With this 2003 release, Sylvanian Families saw its last ever 'regular game' (there's a fashion designer-themed one in 2004).

This is the most modern-feeling (not necessarily positive) SF game yet. Included is a world map that actually makes sense, quest markers, and the elimination of a strict time system. Likewise, leveling up is eliminated. In its place is a more complex item/bartering system: by finding fruit and rocks on the ground, you can trade them for food (which you can eat for "Dream Points" (money)), or trade them for money. You also get money by doing minigames, and you can grind these minigames. It's easier than ever to gain a ton of money and buy all the furniture quickly.

The game is split into a clear daytime and evening session, with the game split into "school days" or "free days". On free days, you can take on one quest, which is usually a simple and uninteresting fetch quest with some kind of story (a rabbit lost her notebook, etc). after this event, the game becomes evening. You can also water or feed the titular mysterious tree, although I never found out what it leads to.

It's a more 'easy to understand' and progress rhythm. A library at school gradually gets new 'books' (historical information on various SF toys lol), as you grind minigames you get to play harder and more valuable versions.

It seems like the gardening system was eliminated in favor of all the other stuff, but I'm not totally sure. There's a mysterious cave you can wander around.

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Well, that's all the back-of-the-box description stuff I found out by playing. As a game it's certainly more approachable than the other SF games, but I feel like all the smoothed over design acts to emphasize how kinda pleasantly dull the writing and story are. The lack of a time system means that you kind of end up just grinding for money or items each day, and day/night mostly feels like a way to be able to see a new cutscene.

On one hand I'm glad they managed to establish a game loop that's at least kind of interesting/playable without lots of guides, but eh it just feels kind of too straightforward overall, and without any of the weird design decisions of the past games it's just a typical kid's game of the era with some cute art/songs. Oh well!