Disney Dreamlight Valley is shaking up its typical additions. Since the game’s early access in 2022, Disney Dreamlight Valley has only added characters from films by Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Studios. While it seems as though this won’t change anytime soon, one of Disney’s most popular properties is finally hitting the simulation game. Released on April 23, the new Wonderland Whimsy Update will eventually feature new Star Wars-themed items in the Premium Shop. Disney Dreamlight Valley has added items outside of Walt Disney Animation and Pixar Studios before, typically from Disney Channel Original Movies (DCOMs) and references to the Disney parks. But players have been anticipating Star Wars’ addition to the game, considering its profitability, though not all fans are excited about what this might mean for the future of the game.
The new Star Wars items in the Premium Shop include much more than what was revealed in Wonderland Whimsy’s reveal trailer. These items included a new set of Jedi robes, a lightsaber accessory with an accompanying photo pose, and an R2-D2 Companion. New furniture items not mentioned in this trailer are featured in the Naboo Villa Bundle, including the aforementioned Naboo Villa house Dreamstyle, Naboo Villa Wallpaper, and Naboo Villa Flooring. Meanwhile, the Naboo Interior Furniture Bundle includes a themed Holotable, bed, fireplace, dining table, chair, sofa, windows, and wall decor. None of these items are characters, but they spell the inevitable addition of further Star Wars content in Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Star Wars Relates to the Nostalgia of the Forgetting
Star Wars is surprisingly suited for Disney Dreamlight Valley in the sense that it aligns with its in-game lore. Disney Dreamlight Valley inherently hinges on nostalgia, with the explanation for the player’s avatar relating to childhood memories. Players must recover Disney Dreamlight Valley from the thorny grasps of The Forgetting, an event that causes the game’s Villagers to lose their memories. Using magic and Dreamlight, the player frees the Valley from Night Thorns.
It is eventually revealed that The Forgotten, the person behind The Forgetting, is actually a dark version of the player themselves and the former ruler of the Valley itself. The Forgotten is the player’s inner child, who falls into a deep depression and lashes out at the very nostalgia that all children have. The player eventually confronts The Forgotten, who shows remorse and helps heal the Valley from their destruction. The Forgotten is primarily the villain of Act 1, with the character sidelined in future updates to the game.
Star Wars Makes Sense for DDV's Lore More Than the MCU
Since The Forgotten’s backstory hinges on nostalgia, it’s very clear that Disney Dreamlight Valley’s Villagers are a response to their trauma and a way to heal from it. It’s no secret that Star Wars is specifically a nostalgic property for many people, especially players who are invested in the Disney company. Because Star Wars has this effect on many people, and most likely a good chunk of Disney Dreamlight Valley’s player base, it would make sense for the property to receive character additions rather than characters from the MCU.
While the MCU, of course, has its fans, the profitable property has a shorter history than Star Wars. Of course, Marvel Comics as a company has long existed before Star Wars. However, the public associates and knows the MCU better than Marvel Comics storylines. Therefore, Star Wars is likely a more nostalgic property for players, which ultimately aligns with Disney Dreamlight Valley's lore. Hopefully, Disney Dreamlight Valley will receive items and clothing inspired by the MCU, but character additions from Star Wars would make much more sense at this time because of Disney Dreamlight Valley’s nostalgic plot.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 75 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- unity
- Genre(s)
- Life Simulation, Casual
