Studio Ghibli Meets Stardew Valley In Beautiful New Game We Need Now

Stardew Valley fans may be waiting for another big update, and Studio Ghibli fans may be checking their notifications to see when the next movie is announced. But thanks to yesterday’s Xbox Games Showcase, we’ve got a sneak peek at an upcoming game that looks like the perfect balance between the two.

Life-sim games like Stardew Valley haven’t shied away from Studio Ghibli inspirations before. We’ve even reported on a number of those Ghibli-inspired games here at ScreenRant. However, the latest trailer on YouTube for Vivarium may be the most Ghibli-fied game we’ve ever seen. You can watch the new trailer below:

Let’s talk about aesthetics first. Vivarium looks like an anime straight out of the 1980s or early ’90s, with cel-shading and animations that look like they were drawn by hand for a film that came out 40 years ago. It’s honestly gorgeous and amazing, and the look of Vivarium had me hooked right away.

This isn’t to mention the characters, which include protagonist Jenny and a fisherman who is an actual humanoid catfish. We also get to see a couple of shopkeepers and various buildings around town. This is no ordinary life sim, though, because the premise is also pretty cool – it all takes place inside a terrarium.

And then there’s the gameplay, which should sound familiar to anyone who’s played a life sim before. As Jenny, you’ll discover and cook new recipes, tend to a garden, craft items, and decorate your home. You’ll also be able to repair equipment and set out on adventures. There are also items to collect, like stickers, classic novels, and vinyl records.

Vivarium syncs its days to the player’s IRL calendar, and finishing major story events will progress time. However, nights offer these slice-of-life mechanics that remind us so much of Stardew Valley. Each character will also have their own arc for you to follow along with, offering even more depth to the experience.

Right now, Vivarium has been announced for both Xbox and Steam, and it’s confirmed to be joining the list of day-one games released for Xbox Game Pass. It looks like Studio Mayflower and Serenity Forge have made some truly special here. Vivarium seems to embody that Studio Ghibli aesthetic and tone perfectly, and its gameplay should appeal to anyone who loves Stardew Valley and life sims. Honestly, the worst part might just be having to wait for the game to come out.

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