On the other hand, there are the action levels that take you out into the island’s wilderness to slay demons and gather resources.
SATISFACTORY REVIEW SIMULATOR
On the one hand, there’s the rice-growing simulator which sees you cultivate a field in your home and prepare a harvest over the course of the seasons.
GAMEPLAY – HARVEST BOOMĪs previously mentioned, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is split into two main gameplay styles. Nothing like a wholesome meal at the end of a long day. Often, my main concern was to grow enough rice to feed our small community throughout the seasons, and this “living off the land” narrative tone worked in tandem with the gameplay systems. This blankets everything in a very homely vibe and means the stakes never feel too overbearing. I was driven to uncover its secrets and fulfill the ultimate goal of vanquishing the demons from its shores, but a lot of the game’s story is based on day-to-day scenarios.
I can’t say with any authority how much of the lore is rooted in actual Buddhist teachings, but the Isle of Demons acted as an intriguing location brimming with natural wonders and formidable dangers. The mythological aspects of the game’s setting really drew me into its world and foes. Each character’s backstory went deeper than I expected, and I grew to cherish mealtimes at day’s end as everyone sat around sharing stories over some dumplings and tea. While each of the humans do fall within established character tropes – the clumsy yet gentle samurai, the temperamental boy, the cute toddler – I was still engaged with their arcs and endeared towards their traits. The writing also builds heartfelt familial chemistry between the rest of the cast. Her character’s evolution as she comes to terms with her responsibilities as a god was touching to witness, but never came at the expense of her electric personality. I’m sure some people will find her to be too loud and obnoxious, but I was personally entertained by her snappy quips and feisty retorts in large part due to the stellar localisation by XSEED Games and the strong performances by both her Japanese and English voice actor. Sakuna is an alcoholic, narcissistic, whiney, self-righteous little brat, and I couldn’t help but love her. Now, it’s her duty to protect and provide for the humans, while clearing the island of its demonic presence – even if “work” is an unfamiliar concept to her. Those humans end up causing her a big headache when they wreak havoc in her heavenly city, resulting in the group being banished to the Isle of Demons. This all changes when she has a chance encounter with a group of humans attempting to cross the bridge connecting the two worlds in search of a wholesome meal after coming to the brink of starvation. The divine yet temperamental Princess Sakuna resides in the Lofty Realm where she happily drinks all day and spares little thought for the humans toiling away below her in the Lowly Realm. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PS4.ģ) GRAPHICS AND AUDIO – AN ISLAND OF BEAUTY STORY – OF MYTHS AND MONSTERS Thankfully, I was always pulled along by the charming story of putting aside differences and working together to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation. Both gameplay styles cleverly feed into each other, but it took some hard hours of labour to feel like the farming simulation was a worthwhile investment of my time. Despite this, for the most part, I was completely hooked.ĭeveloped by Edelweiss and localised by XSEED Games, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin creates an addicting gameplay loop of exploring the foreboding Isle of Demons while managing your cozy little rice farm occupied by an endearing cast of characters. However, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin’s concept of marrying together rice farming and hack ‘n’ slash action might just be in the grand finale of “bizarre gameplay pairings”. Gaming has a history of merging two seemingly dissonant ideas and finding, as if by accident, that in reality, they combine as well as fries and milkshakes (which is, to say, really well).
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