and they strive to tell unique narratives in their works.

More information on Picogram is available here.

ABOUT ROSE CITY GAMES

Rose City Games is an indie studio based in Portland, Oregon, born from the love of games and community. Inspired by the games we grew up playing. we’re dedicated to telling fantastical stories that immerse players through striking artwork and unforgettable soundtracks.

Contact

Inquiries
hello@rosecitygames.com

Twitter
https://twitter.com/rosecitygames

Web
https://www.rosecitygames.com/

CREDITS

Picogram
Programming & Art

Grahm Nesbitt
Music