Since Fields of Mistria reached version 1.0 last week, I have been enjoying its polished take on the farming and life-simulation formula. It feels like Stardew Valley with a broad quality-of-life upgrade, while also drawing on ideas associated with Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life.
Much of the appeal comes from getting to know the town’s residents. Fields of Mistria lets players decide whether a relationship develops as a friendship or a romance, so pursuing a character’s story does not require a romantic commitment. That makes it worthwhile to befriend everyone, including Juniper, whose golden retriever is particularly charming, and Adeline, whose demanding work seems to leave little room for romance.
That brings us to March, the local blacksmith. To be completely clear, I will not be marrying him under any circumstances.
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March, Mistria’s difficult blacksmith
March is a red-haired blacksmith with a permanently displeased expression. He is the younger brother of Olric, an exceptionally sweet himbo who is not available for romance and appears to have a particular interest in rocks. Olric also takes every opportunity to praise his brother.
March is extremely talented at his trade, and that success has given him a sizeable ego. He is confident, dismissive and seemingly unimpressed by nearly everyone other than Olric. In everyday life, that combination of snobbery and bluntness would make him very difficult company. He becomes irritated whenever you speak to him, rejects many gifts that other villagers accept, such as flowers, and prefers useful resources including ore.
His resentment also seems connected to your arrival in town. March appears annoyed that Adeline entrusted you with the farm, that other residents are enthusiastic about you, and that you keep completing the jobs he asks you to handle.
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Craftsmanship is the way in
The fastest route towards March’s respect is clearly craftsmanship. He is an award-winning, renowned blacksmith and is fully aware of his own ability. He grudgingly acknowledges the player’s interest in blacksmithing, although he remains convinced you will never match his skill.
For all his arrogance, March seems to value dedication to a craft more than status alone. He can recognise Hemlock’s skill at brewing beer and Juniper’s success in running an excellent bathhouse. Anyone who takes their work seriously appears to have a better chance of earning his approval.
If you are planning your own arcade machine, that appreciation for craft may feel familiar. RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide is a useful place to start, while hands-on builders can explore DIY arcade kits.
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Olric makes ignoring him impossible
Under normal circumstances, I would simply leave March alone. In farming games, I usually try to meet every resident, but characters who are immediately rude do not receive much of my attention. March avoids that fate because Olric asks the player to give his brother a chance. Olric is so kind that refusing him feels impossible.
So I keep speaking to March whenever I can. I bring gifts chosen around his interests, ask about his life and attempt to find common ground. The player’s available dialogue often uses cheerful sarcasm to provoke him, which predictably makes March even angrier. That approach has made me reconsider my own behaviour: if someone interrupted me constantly while I worked and made pointed jokes at my expense, I might become unpleasant too.
Still, these are the social tools the game provides. I am trying to be a good neighbour, even if March is making the process unnecessarily difficult.
The inevitable softening
March gradually becomes less hostile. Naturally, he does. He is exactly the kind of prickly character who slowly reveals a more sympathetic side after enough conversations and carefully chosen presents. I object to having to work so hard for a small amount of basic decency, but the game keeps tempting me to continue.
His theme music does not help. It is slick enough that I enjoy hearing it, despite my firm decision not to romance him. If you enjoy the wider arcade and gaming news scene, you can find more features in the RETROCADE blog.
I could instead focus on Celine, who appreciates flowers, or spend time with the cool and elegant Valen or the quiet, empathetic Ryis. Those would all be sensible choices. But there is an unused iron bar sitting in my storage box, and March would certainly get more value from it than I will. Giving it to him might even be thoughtful. Olric would probably be pleased, and that is the only reason I need.
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He responds with something almost polite. Perhaps even sweet. That must be an exception. March still seems to dislike everyone except himself, and I remain entirely opposed to marrying him. I will simply continue bringing him useful materials, earning his reluctant respect and insisting that none of this means I like him.
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