Summary
In a sea of relaxing simulation games,Mineko’s Night Marketstands out with a story that highlights Japanese culture. Developed by Meowza Games,Mineko’s Night Marketfocuses on the titular character Mineko, a curious girl exploring her new home in Mount Fugu and learning new recipes to prepare for the weekend night market. Mineko also goes on whimsical quests to search for the Sun Cat, Nikko, and uncover the secrets of Mount Fugu in order to help restore the village to its former glory.
Mineko’s Night Markethas been compared toStardew ValleyandAnimal Crossingdue to similarities in gameplay and cozy atmosphere. But what has many players hooked is the adorable take on folklore and the opportunity to preserve Mount Fugu’s culture.
The Charm of Mineko’s Night Market
Mineko’s Night Market Combines Social and Business Mechanics With a Respect For Culture
Just likeStardew ValleyandAnimal Crossing, players are engaged in both a business and social simulation inMineko’s Night Market. Meowza Games wanted to incorporate the sights and sounds of a summer night market in Japan where people like Mineko can socialize and have fun with their friends. It’s a great setting to immerse players in Mount Fugu’s surroundings and have a feel of the village’s heritage.
The beauty ofMineko’s Night Marketis that it’s influenced by Japanese culture. Meowza Games co-founder Brent Kobayashi, who was raised by two Japanese-born parents in Canada, said that he wanted to incorporate the culture he grew up with in Vancouver. The city has a long history of Japanese immigration, and has the highest population of Japanese residents in Canada. Kobayashi’s visits to the local Powell Street Festival inspired the summer night market in the game.
Likewise, Mount Fugu is a reimagined version of Mount Fuji, but players can still feel the location’s sacred and mysterious nature. AlthoughMineko’s Night Marketdidn’t dive deep into Japanese mythology, it still has elements of magic and mysticism. The Sun Cat Nikko, who is worshiped by villagers, is also based on a supernatural entity named Bakeneko. They are long-tailed humanoid cats that can shapeshift and mimic human speech. While they’re often described as always up to no good, Nikko seems more docile whenever he appears in the game to help out Mineko.
Such a vibrant culture deserves to be preserved, andMineko’s Night Markethighlights this, as Mineko and her friends work together to bypass the Agents roaming around Mount Fugu. This is mostly accomplished by freeing the adorable cats that the Agents are guarding, which could be the key to uncovering Nikko’s presence on the island, among other secrets.
The preservation of culture is reminiscent offarming sims likeCoral Island. The Stairway Games title is set on a Southeast Asian-inspired tropical island with oil-contaminated waters, and villagers dealing with a corporation set on industrializing Coral Island. Both Mineko andCoral Island’s main character are tasked with completing quests to save their home village in some way. All while bringing happiness to their fellow villagers through their products and crafts.
Reviews ofMineko’s Night Marketmay have been mixed on the game’s overall pacing, but it’s still considered a cozyStardew Valley-esque game. Its enchanting vibe continues to intrigue players, encouraging them to breeze through it to uncover its full story.
Social simulation games likeMineko’s Night Markethave a way of making players feel like they’re part of a community and a bigger magical world. The night market sections give players a great opportunity to get to know other villagers as they visit their stalls and purchase their wares.Mineko’s Night Market’s minigamesare also a glimpse of some of the fun activities that Kobayashi experienced at night markets.
Stardew Valley
WHERE TO PLAY
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!
