Wholesome Games has introduced people to a wide array of heartwarming and cozy titles, and one stand-out from E3 2021's Wholesome Direct was Yokai Inn. This Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, and Studio Ghibli-inspired life-sim puts players in charge of a Taisho-era Inn frequented by yokai; spooks and spirits from traditional Japanese folklore. The indie game is still a long ways off, but what has been revealed so far has many excited to learn more.
Shiba Pixels, the game's solo programmer, artist, writer, and designer, recently released an art update that brings Yokai Inn more in-line with its Studio Ghibli influences just in time for Halloween. Hot on the heels of its latest trailer, Game Rant spoke to Shiba about Yokai Inn's ongoing development and features, including the game's characters and relationship system.
Deep Friendships and Casual Acquaintances in Yokai Inn
One of the features that helped Stardew Valley stand out from the crowd is Pelican Town's collection of charming characters with whom players can develop deep, ongoing relationships. The Animal Crossing series also succeeds in-part thanks to the quirky inhabitants who settle in, mingle, and occasionally move on from a player's town or island. Yokai Inn is inspired by both, and seems to be borrowing from each titles' relationship systems.
"I’m planning for at least a dozen characters for players to have deep friendships with, alongside casual friendships you can develop with yokai patrons. I may add more as development goes on, and even post-release."
The villagers and the staff of the player's inn will be constant presences throughout the game, with personal narratives and relationships a player can develop over time, while the yokai who act as guests are more akin to visiting villagers from Animal Crossing. Having a mix of consistent personalities to flavor the game, paired with a wide variety of visitors, is a great formula to keep the game's routines feeling fresh and lively - not unlike a bustling Inn.
Yokai Inn's Colorful Characters and Personable Patrons
Yokai Inn is still early in development, so Shiba is keeping many of the game's features close to the chest. However, he had a few details to share about two characters who players will bond with over the course of their journey.
"Kazuya is the head chef of the inn, and acts as a mentor figure for the player. He kinda looks like a cross between a tanuki and a bear. He’s a stern but fair teacher, and wants to have the best service for the inn. Satoshi is a river otter and a new recruit for the Evening Watch, a group that patrols the town to protect the innocent from malicious yokai. But it is his first job, so he has a nervous personality."
These descriptions offer some interesting tidbits that tease other parts of Yokai Inn's gameplay. Cooking often functions as a sort of crafting nexus, incorporating other systems like fishing, farming, and foraging, as seen in Stardew Valley's cooking system. While Yokai Inn's crafting system is still in early development, Shiba said he hopes to incorporate that kind of synergy between the game's systems. Therefore, given cooking's central significance, having the head chef serve as the player's mentor figure makes a lot of sense.
Satoshi's description also raises a few intriuging questions. The presence of malicious yokai teases the possibility of hostile interactions, and introduces a hint of danger to the otherwise relaxing and wholesome title. Players hoping for a Stardew Valley or Haunted Chocolatier-like combat system may be disappointed, however. Shiba said combat is "always a contentious topic" in wholesome game development. Rather than fighting, he is considering a magic system featuring various talismans that will keep bad yokai at bay.
Special Accomodations and VIPs
While Shiba has yet to release the mechanics behind Yokai Inn's friendship system, it is safe to guess that players will exchange gifts and conversations with the game's consistent cast in a manner similar to Stardew Valley's relationship system. But this still leaves open questions regarding guests who simply come and go.
Shiba revealed that adding different amenities to the inn, such as the onsen and restaurant, will attract different spirits. Furthermore, certain guests will arrive with a great deal of pomp and circumstance, and players will be informed of their stay in advance, allowing them to prepare a special reception. As with Animal Crossing's villagers, satisfied customers will reward players with gifts including cosmetic items.
Yokai Inn is currently in development for PC and Switch.