Garden Story: revision #22

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**Garden Story** is an action-RPG starring Concord, a young grape appointed Guardian of an island community called The Grove.[^1] Created by solo developer Picogram and published by Rose City Games with Kowloon Nights,[^2][^3] it released on 11 August 2021 for Nintendo Switch and PC at $19.99.[^1]

## Gameplay

The player fights back an invasive blight called the Rot, forages resources, takes on requests and favors from villagers, and gradually rebuilds the community's structures and social ties across four regions.[^1] A "perish prevention" option in the gameplay settings lets players progress the story without combat pressure.[^2]

## Development and release

Picogram started the game while working graveyard shifts at care homes — an experience the developer says shaped its theme of labor performed for a community: "Working there for years made me realize how disconnected work has become from the people you actually perform it for."[^4]

Before and around launch, Garden Story was showcased at PAX East, The Escapist's E3 Indie Showcase, [[Wholesome Games|Wholesome Games Direct]], and a Nintendo Indie World Showcase in August 2021.[^1] It came to Xbox on 12 July 2022, launching directly into Xbox Game Pass for console and PC.[^3][^5]

## Reception

Garden Story's village-restoration loop — care as gameplay — places it squarely in the [[cozy-game|cozy]] tradition of games like [[Spiritfarer]] and [[Cozy Grove]].

## External links

- [Official page (Rose City Games)](https://www.rosecitygames.com/garden-story)
- [Steam page](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062140/)

[^1]: Rose City Games. ["Garden Story — Press Kit"](https://www.rosecitygames.com/garden-story-press) — rosecitygames.com. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^2]: Valve. ["Garden Story"](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062140/) — Steam store data. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^3]: Microsoft. ["Buy Garden Story — Xbox"](https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/garden-story/9pp09mjrh2xd) — Xbox Store. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^4]: Goomba Stomp. ["Strength Through Community: An Interview with the Creator of 'Garden Story'"](https://goombastomp.com/garden-story-interview/) — Goomba Stomp. Retrieved 9 July 2026.
[^5]: Gayming Magazine. ["Garden Story is coming to Game Pass"](https://gaymingmag.com/2022/07/garden-story-is-coming-to-game-pass/) — Gayming Magazine, July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2026.