Little Dragon’s Cafe is set in a fantasy island, and the protagonists to wake up their fallen mother (human and dragon mixed blood), and they must cure their mother while trying to maintain their mother’s cafe. The protagonist needs to train a dragon, which is the key to awakening the mother, and on the other hand, they need to collect all kinds of materials to let the cafe operate normally. This title is another collaboration between Yasuhiro Wada and his old partner, Igusa Matsuyama, after Harvest Moon. Mr. Wada left Marvelous Entertainment Inc. more than ten years ago, and he is no longer involved in the production of related works in Harvest Moon. However, Yasuhiro Wada and Igusa Matsuyama have always been very good friends, and this time, both of them have suitable time together to collaborate again, so there is their new collaboration: Little Dragon’s Cafe.
mxdwn Games has the privilege of being invited to a media press event of the Little Dragon’s Cafe and had a chance to meet the game’s design legend, Yasuhiro Wada, in person. Before I met Yasuhiro Wada, I knew that he created Harvest Moon series, thinking that he must be a gentle and even a bit of a warm person. However, after actually meeting and talking to him, I found out he has a clear viewpoint and proposition like the rock musician, and perhaps because of this, the games he designs always have a unique temperament than other games.
Mr. Wada said that his habit of designing games was to design the system first, then to set the background and the plot. “I am not good at designing the battling system,” said Yasuhiro Wada, “I always want to do something different, games I want to make.” He took a huge risk to produce Harvest Moon because, and at the time, there was no such a game like that since most of the games were about competition or battling. Regarding the concept of “no battle,” Mr. Wada told us that he enjoys playing games like Monster Hunter. “I know we won’t be able to win games on the battling system, but I do believe the love on game creation I have can help me succeed.” Mr. Wada said.
There are 20 kinds of dragon colors depending on what kind of food your choice to feed. The game simulates the adventures of finding recipes and ingredients for cooking, such as bringing wild birds home to collect eggs, hunting piggies, taking fruits and vegetables, seasonings in trees or woods, and fishing in the ocean or river. With the help of the dragon, you can go to the caves to pick up the special ingredients, hunt in the wood, and dive into the ocean to catch a fish. While carrying on with the story, you will grow with the dragon, such as overcome obstacles by pushing rocks that block the road, flying in the sky, and going to places that have not been reachable on the island.
Little Dragon’s Cafe is not about the battle; it’s about empathy for others. The game shows a variety of characters who have their shortcomings, but they will eventually build themselves up and eventually work together to overcome difficulties. Overall, this will be a warm, happy work, but of course, there may be some sad content.
“I want to make people happy. I want to encourage people with my work,” Mr. Wada said, “there are lots of sad things happens in real life such as the earthquake that motivates me to produce peaceful games.”
In Mr. Wada’s view, it is a correct choice to play games for market demand, but indie games have the value to offer chances to people create their special works. “So, instead of saying that I want to do something different, I want to say can only do different things,” Mr. Wada said, “such as the old wizard without feet.”
Little Dragon’s Cafe is coming out on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on Aug 24, 2018.