While many simulation games focus on farming or city management, Apico’s beekeeping puts an adorable bee-themed spin on mechanics. Farming and management simulation games are a great way for gamers to relax and take a break from fast-paced adventures or real-life struggles. Additionally, it can be a great way to learn about biology, shop management, and ecosystem preservation. While Apico won’t have combat or dungeons to battle through, many may find the chance to keep and learn about bees a relaxing and educational change from other games.
The gameplay of Apico will be familiar to fans of titles like Stardew Valley and Minecraft. Players leave their stressful city life behind and embark on a journey to farm and revitalize vulnerable bee populations. Using numerous tools, players will be able to build hives, breed bees, harvest honest, and make products, as well as explore vast, unique biomes. Apico is similar to Minecraft’s Forestry Mod, offering a similar level of complexity and attention to detail.
In a post shared by Apico_Game on Twitter, the game’s PC release date for Steam was finally revealed. Apico will be available to purchase on May 20, 2022, for World Bee Day. The game will cost 19.99 USD, with proceeds from each purchase going towards efforts to help save real-world bee populations currently impacted by climate change and habitat destruction. Those interested in further donations can also find information on Apico’s website, where several links are provided that focus on bee conservation.
While Apico won’t have Stardew Valley’s romances or expansive farming mechanics, it will have over 30 bee species to discover, with plans to add butterflies and other content after release. Additionally, Apico will also offer a 4-player co-op at launch, allowing fans of simulation games to work together while saving the bees and building a thriving bee-product industry. This will provide players the chance to care for a greater number of hives, or even slip off into the dense forests to build a remote bee farm far from the town and the game’s NPCs. For gamers who enjoy relaxed gameplay with friends, this could be a great opportunity for a new type of cooperative adventure.
For those who prefer simulation games on consoles like the Nintendo Switch, Apico will also be receiving console releases sometime in June or July, though there isn’t currently a firm date available. This will give players the chance to learn about bees on multiple platforms, and make Apico’s bee projects portable. Hopefully, more information about Apico will continue to release in the upcoming weeks, giving players a peek at what the simulation title will offer, and what bee-themed adventures could be on the horizon.
