Hokko Life Preview - Everything you need to know

Stepping off the train, you’re greeted by a soft artstyle and immediately immersed into the charming world of Hokko. 

• Craft: Amble into the forest or abandoned mine (Stardew vibes, anyone?) for resources and turn them into materials to use in your own designs.
• Design: At the small but mighty design table, craft your own furniture pieces - however you like. Combine different shapes and materials, creating something truly unique. 
• Paint: Get your paintbrushes out and swirl your shirts, wallpaper and flooring in vibrant colors. This feature takes inspiration from our favorite Able Sisters and their crafty claws.
• Build: Place buildings, wherever you want. No restrictions to grids, free reign baby. 
• Decorate: Want to spruce your interior with pieces you’ve crafted? Design an elaborate green space your townsfolk will flock to? Hokko Life provides.
• Fish: Get reeled into the wonderfully casual nature of the game and spend a morning by the water. With each fish creating a different challenge, you’ll need to vary your approach to ensure a bite!
• Bug Hunt: Beautiful butterflies and bugs inhabit Hokko, can you complete the collection? On your daily stroll around town, keep a lookout for any on your journey. 

Armed with tools and imagination, you have complete freedom to design a town your villagers will adore. No, I’m not describing Animal Crossing - hear me out. There’s plenty to anticipate from Hokko Life that we haven’t seen before.

When last year's trailer dropped, something that had me adding to the wishlist was the level of customization for furniture. With overlooked details like cushions having a moment and seemingly complete control over the colors of each section, it feels like we’re in store for some hefty customization. Do I even need to mention diagonal furniture placement? Every in-game interior designer has dreamed of this day. 

The whole trailer is jam-packed with feel-good vibes and wonder. It should appease the craving for an Animal Crossing/Stardew crossover for now. 

The best part? Looking at the systems requirements to run this game, it’s not going to take up nearly as much room as say, The Sims, and you don’t need a beasty PC either. 

Created by a primarily one-person studio (much like our favorite farming simulator Stardew Valley), we’re no stranger to such large projects taking a lot of time and resources to complete. For anybody who’s eagerly awaiting Paralives, you’re with me on this.

That’s why it’s so exciting that it’s nearly here, even if it’s just the base game with room to grow.

Bringing the game to Early Access first is a perfect way for players to get a taste while the studios can continue to develop and improve the game. The Hokko Life Discord server will act as a hub for all players, hosting competitions, polls and discussions on the current and future development plans for the game. This, paired with the support and input from the community, means Hokko Life can essentially be shaped by those who love simulation games. 

The developers have already promised exciting items to unlock and collect, amusing and interesting dialogue, as well as continually added depth to the different gameplay features. I can’t wait to see what Hokko Life has in store.