Taonga – A plot in paradise
Even though the current winter is somewhat mild this year, most of us wish for the return of summer, sun and warmth. While the next vacation is still somewhat off, we simply took the next best thing and played Taonga, a neat little free to play farming simulation that took us into the far reaches of the southern sea. Here is our little report from that trip.
Game concept
Taonga is best described as a proper farming simulation. Ever since the days of Farmville, the genre brought up several similar titles. Taonga is one of those. Starting out on your little own island you have to cultivate its rich farmland and turn it into a green paradise. By growing all sorts of crops and exotic fruits, you get the opportunity to earn coin by selling your products to locals and others. Expanding your farm, unlocking new things to grow and exploring a rich and vibrant world is the charm that is playing Taonga.
Build your own paradise
You receive a letter from an unknown relative that informs you that you just inherited your very own island. A dream came true but as soon as you arrive on your island you realize that there is a lot of work to be done. Your relative must have been slacking it seems but that is a mistake that you won’t repeat. So you begin your adventure by clearing the weeds, chopping some wood and cultivating your first patches of fertile ground. Shortly after you will be able to reap your first harvest and your adventure on Taonga has just begun. Sell your crops to locals and use the hard-earned money to expand your island with workshops or simply upgrade your own bungalow – the choice is yours.
Grow dozens of different crops and fruits
Initially you will have to rely on some of the most basic crops like wheat for example. It grows fast, it is resilient and it is cheap. Unfortunately though its also pretty common, so you won’t make a fortune selling it. Thanfully there are dozens of other crops and fruits that you can grow in your little paradise garden. The rarer your fruit the more you will eventually earn selling it to the locals. Combining certain crops with other ingredients like eggs for example, will allow you to cook up some fine meals that go for a much higher price than just the ingredient itself. Finding the best combination between the time it takes for your stuff to grow and earning the most for your advanced recipes is just one of the perks of playing Taonga.
Helping each other to grow
While living on a tropical island has its perk, the farm life isn’t always that easy. Some projects will take quite a bit of time and resources to finish. Doing all the work by yourself can become tiresome – even for the sturdiest farmer. Gladly you are not the only one out there that is building his or her own paradise island. Team up with other players from all over the world and help each other out. Send resources, lend a hand and do whatever is needed to help your friends. Helping a friend in need will almost guarantee a similar response and can significantly contribute to the growth of your farm.
Features of Taonga
- Free to play: Just sign up once and you’re good to go. Taonga is completely free to play.
- Build your own paradise: Build your own farm on a little tropical island
- Dozens of crops and fruit: Grow the most rare and exotic fruits in your little garden and sell them to the locals
- Help each other out: Help others and receive their help in return to boost the growth of your farm
The Bottom Line
Taonga is a game that whole-heartedly embraces the cooperative components of multiplayer gameplay. While you are the sole caretaker of your little farm, teamplay is still strongly encouraged when playing Taonga. This neat little farming simulation is all about helping each other out, which goes very well in line with the overall theme of the game. Taonga is full of vibrant and relaxing vibes, embracing the spirit of a laid-back vacation in the Caribbean Sea. It is a colorful and friendly world in which you are doing your best to expand your farm and even when things tend to grow slow at times, you can always rely on others to help you out. In that regard Taonga is a welcome distraction from the chores and downs of every day’s life.