Kynseed

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,452 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • grinding
Kynseed Game Cover
Kynseed is an impressive and wonderful life sandbox RPG, filled with a staggering amount of things to do that'll never grow old.
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Kynseed is a single-player business open world game with stunning visuals, an outstanding soundtrack, and a masterful atmosphere. Embark on a lifetime of adventure, raising a family, customizing your farm, and battling dark fairy tale creatures. The Big Build Update brings even more customization, gameplay gating, and story cut-scenes to this humorous, bug-filled, and wholesome story RPG.

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,452 reviews
story173 positive mentions
grinding562 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful pixel art and a whimsical atmosphere that draws players in.
  • There is a vast world to explore with a rich lore and engaging story elements.
  • The generational mechanic allows players to pass on skills and traits to their children, adding depth to the gameplay.
  • The pacing can feel slow and overwhelming, especially during the prologue, which may deter new players.
  • NPCs often lack depth and personality, making it hard to form meaningful connections.
  • The game can become repetitive, with many tasks feeling like grindy fetch quests rather than engaging activities.
  • story824 mentions

    The story in Kynseed is described as rich and engaging, with a unique blend of dark themes and whimsical elements that draw players in. However, many reviewers note that while the prologue sets up an intriguing narrative, the main story can feel sparse and repetitive, often relying on fetch quests that detract from character development and immersion. Overall, while the game shows promise with its storytelling potential, it currently lacks depth and direction, leaving players wanting more substantial content as it continues to evolve.

    • “The story is so amazing, in-depth, and detailed.”
    • “I really appreciate their approach to world building and how they pull it out slowly through the environment and little bits of story.”
    • “The story itself is incredibly rich and interesting, and has a lot of content.”
    • “The dialogue and quests are quickly becoming repetitive and shallow, which is a pity because relationships are an important aspect of games like this one, and a lot of people want their in-game relationships to feel meaningful and realistic - a feeling that this game can hardly offer.”
    • “The story constantly breaks any form of immersion because all the characters break character to give you 'tutorials'.”
    • “The main story ends rather abruptly, and the generational mechanic needs work; currently, when you take over the life of your child, all other household members disappear forever.”
  • gameplay632 mentions

    The gameplay of Kynseed is characterized by a mix of unique mechanics, including generational gameplay, crafting mini-games, and shop management, which some players find engaging and innovative. However, many reviews highlight issues with the lack of tutorials, overwhelming mechanics, and a repetitive gameplay loop that can feel tedious over time. While the game offers a charming aesthetic and potential for depth, it currently suffers from a lack of polish and clarity in its systems, leaving players divided on its overall enjoyment and effectiveness.

    • “Not only does it have some unique gameplay-life-sim mechanics, but it's also a labor of love for video games - from the story, characters and dialogue, to the graphics and animations, to the sound and music.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun, the systems work well with each other, and it's honestly been one of the few times where I felt like I could slow down and relax in a game.”
    • “The mechanics are simple, but have room to evolve, it is still getting updates with more content, and the entire concept is just so much fun.”
    • “The gameplay boils down to repeating the same couple of tasks over and over, the map is full of large empty spaces, the mechanics present are extremely simple, and the game lacks content in just about every department.”
    • “The tutorial is extremely long and doesn't properly explain a lot of the game (marriage, relationships, how to grow higher-quality plants) a lot of things you think would be a big deal to explain based on the gameplay.”
    • “The core gameplay loop gets old very fast and holds few, if any, surprises; I can't imagine actually playing long enough to reach a point where I move on to the next generation.”
  • grinding569 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Kynseed" has received mixed feedback from players. While many appreciate the game's variety of activities beyond farming—such as crafting, combat, and shopkeeping—some find the repetitive nature of mini-games and resource gathering tedious and lacking in meaningful rewards. Overall, players suggest that while the game offers a unique twist on the farming sim genre, it may not satisfy those seeking a traditional farming experience, as the farming mechanics are relatively simplistic and secondary to other gameplay elements.

    • “Definitely a grind but not tedious.”
    • “After a couple of upgrades, no tedious minigame.”
    • “Lots of world exploring and tasking (not grinding) to keep you busy every day.”
    • “The farming aspect is very bland.”
    • “A tedious, dull, repetitive, grindy chore.”
    • “The amount of grinding required is overwhelming.”
  • graphics333 mentions

    The graphics of Kynseed have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful pixel art style, vibrant color palettes, and charming animations, creating an inviting and whimsical atmosphere reminiscent of classic life simulation games like Stardew Valley. Many players appreciate the attention to detail and the unique character designs, although some find certain NPCs visually unappealing. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the immersive experience of its enchanting world.

    • “Seriously one of the best looking pixel graphics games I've come across; the color palettes, detail, design, and world-building are phenomenal.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely breathtaking; the lore and writing are full of charm and are nothing short of addicting.”
    • “The art style is simply gorgeous, with fantastic quality pixel art.”
    • “The graphics are terrible.”
    • “In a game with the messiest, crappiest 2D graphics I've ever seen.”
    • “I was surprised and disappointed by how washed out and bland the graphics look.”
  • music292 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, often drawing comparisons to the beloved soundtracks of the Fable series. Players appreciate the variety and charm of the soundtrack, noting that it complements the game's whimsical art style and enhances the overall immersive experience. While some wish for more diversity in the music, the general consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature that adds depth and enjoyment to the gameplay.

    • “The soundtrack perfectly backs up the sensations of this world, along with a very beautiful art direction that sucks you right in with the little details.”
    • “The music is especially gorgeous; I've been playing so much that YouTube started recommending me all kinds of great 'you're a Celt living in the forest' playlists.”
    • “The music is charming, the art style is great!”
    • “I think the soundtrack is kind of grating after a while.”
    • “The music doesn't loop well.”
    • “I found it eerie and strange, when midday the music would just stop for several minutes.”
  • humor198 mentions

    The humor in "Kynseed" is widely praised for its quirky, pun-filled dialogue and whimsical charm, reminiscent of the beloved "Fable" series. Players appreciate the clever writing, humorous NPC interactions, and the blend of lighthearted and dark humor, though some find the reliance on scatological jokes and puns to be excessive or shallow. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute significantly to its engaging and enjoyable atmosphere, appealing to fans of cozy, humorous gaming experiences.

    • “One of my first actions was to grab some apples from a nearby tree where I was greeted with the first pun when I picked up the 'gassy apple' which sells for higher prices due to 'inflation' - I caught myself chuckling a bit at that and looked forward to the wealth of puns that were to follow. Just as it was back then in the Fable days, Kynseed follows in the footsteps of its older brother.”
    • “The humor in this game is great, especially since I absolutely love dad jokes. Not that all the humor is a dad joke, but a lot of it is.”
    • “The dialogue between NPCs is funny and interesting, and the NPCs themselves are varied and engaging.”
    • “It's not funny, by the way, unless you consider fart jokes, innuendo, and obvious references to other video games hilarious, in which case you're in for a treat!”
    • “Another game with great potential, completely ruined by extremely unfunny fourth-wall-breaking cheesy developer 'humor'.”
    • “Respectfully, if you're not funny, you shouldn't include humor in your game.”
  • atmosphere65 mentions

    The atmosphere of Kynseed is widely praised for its whimsical and enchanting qualities, featuring charming art, beautiful music, and a cozy, immersive world filled with quirky characters and folklore elements. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the relaxing vibe, which enhances the overall experience, despite some concerns about the game's content and development stage. The combination of stunning visuals, atmospheric sound design, and a rich narrative creates a captivating environment that draws players in and encourages exploration.

    • “Kynseed offers a captivating experience that immediately drew me in with its cozy and enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are so stunning, the music is beautiful, the whole atmosphere is just truly magical.”
    • “The art style and music create an amazing atmosphere that really makes me want to keep playing; I can't wait to see what else is in store for this game.”
    • “Weird characters, weird and confused atmosphere, weird mechanics, weird story.”
    • “While the scenery is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, the bits of horror and darkness sprinkled into the storyline and atmosphere make for something completely new.”
    • “It's a farming game and with a bit of a slow start feel yet, but doesn't deter actually again for the atmosphere and finding little things and quirky item descriptions.”
  • stability50 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including freezing, quest issues, and visual anomalies. While some users noted that the game is playable and enjoyable despite these problems, the overall consensus is that it feels unfinished and still in early access, leading to frustration for many. Despite the developers' efforts to address these issues, the game's current state is considered too unstable for a full release.

    • “The game looks great and what is there plays well and is fairly bug-free.”
    • “First off, shame on the devs for calling this buggy, incomplete mess a full release when it’s clearly still early access.”
    • “This game is insanely, game-breakingly buggy.”
    • “It's just too buggy in a lot of ways and doesn't function well for the player.”
  • emotional27 mentions

    Kynseed evokes a complex emotional landscape, blending whimsical charm with darker undertones that can be both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and narrative surprises, others find the lack of genuine emotional investment and frustrating gameplay mechanics detract from their experience. Overall, the game offers a mix of wholesome moments and emotional challenges, making it suitable for players who are emotionally mature enough to navigate its themes.

    • “Kynseed is more than a typical life sim; it’s a journey into a beautifully designed, whimsical, and heartfelt world.”
    • “Incredibly tranquil, splendidly wholesome game with undercurrents of darkness that are nearly imperceptible.”
    • “Love the game and recommend it, but I cried so much!”
  • character development16 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique character designs and the charm of the townsfolk, while others criticize the lack of depth and personality in both the characters and their dialogue. Many feel that the writing is inconsistent, leading to a disconnect that makes it hard to form meaningful connections with the characters. Overall, while the world and gameplay are praised, the character development is seen as an area needing significant improvement to enhance player engagement.

    • “I love the story, I love the gameplay, I love the goofy character designs... the beautiful realms you travel to, the spooky mobs you fight, the skills to master!”
    • “This game would make a neat D&D campaign: a mix of life from different experiences, character development that could both be good and morally questionable, adventures from multiple angles (killing crazy monsters to cooking an apple pie), but my personal favorite is the aspect of creating a family and trying to live contently.”
    • “Character development is decent to strong, and the townsfolk have had a lot of work put into them.”
    • “That being said, some of the writing is definitely hit or miss, and while the character designs are visually unique, their dialogue is samey and there's nothing in it that makes you want to really befriend anyone specifically.”
    • “However, the character designs suck; almost all the NPCs look too similar and have uninteresting personalities.”
    • “The world is full of characters just to make the town feel busy, but they lack any real personality or character development.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has seen improvements with updates enhancing the UI and content, but significant performance issues persist, particularly lag and stuttering in certain areas after extended playtime. While some players find the game runs smoothly, others report frustrating performance drops that hinder gameplay, especially during mini-games. The developers are encouraged to address these bugs to enhance the overall experience.

    • “It gets better every time - optimized UI, tying the story together, huge new content updates.”
    • “It runs smoothly.”
    • “Stats are leveled up by performing specific tasks and make your performance in those tasks much better.”
    • “As much as I liked this game, I can't recommend it. I enjoyed the time I spent in the game, but around the 100-hour mark, I started to experience really bad lag and stuttering in one of the villages called Copperpot. I thought nothing of it since there isn't much in this town; I visit it every often to get some ore, but then the lag started in other areas and towns where I had shops. It became really difficult to do the mini-games to help my blacksmiths keep up with orders. I am not the only one with this issue. If I get help from the developers and they can fix this, I'll come back and change the review, but as of now, keep in mind that if you buy this game, you could run into this issue.”
    • “I was going to say I did like this game despite the performance issues, but I changed my mind now.”
    • “Once they add a few small bug fixes and let the mini-game performance actually impact jam-making, too, I'm sure it'll be a lot more rewarding.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability, with many users highlighting its potential for countless hours of gameplay through exploration and mini-games. While some players feel it lacks replay value, others find it enjoyable enough to return to repeatedly, especially if future expansions are released.

    • “Not for everyone, but the exploration, mini-games, and replayability are wonderful. Also, the first 14 days are a tutorial, so don't be confused by that.”
    • “10/10 suggest this game if you enjoy something chill, whimsical, silly, and something you can come back to time and time again with replay value.”
    • “I can't see any replay value with this game, but if there's ever an expansion, I'll probably go for it without hesitation.”
    • “Even in its early stage, I find it replayable.”
    • “Has the potential for countless hours of gameplay plus replayability.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Users express frustration with the monetization strategy, feeling pressured by ads that encourage them to spend real-life time and money on in-game items, which they perceive as trivial or unnecessary.

    • “He even sends me ads to coax me into selling more of my soul - I mean years of my life - for trinkets!”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, constantly pushing me to spend money just to enjoy basic features.”
    • “It's frustrating how every aspect of the game is tied to microtransactions, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

90% average critic score

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Play time

22hMedian play time
27hAverage play time
5-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs

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