Research Story

Research Story sends you to the town of Shimmerbrook, where sightings of exotic plants and creatures have drawn a wave of new settlers. The Violet Archive was set up to record the region's development, and it needs researchers, so you begin a new life documenting everything Shimmerbrook has to offer.

At its core the game is about research and discovery. You find and record more than 90 plants, creatures and fish across various locations, contributing your findings to the Archive. Foraging turns up seeds you can grow as crops once you observe their requirements, and 30 unique creatures can be tamed by learning their diets and offering their favorite food, then raised to unlock perks: chickens find you seeds, sproutkittens turn seeds into sprouts instantly. Rare colored Shimmer variants yield double produce.

There is plenty more to do in Shimmerbrook. Fishing ranges from common catches to unique fish that require research, the Mines hold ores, gems and exclusive flora and fauna, and puzzle caves yield Artifacts that uncover the mystery behind the region's sudden proliferation of life. You can cook meals for buffs, craft and automate with sprinklers and auto-feeders, befriend townsfolk through hangout events, and romance and marry one of ten characters.