Parents' Guide to Summer in Mara

Bright, bold, and colorful visuals hook the player and the gentle eco-management story reels them in. Summer in Mara is a game that starts somewhat slow with a sandbox world and seemingly little direction on how to improve equipment, before blossoming into a tale that's worth revisiting. The music is exquisite, and the visuals are veritable eye candy. The farming elements and crafting elements are intertwined well, always giving players something to do. It's not entirely perfect, though. At the start of the game, Yaya, the individual raising Koa, tells the child of the importance of replenishing what is taken. Koa cuts down a tree and plants another from the seed Yaya gives him. But finding other seeds seems frustrating at first, and it's not until several trees are reduced to crafting supplies that seeds start to drop. And if Koa does not harvest when things are ready, they will deteriorate.

Additionally, there's a day-and-night cycle that can limit progress, but Koa needs to eat and to sleep. Finding new recipes, initially, is also hard, requiring players to slow down and not try to rush through the game. That's good news, especially if you're looking for a peaceful adventure, but bad news for hardcore gamers that want to get to the ending as quickly as possible. But if you're looking for an eco-friendly game that embraces a slower pace, with farming, crafting, and exploring, this is the game for you.