Parents' Guide to Wylde Flowers

Game Apple Arcade 2022
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Common Sense Media Review

Marc Saltzman By Marc Saltzman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Engaging sim emphasizes farming, community, acceptance.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 4+

Based on 1 parent review

What's It About?

WYLDE FLOWERS is a farming and gardening simulation that folds in many other game mechanics and story elements. It tells of a young girl named Tara who arrives in the small coastal town of Fairhaven to help out with her aging grandmother. The game starts with learning how to plant and cultivate fruits and vegetables, but you'll also take on tree planting, mining, farming and fishing tasks, perform various missions for the townsfolk, and bake and sell food from your farm. Early on, players will discover you're a witch. As part of a coven, you must master spells and learn how to ride a broom. The cast of about two dozen residents all have speaking roles -- with about 19 hours of dialog recorded for this game -- and each has a backstory to learn. You'll find friendship and perhaps love as you settle into Fairhaven as your new home.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

This is a really good game that's both relaxing and stimulating at the same time. Far more than a typical farming simulation, Wylde Flowers offers a lot of content, whether you have a few minutes or couple of hours to kill. It may not have the replayability of other sims, and there are a couple of technical bugs, but it's one of the best digital diversions on the popular service. The first thing you'll notice is how alive the town feels. Whether you're meeting the citizens or performing missions, you always feel like there's something new to discover. You'll also discover grandma's secret and the role you play in it, too, and how to improve in your witchy ways, as well. And you can focus on what you'd like, depending on the kind of experience you're after, whether it's a calming afternoon of fishing, hanging out in the pub if it's open, or making and selling wares. A larger mystery hangs over Fairhaven, which you'll also peel back. Wylde Flowers excels not just in its pacing but also making you feel you're in control of where you want the story to go, including relationships, which further draws you into this story.

There are a few little glitches of walking through objects or getting stuck in items, which can make you want to proceed close to a home or a person only when they seem to be nearby. Unfortunately, this may result in not wanting to explore this small but vibrant town. Other than some other bugs -- like picking moonflowers and thistles to make grandma tea but it wasn't in your inventory when you returned back home, or a character you converse with but when you see him again he acts like it's the first time he's met you -- there really isn't much else to complain about. Without spoiling the story for you, Wylde Flowers is all about community, inclusion and acceptance, and love of family, friend and neighbor. Apple Arcade subscribers who enjoy "life simulations" shouldn't hesitate to download this charming adventure.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether seeing alcohol in Wylde Flowers will make younger players want to consume alcohol in real life. Is it any different than seeing someone drink a beer or wine in a TV show or movie?

  • Do you think that parent's won't like the theme of witches, and how large a role it plays in Wylde Flowers, which seems like a "garden sim?" Is it harmless fantasy or will some think it embraces paganism?

Game Details

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