Star Valley final test hands-on: how AI NPC Nalo carries the life sim's social side

miHoYo's life simulation game Star Valley opened a paid, data-wiping final test on September 20, with four AI NPCs: Nalo, Guduoman, Ruifu and Alai. In the test, the author found cafe owner Nalo has the strongest memory and the freest conversation, recalling a coffee ordered days earlier and stories shared, while responding to several players at once; the other three are more functional, serving as a guide and hosts of word games and stage events. The author sees the AI NPCs as the icebreaker for Star Valley's multiplayer socializing and its biggest difference from other life sims, though AI competence and each character's role shape how much players like them, and long-term appeal still needs the public launch to be tested.