“Birthdays The Beginning” Review

For multiple decades people have argued over a theory that originated from a man named Charles Darwin. Darwinism is a theory that all life stems from evolution. Others have argued that we all have come to be by the placement of a divine entity. Regardless of what you believe, most people have always found the origin of life alluring.

What Is It?

Yasuhiro Wada, the creator of Harvest Moon, brings us his most recent release, Birthdays the Beginning. This game allows you to spawn your own forms of life via your own little in-game cube. The life you create varies based on how the ecosystem is influenced.

It is your job to influence this life from its spawn point as little spores, until it grows into its own fully established society. Harvest Moon was a huge success focused around simple farm life. Is Birthdays the Beginning just as good? Or are all the added organisms cause for this game to be too complex for enjoyment?

Why Should I Care?

This game is a new, unique concept that stands all on its own. Although at first glance you may want to compare it to Minecraft or Dragon Quest Builders, it’s not. The main similarity all these games have is building your own world from scratch. However, in Birthdays the Beginning, your focal point is generating new, sustainable life within an unconstrained ecosystem.

You monitor all your collective species and must be careful not to have a great deal of them becoming endangered or extinct. This game is for any intuitive thinker that wishes to create and then sit back and observe the fruit of their labor. The ultimate goal being to start at organism and evolve through many different creatures ending in humans.

Is It Worth My Time And Money?

The game has its advantages. If you’re into geography or how climate-related elements work, then this is a great game for you. If you’re into the state of evolution and open world sandbox style games, then this is also the game for you.  Flaws include the stiffness of the camera’s feel at times, as well as a drawn out tutorial that you must follow, even if you wish to replay the game for a second time.

The options you have to use are limited, however I don’t feel this is a flaw. I feel not having an overabundance of options keeps gameplay on point. When you’re playing a game concerning creating your own world from the ground up, having too many options may come off as overwhelming. This would result in players taking more time searching through options than actually enjoying the game.

The game is worth it if sandbox creation games are your thing. On the other hand, if you’re like me and felt you would get this game based on your love of Harvest Moon only, that would be like comparing apples and oranges, and this may be a skip.

Title:
Birthdays the Beginning
Platform:
PlayStation 4, PC
Publisher:
NIS America
Developer:
Toybox
Genre:
Sandbox
Release Date:
May 9, 2017
ESRB Rating:
E
Editor's Note:
The review code was provided by the publisher.

For multiple decades people have argued over a theory that originated from a man named Charles Darwin. Darwinism is a theory that all life stems from evolution. Others have argued that we all have come to be by the placement of…

For multiple decades people have argued over a theory that originated from a man named Charles Darwin. Darwinism is a theory that all life stems from evolution. Others have argued that we all have come to be by the placement of a divine entity. Regardless of what you believe, most people have always found the origin of life alluring.

What Is It?

Yasuhiro Wada, the creator of Harvest Moon, brings us his most recent release, Birthdays the Beginning. This game allows you to spawn your own forms of life via your own little in-game cube. The life you create varies based on how the ecosystem is influenced.

It is your job to influence this life from its spawn point as little spores, until it grows into its own fully established society. Harvest Moon was a huge success focused around simple farm life. Is Birthdays the Beginning just as good? Or are all the added organisms cause for this game to be too complex for enjoyment?

Why Should I Care?

This game is a new, unique concept that stands all on its own. Although at first glance you may want to compare it to Minecraft or Dragon Quest Builders, it’s not. The main similarity all these games have is building your own world from scratch. However, in Birthdays the Beginning, your focal point is generating new, sustainable life within an unconstrained ecosystem.

You monitor all your collective species and must be careful not to have a great deal of them becoming endangered or extinct. This game is for any intuitive thinker that wishes to create and then sit back and observe the fruit of their labor. The ultimate goal being to start at organism and evolve through many different creatures ending in humans.

Is It Worth My Time And Money?

The game has its advantages. If you’re into geography or how climate-related elements work, then this is a great game for you. If you’re into the state of evolution and open world sandbox style games, then this is also the game for you.  Flaws include the stiffness of the camera’s feel at times, as well as a drawn out tutorial that you must follow, even if you wish to replay the game for a second time.

The options you have to use are limited, however I don’t feel this is a flaw. I feel not having an overabundance of options keeps gameplay on point. When you’re playing a game concerning creating your own world from the ground up, having too many options may come off as overwhelming. This would result in players taking more time searching through options than actually enjoying the game.

The game is worth it if sandbox creation games are your thing. On the other hand, if you’re like me and felt you would get this game based on your love of Harvest Moon only, that would be like comparing apples and oranges, and this may be a skip.

Date published: 05/15/2017
3 / 5 stars