Cornucopia
- July 31, 2023
- Subconscious Games
- 24h median play time
Get on Steam"Cornucopia" is a single-player, fantasy open-world farm sim RPG with outstanding game mechanics, stunning visuals, and a memorable soundtrack. Inherit a neglected homestead and bring it back to life by growing a variety of crops, discovering recipes, and interacting with over 50 unique NPCs. The innovative soil and compost system and pet-assisted gameplay make for an engaging and dynamic experience. Can you unlock the secrets of the legendary Cornucopia?
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique blend of farming mechanics, including a soil quality system that requires players to manage nutrients for optimal crop growth.
- The scratch card system adds an engaging layer of randomness and rewards, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- The developer is highly responsive to community feedback, actively working on updates and improvements, which fosters a strong player-developer relationship.
- The game suffers from various bugs and glitches, which can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustrating experiences.
- Controller support is currently clunky and needs significant improvement for a smoother gaming experience.
- Some characters lack depth and personality, making interactions feel repetitive and less engaging.
- grinding153 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect in this farming simulator is generally viewed as engaging and rewarding, with many players appreciating the depth added by unique mechanics like soil quality and nutrient management. While some find the tasks somewhat grindy, they often describe the experience as enjoyable and not overly difficult, especially for fans of the genre. Overall, the game offers a refreshing take on farming sims, balancing casual gameplay with enough complexity to keep players invested.
“This is a farming sim where you can't farm.”
“The farming isn't fleshed out.”
“I really wanted to love this as cozy farming sims are my absolute favorite but it just feels super unpolished and the 2.5D graphics were not for me :(”
- story71 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as engaging and filled with unique characters, though some players find it overwhelming due to the sheer volume of quests and items. While the narrative includes interesting twists and character depth, many reviewers express a desire for clearer quest guidance and better integration of the player's role in the story. Overall, the writing and character interactions are seen as entertaining, but the execution feels rushed and disjointed at times, particularly in the early access phase.
“The storyline is brilliantly hilarious, full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you laughing and engaged.”
“The story and characters are pretty in-depth for an early access game.”
“The characters are full of so much story and depth, the world you get to explore is creative and new.”
“The game gives almost no direction to the player, which some people need to actually know what to do. In the 51 minutes I've played, I experienced 4 cutscenes, and all of them had bad writing, starting and ending abruptly. Save your money for when this game becomes more developed, because it is not worth $25 at its current stage.”
“In most cases, the way you progress the story is that you show up to certain areas, watch people talk, and then get the quest item for... standing in the background while other people do things.”
“My only gripes are that the interactions feel very rushed, as if people just act like they know you forever. Seeing the story through their interactions and not your own is kind of a letdown; it feels more like you're a stalker than a part of the events.”
- gameplay68 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Cornucopia is rich and diverse, featuring unique mechanics such as a stress-free fishing system, scratch cards, and a nuanced farming approach that sets it apart from traditional farming RPGs. Players appreciate the depth and variety of mechanics, though some find them complex and occasionally obscure. Overall, the game offers a satisfying and engaging experience with charming visuals and a strong community-driven development approach.
“I adore this game! I love the different animal patterns, colors, and mutations you can get, along with all the items and mechanics in the game. I love loot, so I really enjoy getting different prizes and the scratch cards.”
“There's so many mechanics in the game that make it worthwhile and interesting, and growing crops actually feels fulfilling.”
“The gameplay is a real standout. It's got fantastic gameplay, relaxing music, lovely visuals, and rich characters.”
“I got at least 12 hours of gameplay but I'm still quite lost in the game.”
“There are a lot of game mechanics that I have yet to learn and understand.”
“The mechanics are also very obscure.”
- graphics35 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their unique 2.5D art style, which blends 2D sprites with low-res 3D elements, creating a charming and visually engaging experience. Many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and the customization options available for adjusting the perspective, although some found the art style initially off-putting. Overall, the game's graphics are considered aesthetically pleasing and contribute positively to the gameplay experience.
“A vivid, charming art style comes alive in 2.5D in this masterpiece of a farming sim.”
“It artfully blends 2D sprites and low-res 3D objects to create appealing visuals.”
“Overall, graphically sound and aesthetically pleasing.”
“Honestly, I was disappointed when I launched the game and saw how the art style actually is.”
“I will admit the graphics threw me for a loop a little at first but I quickly found it to be very charming.”
“At first, I was kinda put off by the art style because it seems unusual, but it turns out the tilt and zoom can be customized.”
- music19 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its amazing and soothing soundtrack, which adapts seamlessly to the environment, enhancing the overall atmosphere without being intrusive. Players appreciate the diverse range of tracks, some of which are memorable enough to listen to outside of gameplay, and many express excitement for future improvements and content. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's charm and immersive experience.
“The music adapts to the environment and is really background music the way you want it to be, not disturbing.”
“The music is super soothing, fitting right into the game's comfy atmosphere.”
“I could talk so much more about this game, how the soundtrack is incredible and has many tracks that I listen to outside of playing the game.”
“There are lots of different sounds/music.”
“Audio - the soundtracks have a wide variety, though some overlap plays in some instances; still being tweaked with more reports, and with more playtime it has overall been improved; and I look forward to more improvements in regard.”
“This issue translates to the background music as well.”
- humor15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its lightheartedness and clever writing, with players enjoying the funny NPCs, engaging mini-games, and hilarious storylines filled with unexpected twists. The 2.5D art style complements the comedic elements, making the overall experience enjoyable and relatable. Many players appreciate the attention to detail in humorous descriptions and character struggles, which adds depth to the game's charm.
“I appreciate the humor littered throughout; it’s fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
“The storyline is brilliantly hilarious, full of unexpected twists and turns that keep you laughing and engaged.”
“The writing is funny, the characters and art are cute, and all the cutscenes are fun.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be heartwarming, highlighting the strong sense of community fostered through the developers' engagement on Discord. The game is praised for its wholesome atmosphere and the developers' dedication, making it a must-buy for fans of the genre. Overall, the supportive and welcoming community enhances the emotional experience of the game.
“Seeing the major updates and modifications and attention to the fan base through their Discord has been incredibly heartwarming.”
“This game is very awesome; yes, it has a couple of bugs here and there, but it's very sweet and wholesome, and the devs have done a great job with it.”
“One of the most wholesome communities I've ever encountered. If you feel like joining the community, this is a big plus; it's very welcoming and warm.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that the game's monetization strategy could benefit from improved advertising and social media engagement, similar to successful titles like 'Moonstone Island' and 'Cult of the Lamb.' The game features a unique scratch-off system that rewards players with items, effectively satisfying the gacha game experience without relying on microtransactions, as rewards are primarily earned through in-game achievements.
“There's a unique scratch-off system that can give you items and more. Most importantly, doing them scratches the gacha game itch without microtransactions, as you get them mostly for achieving things in-game.”
“The monetization model is refreshing, focusing on rewarding players for their achievements rather than pushing for constant purchases.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of opportunities to earn rewards through gameplay, making the monetization feel fair and balanced.”
“I think the developers really need to up their game as far as advertising is concerned!”
“I think they need to take a page out of 'Moonstone Island' or 'Cult of the Lamb' and adopt a more modernized approach to their social media accounts and advertising to pique more interest in potential players.”
“There's a unique scratch-off system that can give you items and such - but most importantly, doing them scratches the gacha game itch without microtransactions (you get them mostly for achieving things in-game).”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is currently marked by minor glitches and a lack of polish, which is typical for an early access title. While users acknowledge these issues, they express confidence that future updates will address them, and they appreciate the substantial content already available.
“For now, expect some minor glitches and a lack of polish, but there's a lot of content already in the game with more to come.”
“Some bugs and glitches are, at this time, to be expected.”
“I am fully confident that these glitches will be fixed one day, and I knew what I was getting into with an early access title.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game currently faces performance issues and lag, particularly on the Steam Deck, which has led some players to consider returning it. However, as it is in early access, users appreciate the developer's responsiveness to feedback and commitment to ongoing updates and optimizations.
“Being in early access, of course there will be bugs, but the developer is very quick to update and listen to feedback and get things fixed/optimized!”
“I typically like to play cozy games like this on my Steam Deck, but I encountered a ton of issues and almost returned it based on the performance.”
“Yes, it has performance issues; yes, it's a bit laggy, but it's early access and I thought it would improve over time. I really enjoyed it... for a short while.”
“Being in early access, of course there will be bugs, but the developer is very quick to update and listen to feedback to fix and optimize things!”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its relatable depth and engaging storytelling, reminiscent of the charm found in films like Shrek. The characters are designed with a cutesy aesthetic that appeals to both adults and families, avoiding overly simplistic portrayals and instead offering a more nuanced experience.
“The characters aren't all Disney-fied and simple; they have actual relatable depth. The story writing and character designs are fun and possess a charm that appeals to both adults and families, reminiscent of the Shrek movies. It doesn't feel like I'm playing a game written for high schoolers.”
“The character development is engaging and adds layers to the gameplay, making each character feel unique and memorable.”
“The character designs are eye-catching and fit perfectly with the overall style of the game, enhancing the immersive experience.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with any of the characters.”
“I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way throughout the game.”
“The dialogue options are limited, which stifles any real growth or change in the characters as the story progresses.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by soothing music that enhances its overall comfort and tranquility, creating an inviting and relaxing experience for players.
“The music is super soothing, fitting right into the game's comfy atmosphere.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into its beautifully crafted world.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players note that the game's angles can enhance replayability by offering different perspectives that may better suit various tasks, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore these options.
“The different angles and strategies make it more enjoyable to replay, especially if the current task doesn't suit your playstyle.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and experiences, keeping the game fresh and exciting.”
“The variety of choices and outcomes encourages multiple runs, making it hard to put down.”
“The game lacks variety, making it hard to find motivation for a second playthrough.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to return.”
“The limited choices and outcomes mean that replaying feels more like a chore than an adventure.”
