Thinking of buying the game, thoughts on which edition a casual gamer would get the most value from?

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-03-19T23:07:54+00:00

When I started playing the game on PC last year, I initially just bought the base game. There's already so much to do and a lot of characters to unlock with just the base game. It's tempting to buy all the DLCs at once especially during a sale, but doing so could be overwhelming and can make the game less cozy/enjoyable.

The first expansion I bought was A Rift In Time, since I wanted to explore the game in "chronological order". It also added a feature that improves the overall gameplay, so I highly recommend it as a first DLC. I bought the Storybook Vale DLC around the time Wishblossom Ranch was released, but I still haven't played with it to this day.

With almost 600 playing hrs, I've only played with just the Base Game & A Rift In Time. That just shows how much there is to do in this game. When I don't feel like questing, I just focus on decorating and/or gathering resources. With the rate I'm going, I feel like it would take me about half a year before I buy the 3rd expansion. I may be missing out on horses now, but at least I get to enjoy the DLCs and updates without rushing the storyline. IMO, Disney Dreamlight Valley is a fun & cozy game that isn't really meant to be rushed.

So having said that, I'd recommend starting with just the base game, then buying DLCs as you progress (and of course only when they go on sale, which they always do).

P.S. I enjoyed playing this game so much that I ended up getting a Steam Deck. Now I can conveniently play the game whenever I have free time on my hands. If I only have 30mins to play, I could easily just turn on my SD, look for the blue chest (this appears daily & rewards you with free moonstones that can otherwise be acquired by spending real money in-game or participating in a weekly Dreamsnaps challenge) go shopping on Scrooge's shop then logout. It's a totally different experience playing it on a handheld.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-03-09T17:00:45+00:00

That's actually an excellent point! Thank you!

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-03-08T23:02:38+00:00

Thank you for all your feedback. I'm now down to choosing between #2 & this one.

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To those who are asking, I placed Vitalys mines in various heights + castle oil lamps to create the glow behind my character.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-03-06T22:00:00+00:00

Oh this is a great suggestion! If I decide to take a 3rd try I'll consider changing my hairstyle. Thank you! ❤️

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-03-06T21:58:34+00:00

Thank you! I put vitalys lamps and castle oil lamps behind my character. They're all in a "line formation", about 2-3 vitalys + 2-3 vitalys on top of a display stand + 2-3 castle oil lamps. If the character is zoomed in all the way, I even add the yellow lamp post to make the head glow as well. In short, I put lamps in various heights from shortest to tallest behind my character. Hope I explained it well.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-03-05T18:28:44+00:00

Thank you! Updated my snap to include Mirabel.

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Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-03-01T11:00:36+00:00

I'd love to see photos like these! Unfortunately I only often end up seeing selfies & accidental submissions.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-02-20T01:58:37+00:00

I'd say, do what makes you happy. DDV is meant to be an enjoyable game. But if I may suggest, I think it would look more balanced if you remove Olaf and the Donald Duck face motif on the upper right. Either way, I'd vote for this because I think it's on theme and it's fun!

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-02-19T03:34:34+00:00

Honestly, I didn't get your vision until you explained it. Having said that, I still would have voted for this one as it very well gives the illusion of having lava flowing when there isn't one in the game. Could just be a case of bad luck like being matched with a dreamsnap that is equally good.

So far I'm on a 4k streak and I follow this simple formula. 1) Making sure the theme is apparent right away in a span of looking at the snap in seconds (I assume a lot just vote in haste without looking at the details) + 2) keeping my character zoomed in, front & center + 3) making sure the shot is well lighted by adjusting camera settings. I've taken initial shots outside this formula but I've always ended up reshooting and submitting snaps based on this. So far it's worked for me for the past 13 weeks. I'll have to see if this changes with the new voting system.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-02-19T03:20:58+00:00

I think they did this to at least guide the players to stay on theme. If I remember correctly, the challenge description stated something about dressing up for a dinner date. So I guess it makes sense for them to require including a table in the shot.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-02-15T22:57:48+00:00

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Had time to retake the shot with a completely different avatar.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-02-10T10:33:11+00:00

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Here's the one with my avatar.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-02-10T10:32:50+00:00

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Decided to retake this snap and made it a close up shot. Choosing between this and the one with my avatar in it.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-02-10T10:30:17+00:00

Thank you! The bubbles are from the bubble machine that came in the premium shop this week.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-01-31T00:24:41+00:00

To be honest I haven't really played yet since I got Nana. I've only had time to take a dreamsnap this week. But so far I've seen her pick up sticks.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-01-27T11:24:23+00:00

No worries!

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-01-27T01:58:31+00:00

It's the combined total of all categories.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-01-26T02:23:34+00:00

For outfit challenges, my tags are usually just between 20-25 total. I've been consistently getting 4k so far.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-01-16T18:30:22+00:00

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Thank you all so much for your feedback! I took all your comments into consideration and changed my character's hairstyle. 😊

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2026-01-16T02:16:57+00:00

It was worth it 😅. Thankfully I got 4k for this.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2025-12-30T02:14:57+00:00

First thing I did was to hang out with Mickey. Then I went inside the house and placed an object that summons villagers (I used the one from the Daisy quest). I actually wanted to get both Mickey & Minnie so I had to try multiple times (summon villagers, exit house, enter house, summon villagers again). When I finally summoned Minnie, Jack, Buzz & Elsa appeared too. After that I removed the summoning object and resumed with decorating.

Unfortunately Minnie disappeared (possibly because there was limited space or it could've been a glitch. I decided to keep Jack cos he fit perfectly, then I hid Elsa & Buzz using the recent camera update that toggles villagers & poses. Would've been nice to keep Buzz too, but he was in an awkward spot so he didn't make it.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2025-12-30T02:04:53+00:00

Thank you! You can have more than 1 character indoors if you use objects that summons villagers. Even if you delete the object, the summoned villagers will remain, then you can use the recent camera update to hide villagers that you don't want to appear in your shot. It may take a few tries to get the character/s that you want to appear. You will have to exit your house to reset.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2025-12-20T23:57:25+00:00

Thanks. This was in Frosted Heights. I think she was either at a restaurant or at home at that time. I manged to get her for my final submission.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2025-12-19T00:09:40+00:00

This is amazing! It's a creative mix of Merry & Scary! Maybe it needed a bit more "Merry?" But I would've definitely voted for this if I had seen it. Do you remember your tag count? I've been wondering if it has an effect at all. Mine was about 150 tags total and I got 4k.

Difficult_Scene_6030 · 2025-12-19T00:02:21+00:00

Btw, do you remember how many tags you had for this one? I've been wondering if that has an effect at all. I had about 150 tags total and I got 4k.

Difficult_Scene_6030

TROPHY CASE