The game Disney Dreamlight Valley combines all the cozy elements that MeinMMO author Johanna needs to play for hours. However, the game only drew her in once she gave it a second chance on Steam after three years.
What game is it? Disney Dreamlight Valley combines gameplay elements from life simulation and adventure. In the game, you enter a Disney village that has been plagued by Night Thorns. The inhabitants, all Disney characters, have forgotten their harmonious life in the village and have disappeared.
As players arrive in the village, hope also arrives to restore the village to its former glory. New areas and Disney characters can be unlocked one after the other. The village can be decorated as desired, and friendships can be formed with the characters. Each character has story quests as well as friendship quests, which can be completed one by one.
It’s no fun on the Nintendo Switch
What was the problem? As a big fan of the “Animal Crossing” games, I thought that Disney Dreamlight Valley would captivate me just as much at its release in 2022 and keep me in the cozy mood for hours.
I got the game on the Nintendo Switch and immersed myself in the Disney life simulation. However, complete immersion proved to be somewhat difficult because while the game ran on the Nintendo Switch, it was limited to 30 FPS and rather poor textures or graphics. I also had to experience crashes repeatedly, which of course led to frustration due to loss of progress.
When I saw a Let’s Play by a YouTuber who was playing on PC and could showcase a much prettier game, my desire to continue gaming diminished completely. I’m usually not someone who loses interest due to poor graphics, but with Disney Dreamlight Valley, which relied on aesthetics, it truly dampened my enthusiasm.
On PC, it suddenly becomes 20 hours in just a few days
The second attempt: My opinion about Disney Dreamlight Valley changed when I discovered that the game is currently on sale for €27.99 on Steam. A 30% discount was enough to give me a nudge to try the game again. Perfect, since I was still missing a cozy game to play with a cup of tea during the cold winter season.
I got the game on Sunday, November 23, 2025, and since then, I’ve managed to put in 20 hours of gameplay. However, I’m still not very far, as Disney Dreamlight Valley offers a world filled with numerous elaborate quests.
Many materials need to be farmed, for instance, and all characters offer entire quest lines instead of just single tasks. Additionally, you can raise friendship with all characters to level 10, which also takes time.
If you find the base game too little, you can expand your time in Disney Dreamlight Valley with the DLCs. However, they are not discounted.
It actually required better graphics and higher resolution for me to fully enjoy Disney Dreamlight Valley. Add in a hot cup of tea and – as MeinMMO author Nicole told me – a good audiobook while you gather the appropriate materials.
If you would excuse me now, I have to return to my valley and farm materials. But first, another deal that is currently recommendable: The two Horizon games are reduced by up to 40%: I’m preparing for the Horizon MMORPG and am in love with a world that you can get to know at the best price on Steam right now
