Mutazione

god this is such a good game. it would absolutely have an incredibly dedicated fanbase if it wasn't so niche. perfect game for people like me who love reading dialogue and interacting with other characters.

The most caring and sympathetic dialogue I've read in a game. I wish this was book so I could earmark many of the lines. The audio is immensely relaxing as well.

Tremendously beautiful game. Very easy in terms of figuring out what you need to do, as you have a handy dandy journal to keep you guided, though it's nice to wander around catching up with the villagers every day. Quietly a game about trauma and community and healing, which was a joy to experience. Really can't recommend this little gem more.

I played for 12 hours but when it came time to do the epilogue, I bailed. But I still recommend it? Idk, I guess I just thought the gardening would be a bigger focus and something I would need to tend to, but you really just need to plant them and move on. Same with exploring, I just thought with such a rich environment there would be more to explore. I kept thinking "oh NOW it's going to ramp up!" Like, the whole game felt kind of like a prologue to me.
I do think part of my disappointment is that I mainly play horror games and I found this after searching through the horror genre. So like, reasonable for me to expect it to be scary in some way. And there were parts that I was like "yeah, this could be construed as mildly chilling for a child" but this feels more like a cozy game (I'd guess, I've never played a cozy game before but this seemed like it would fit the bill). So yeah, musical gardening, 7 days, 7 gardens, cute story lines, GORGEOUS animation, and cool looking plants. If you want a nice, chill, low-stakes game then I'd recommend it.

An ordinary life blossoming on the extraordinary.
The cozy warmth and affection of a fading countryside.
돌연변이 마을의 전원일기.

I don't think the summary quite does this game the justice it deserves - there's so much more depth to the characters than simply "small-town drama." You'll explore loss, personal philosophies/anxieties, relationship conflict - romantic, platonic, and familial, and the general growth and rebuilding of a community that's been outcasted and torn about by so much trauma.
Mind you ALL of this is tucked into a neat little package of a point & click type of walking simulator. Time passes in a very clear way - you are free to explore as much of the world is open to you at any point during the day, without fear of missing out on a conversation or something to be seen. Each day is split into general (early) morning/afternoon/(late) night sections with clocks marking interactions that will end that point in the day. From personal experience, each day takes about an hour to complete - the first day running a bit longer. This allows for a very relaxing, casual paced gameplay that truly lets you stop and smell the flowers.
Speaking of, you'll be tasked with bringing back flora to the area. There is a mini game in the main menu that will let you dip your toes in right away, but throughout the game you'll be tasked with growing certain plants to help progress the story. And as is consistent with the rest of the game, this requires minimum upkeep and effort - no worries about having to remember to water your plants, and if you make a mistake you can remove a plant and keep the seeds you had planted.
An overall very human exploration of personal/communal feelings despite the self-described "mutant" environment.

Words can't even begin to describe this game. But if I can try, it was mesmerizing, touching, and one of a kind.
It's SO much more than just a "walk around and pick up seeds and then plant them" game. Seriously. Through the main character, I felt like I was traveling to another world. The story is beautiful, the music is encapsulating, and the characters, despite most of their looks, feel so human and down to earth. I loved talking to them every chance I got. The art is jaw-dropping, the world is engaging, and the story is one to remember. I also love how the main character would journal her thoughts in her notebook, and I would always relate to her reactions to things lol.
I do have to say though, because the you'll always be longing to know what happens next, once the game is over, you might feel a bit sad. Okay, "a bit" is an understatement. You'll feel super sad. Maybe even teary like I was. You'll be heart-broken to say goodbye, but happy that you were able to live through it. At least that's how I felt. I know I'll be playing this game all over again in the future to relive its beauty.
So if you're looking for a game with intricate story, gorgeous visuals, characters that will show you what it means to be human again, and a plethora of melodious gardens that you can sit and listen to (there's a sandbox mode!!), put this game in your wishlist or give it a shot. I got this on an impulse buy during a sale and I'll never regret it.