Howdy! My name is Andrew Carlin and welcome back to another Drew Reviews! Bouncing back from the theoretical trauma that I (and hopefully you) suffered last time we met, I have a much more amiable game to show you today. Turning away from the shadows and looking into the light, I bring you something to brighten your soul: the wonderful, bouncy world of Slime Rancher…

Vibrant colors, bouncy animation, and adorable creatures make Slime Rancher the ultimate feel-good experience. You play as Beatrix LeBeau, a young rough-and-tumble entrepreneur who left her home 1000 lightyears away for a prospect in the Far, Far Range. Chase fame and fortune on the alien planet, adventuring deep into the untamed wilderness looking for rare commodities that people would pay a fortune for. Follow the steps of a previous pioneer, absorbing new knowledge and trying to figure out the mysteries of this strange new world. Be wary though, there is a reason why nobody is left on the Far, Far Range…

There is a wide variety of natives inhabiting the wilds, including the ones to the right and even more. Most of these bouncing balls of fun are docile, with almost none of them intent on harming you. They are content to spend their days eating and playing, happy to just exist. These two easy-to-meet conditions make them easily tamable as long as you make sure that they stay sated. Slimes will only eat one type of food, either fruits, vegetables, or meat; a special bonus exists for finding the specific favorite of every slime variety and treating them to it. On the other hand, slimes that go uncared for quickly become feral, a condition that forces them to lash out and bite anything that they think might be food, including you. Adding to the risk of potentially feral slimes, some slimes may be unintentionally hazardous to the player, accidentally harming the player with their innate condition. Sharp spikes, fire and explosions, and even radiation are all hazards you have to deal with, but that’s just the nature of the job for a Slime Rancher. Discovery, improvement, and maintenance make for a delicate balance to keep, as losing any one will force your business into stagnation or worse.

Experimentation and optimization are the core tenants of Slime Rancher, both are needed to gain maximum profits for the Ranch. Thorough exploration of the Wilds reveal secrets and treasure to the ambitious rancher, and complete knowledge of the slimes bears the highest yield. Pop the Slime Gordos, large stationary slimes hidden from the main path, and acquire Slime Keys, opening the door to new biomes and corresponding inhabitants. Feed the slimes you capture with different foods and plorts, there are almost 200 different hybrid slimes possible! Use ample caution though, unchecked ambition can have negative consequences…

Slime Rancher has been a favorite pastime of mine for years now, and it’s been a joy to watch grow and develop through multiple different updates that completely alter the game and add new features that add yet another element to the landscape. The game is available on literally all kinds of platforms: Windows, MacOS, Playstation 4 & 5, Xbox, and even Linux (if you’re weird like that). It’s far cheaper than most games of this caliber at the incredibly generous price of $19.99, so if you’re looking for a peaceful game to kick back with during these rather stressful times, then I highly suggest you pick it up while the deal lasts! Until next time, this is Andrew Carlin signing off, have fun!