Disney Dreamlight Valley is an upcoming adventure game developed and published by Gameloft Montreal. The game is set in the titular Dreamlight Valley, a magical valley populated by Disney and Pixar characters who have lost their memories due to a curse. The player takes on the role of a customizable human character who must explore the valley, gather resources, and use magic to clear away Night Thorns, which are unwanted plants with dark magic that appear throughout the valley.
Early Access and Release Date
The game was released in early access for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on September 6, 2022. The macOS version was released in early access on December 6, 2022, together with the game's second content update. To play the game with early access, a payment for a Founder's Pack or an Xbox Game Pass subscription is required. However, the game will be fully released as a free-to-play game in 2023.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Disney Dreamlight Valley is similar to that of Nintendo's Animal Crossing games, with a nonlinear gameplay style. The valley is synced to real-time, based on the time set on the player's console or computer. The player can gather resources, craft materials, and furniture, and cook meals at various stations found throughout the valley. Meals can replenish energy, which is necessary to use magic-imbued tools, such as a pickaxe, a shovel, a fishing rod, and a watering can. The player can also change their appearance and outfit at any time using the Touch of Magic clothing customization feature.
The player takes on the role of a customizable human character, who must explore the valley, gather resources, and use magic to clear away unwanted plants. The game was released in early access in September 2022 and will be fully released as a free-to-play game in 2023. The gameplay is nonlinear, similar to that of Nintendo's Animal Crossing games, with various crafting and cooking stations available to the player, along with a Touch of Magic clothing customization feature.
Currency and Building
In Disney Dreamlight Valley, players can earn a currency called Star Coins by selling most items in their inventory to Goofy at various stalls throughout the valley. These coins can be used to buy crops and seeds, materials, certain foods, clothes, furniture, and building upgrades. New buildings or upgrades provide additional benefits, such as more items available at Goofy's stalls or more space in the player's house.
The game allows players to interact with and befriend various Disney and Pixar characters, including heroes and villains. By having daily discussions, giving gifts, completing quests assigned by the characters, and hanging out with them to do various activities like gardening, mining, digging, harvesting, and fishing, players can raise a friendship level with them. Raising the friendship level rewards players with Star Coins, exclusive furniture and clothes, exclusive motifs for Touch of Magic, and increased resources from hanging out with the characters.
The game's story begins with the player returning to their old rural home and visiting the backyard play area they used to enjoy as a child. As they fall asleep on a picnic blanket, they enter the Dreamlight Valley, where they meet Merlin, the wise old wizard. Merlin explains that Dreamlight Valley used to be a place where Disney and Pixar characters co-existed in harmony until the disappearance of their beloved ruler. The Night Thorns, dark plants that drain memories, began to grow and cause characters to forget their past and flee to their home realms for protection.
Restoring and Rebuilding the Dreamlight Valley
Once the player has collected enough Dreamlight, they can enter the Dream Castle to restore the memory of the beloved ruler and lift the curse from the Dreamlight Valley. However, the entrance to the Dream Castle is blocked by a massive Night Thorn, and the player must team up with the other characters to clear it and enter the castle.
Inside the Dream Castle, the player uncovers the truth about the ruler's disappearance and learns how to reverse the curse. The player then returns to the valley and performs a ritual to lift the curse, which causes the Night Thorns to disappear, and all the characters' memories are restored. The player is then thanked by all the characters and the ruler, and the Dreamlight Valley returns to its former state.
In addition to helping characters and restoring the valley, the player can participate in various events and seasonal activities, such as planting special crops, decorating the valley for holidays, and participating in mini-games with other characters. The game encourages players to interact with the characters and explore the valley to its fullest potential.
Characters in Dreamlight Valley
The game features many Disney and Pixar characters, including some of the most iconic ones. Players can encounter Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy, along with many other classic Disney characters such as Donald Duck, Prince Eric, and Ariel. Pixar favorites like Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and WALL·E are also present in Dreamlight Valley.
Furthermore, players can meet the adventurous Moana, the brave Simba, and the fearless Elsa and Anna from Frozen. They can also interact with the cunning Scar, the manipulative Mother Gothel, and the menacing Ursula. The list of characters in the game is extensive and keeps expanding as new updates come out.
Unlockable Companions
In addition to encountering characters, players can also unlock companions that will assist them in their journey. Pua from Moana is one such unlockable companion. Pua is a loyal and friendly pet who helps the player in various ways during their adventure.
Upcoming Characters
Disney Dreamlight Valley is continually updated with new characters and content. Some of the characters that have been announced to be added in later updates include Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Ralph from Wreck-It Ralph, and Timon and Pumbaa from The Lion King. Fans of the movie Encanto can also expect Mirabel Madrigal to be added to the game.
Final Performance of Ursula
The character of Ursula, the villainous sea witch from The Little Mermaid, is also present in Disney Dreamlight Valley. It is worth noting that Ursula's voice actor, Pat Carroll, passed away on July 30, 2022. Her performance in the game marks her final performance as the iconic character.
Disney Dream Light Valley 2023 updates
In 2023, Disney Dreamlight Valley has exciting updates planned with the first one scheduled for release in early summer. Although the exact release date is unknown, it is anticipated to arrive in June based on the release pattern of previous updates.
The official roadmap has teased that the update will include the unveiling of the secret to The Forgetting, and a princess will race into the Valley. The teaser image for this update features the mysterious pumpkin house, indicating that Cinderella might be the princess in question. Alternatively, the race into the Valley could refer to Vanellope von Schweetz.
The 2023 roadmap for Disney Dreamlight Valley also reveals exciting new content that will be added throughout the year, including beloved characters like Mirabel from Encanto, Simba from The Lion King, and possibly Belle from Beauty and the Beast. There will be new realms, clothing, motifs, and furniture added to the game.
Multiplayer is another highly anticipated addition to the game, and it will be available throughout the rest of 2023. Although there are no concrete dates for the updates after April, Disney Dreamlight Valley fans can look forward to a year filled with surprises and new content.
Downloadable content
The game features three Founder's Packs that are available during the game's early access period. These Founder's Packs are required for early access and contain premium currency, wearable items, decoration items, and animal companions. The Standard pack includes 8,000 Moonstones, 2 wearable items, and 9 decoration items. The Deluxe pack includes all Standard Edition Cosmetic Items, a Celestial Sea Turtle Animal Companion, 7 Wearable Items, and 10 Decoration Items. The Ultimate pack includes all Deluxe Edition Cosmetic Items, a Regal Fox Animal Companion, 4 Wearable Items, and 15 Decoration Items.
Reception
The game has received positive reviews from gamers around the world. The game has been praised for its beautiful graphics, accurate depiction of Disney and Pixar characters, and engaging gameplay. The game's life simulation adventure theme has been commended for being unique and innovative, which sets it apart from other simulation games.
Final Thoughts
Disney Dreamlight Valley is an exciting and immersive life simulation adventure game that offers players the chance to explore a magical world populated by beloved Disney and Pixar characters. With nonlinear gameplay, customizable characters, and a variety of resources and building options, the game is sure to provide endless hours of entertainment for players of all ages. While it is currently only available in early access, the full release as a free-to-play game in 2023 is highly anticipated.
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