Just cute enough to not be annoying. Just serious enough to be engaging and maintain interest in the narrative. Just sandboxy/free enough to be creative, try new ideas and have fun without feeling aimless, directionless and not sure what's worth doing next.
If you want to play a game where you live in a tiny town of unique characters, build a house, farm some things and kill some monsters, there is absolutely no game more perfect at realizing this concept than Stardew Valley. A must buy, even if only curious, even when there's no sale.

Just cute enough to not be annoying. Just serious enough to be engaging and maintain interest in the narrative. Just sandboxy/free enough to be creative, try new ideas and have fun without feeling aimless, directionless and not sure what's worth doing next. If you want to play a game where you live in a tiny town of unique characters, build a house, farm some things and kill some monsters, there is absolutely no game more perfect at realizing this concept than Stardew Valley. A must buy, even if only curious, even when there's no sale.