

The thrifty, money-loving duck aptly runs the local clothing and furniture store, which has evidently been affected by the Forgetting and the Night Thorns. My first encounter sees me meet Scrooge McDuck, who's trying to restore his business in the valley. In the opening areas I can explore, there are three villagers to meet along with Merlin, and each has their own series of quests for you to complete. While you'll naturally want to get to know and spend time with the cast of classic Disney and Pixar characters who are faithfully brought to life, growing your magic is an additional motivator. You also have a suite of additional objectives known as Dreamlight Duties that work in a similar way to the Nook Miles reward program in Animal Crossing: New Horizons – with everyday goals such as collecting a certain amount of fruit, or catching fish that will earn you more magic. Helping out villagers by completing their quests will help your magic grow more powerful, and also strengthen your bond with them. While you can clear away smaller thorns from the outset, you need a certain amount of magic to get rid of bigger thorns that block off new areas.

In the Valley, the level of Dreamlight magic you have can grow stronger by performing acts of friendship, love, and care. Where Dreamlight Valley shines, though, is in the way it encourages you to befriend and get to know its loveable characters. "Almost everything about Disney Dreamlight Valley put a smile on my face."
