Mirthwood

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 999 reviews
  • story
  • grinding
  • graphics
Mirthwood Game Cover
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"Mirthwood is a single-player open-world RPG life sim with grinding elements, where you manage a homestead, craft items, and trade with towns. Experience an immersive medieval fantasy world with hand-drawn graphics, real-time combat, and survival-lite features. Battle various enemies across diverse regions in a bid to build a peaceful life."

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 999 reviews
story98 positive mentions
grinding273 negative mentions
  • The art style is beautiful and unique, reminiscent of a storybook.
  • The game offers a mix of farming, crafting, and exploration, allowing players to choose their own path.
  • The developers are responsive and actively working on bug fixes and updates.
  • The combat system is clunky and unresponsive, making battles frustrating.
  • There are numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and stuttering.
  • The NPC interactions feel shallow and lack depth, making it hard to form meaningful relationships.
  • story376 mentions

    The game's story is described as intriguing yet often vague, with players encountering a mix of compelling narratives and frustrating quest mechanics. While some appreciate the environmental storytelling and character backstories, many find the quests to be repetitive, lacking depth, and sometimes buggy, leading to a disjointed experience. Overall, the game shows promise in its storytelling potential but requires further refinement and content to fully engage players.

    • “The gameplay kept me so busy and the story had me hooked from the very start until the very end.”
    • “Mirthwood is a transcendental experience in the gaming universe, a true milestone that masterfully combines storytelling, immersion, and innovation.”
    • “The storyline in Mirthwood is gripping, filled with complex characters and a plot that hooks you from start to finish.”
    • “The story is very vague and it's obviously made to be a sandbox/make your own adventure kind of game.”
    • “There is a story, but it's not very compelling.”
    • “The quests are really basic and tedious.”
  • grinding275 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Mirthwood" has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the grind as a means to engage with the game's survival and crafting systems, many find it tedious and lacking in meaningful rewards, particularly in farming where resource gathering can feel overly repetitive and unfulfilling. Overall, players suggest that while the game has potential, it requires significant quality-of-life improvements to make the grinding experience more enjoyable and less burdensome.

    • “It's not the combat, it's not the farming, it's not the crafting or building.”
    • “The game is really grindy and involves a lot of boring repetitive activities that don't feel rewarding because all they do is unlock the next grind without making the game much easier as a reward.”
    • “The farming system is lackluster with only a few crop types per season which for me meant no real incentive to delve deeply.”
    • “Farming probably would have been a better and more profitable experience if I'd figured out earlier how to properly prepare the soil.”
  • graphics237 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beautiful and unique art style, often described as charming and reminiscent of storybook illustrations. Players appreciate the meticulous attention to detail in the environments, which contribute to an immersive atmosphere, although some have noted performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's appeal despite some gameplay shortcomings.

    • “Visually, the game is a feast for the eyes; each environment is meticulously crafted, featuring stunning graphics that blend realism with a unique artistic direction.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and evoke a fairy tale setting which reminds me a lot of Wildermyth (another good one if you haven't played it).”
    • “The artwork is gorgeous! I played 28 hours and didn't notice it; the art style is really beautiful, a delight.”
    • “The game needs some fine tuning when it comes to the performance department; I have a lot of stuttering and frame drops which sometimes makes the game unplayable. I shouldn't have any issues even on ultra high graphics, the game stutters even on the lowest quality settings.”
    • “Gameplay is poor with little direction for quests and I got incredibly dizzy from the graphics after only playing for a very short amount of time.”
    • “I'm very disappointed with the graphics and movement style of the characters, player and NPC.”
  • gameplay181 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is a mixed bag, featuring a unique blend of survival and farming mechanics that some players find engaging and addictive, while others criticize its clunky combat and lack of polish. Exploration and crafting are highlighted as enjoyable aspects, but many users note that the game feels unfinished, with shallow mechanics and a lack of clear guidance for new players. Overall, while the game shows potential with its charming aesthetics and immersive world, it currently suffers from bugs and design issues that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The gameplay kept me so busy and the story had me hooked from the very start until the very end.”
    • “Gameplay stands out as a masterpiece, with polished mechanics that flow seamlessly, offering dynamic combat, intuitive exploration, and a constant sense of meaningful progress.”
    • “The exploration and survival mechanics add good depth and tension to an otherwise calm genre.”
    • “Gameplay: for me, this is more a survival game with farming content than a farming game with survival mechanics.”
    • “The combat is clunky and frustrating, and the fishing mechanic is awful.”
    • “The mechanics, especially combat, feel clunky and slow to respond to inputs (both on PC and Steam Deck).”
  • optimization99 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent stuttering, freezing, and performance dips, particularly in certain areas and during auto-saves. While some users have noted improvements following recent patches and appreciate the developers' responsiveness, the overall consensus is that significant optimization work is still needed to enhance the gaming experience. Players with high-end systems have also experienced performance issues, indicating that the game may not be fully optimized for a range of hardware configurations.

    • “The developers are working on optimizing the game even further to improve the performance to make it a great experience for everyone.”
    • “Just a little optimization improvement and the game will be perfect. It's also nice that the devs care about their players and keep an eye on the regional prices of their game.”
    • “Sure, the game could use a bit of optimization and smoothing of mechanics, but it's a pretty darn good full release, especially for a small developer team.”
    • “The game's optimization is the one area where it falters, with occasional performance drops that may disrupt the experience for some.”
    • “I want to love this game but its performance makes it unplayable both on a PC with a 3080 Super and the Steam Deck.”
    • “This game is cute and has a lot of potential, but should not be considered a v1 release; it's pretty buggy, and the performance, even on good hardware, is quite bad. The game stutters and hangs a lot, and it's clear it needs a good deal of performance optimization.”
  • music87 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, beautifully complementing the visuals and enhancing immersion in the medieval setting. Players appreciate the soundtrack's emotional depth, with many describing it as relaxing and fitting for the game's themes, although some express a desire for more control over audio settings. Overall, the combination of charming art and evocative music creates a captivating experience that resonates with players.

    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the experience, wrapping players in an emotional soundscape that heightens immersion.”
    • “The music blends seamlessly with the game's melancholic tone, enhancing the feeling of stepping into a medieval world on the brink of collapse.”
    • “The hand-drawn art and atmospheric soundtrack create a visually stunning experience, while the deep character customization and engaging quests keep you hooked.”
    • “More time should have been spent prototyping the systems advertised as features, with proper art and music coming in only much, much later.”
    • “The settings for this game are like a game from 2005, with no options to turn down music or ambient noise, just the whole volume itself, making background noise in the game extremely loud and annoying.”
    • “There are so many good ideas and intentions behind the game, but it lacks basic fundamental features that all games should have - I mean, there isn't even an option to turn down or disable the in-game music.”
  • stability66 mentions

    The game currently suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that hinder gameplay. While some players find enjoyment despite these bugs, many express frustration over the game's unfinished state and performance problems. Developers are actively addressing these issues with regular updates, but the overall consensus is that the game feels more like an early access title than a polished release.

    • “Runs great, plays great.”
    • “It's still buggy and there are crashes here and there, especially when fast traveling.”
    • “Crashes and freezes all the time, and the lagging is unbearable; it's unplayable for me.”
    • “The game is currently incredibly buggy.”
  • atmosphere43 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, featuring stunning visuals, atmospheric music, and a unique blend of dark fantasy and cozy elements. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the art style and sound design, which together create a rich and engaging environment reminiscent of beloved titles like "The Witcher 3" and "Stardew Valley." However, some reviews note that while the atmosphere is strong, it may not be enough to compensate for gameplay issues such as resource grinding and combat challenges.

    • “The dark fantasy atmosphere oozes through every pixel, making even the smallest hamlet feel like a place where an undead knight might pop out for some ale and giggles.”
    • “The atmosphere, music, things to do, night/day/seasons changing, overall beautiful world has beyond captivated me!”
    • “Mirthwood is immersive, it's cozy, the visuals and atmosphere are gorgeous and exactly what I was hoping for out of a medieval/fantasy focused sim of this genre.”
    • “The game is ugly, has a different atmosphere than suggested, the controls are uncomfortable and the view is tiring.”
    • “The art style and general atmosphere was the only thing drawing me in but this flubs everything else.”
    • “I suppose I could say the one thing they got right is the atmosphere/art.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by amusing interactions with NPCs, quirky character behaviors, and a blend of light-heartedness and intrigue that keeps players engaged. Players appreciate the witty writing and the comedic elements woven into the story, making for a fun and entertaining experience. Additionally, the community surrounding the game adds to the humor, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

    • “Its not uncommon to appear to be stabbing where you're supposed to only for nothing to happen or for your character to insist on facing the wrong way instead of facing the enemy, or, hilariously enough for the enemy to face the wrong way for a while and attack the air.”
    • “Love the humor and writing; my favorite part is the art. The game is beautiful and fun.”
    • “The conversations with NPCs are so funny sometimes!”
  • emotional7 mentions

    Players highlight the game's emotional depth through its compelling story, immersive soundtrack, and meaningful character relationships, particularly with characters like the innkeeper Clifford. The combination of a mesmerizing art style and ethereal melodies enhances the overall experience, making the world feel vibrant and alive, while the supportive community adds to the game's wholesome atmosphere.

    • “The soundtrack perfectly complements the experience, wrapping players in an emotional soundscape that heightens immersion.”
    • “I found the story to be quite compelling, and the localized stories in locations are quite touching and sometimes amusing.”
    • “Building friendships with characters like the innkeeper Clifford made me feel like a new guy in town, but as our bond grew, I felt more and more like I belonged.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through diverse character creation options, multiple starting areas, and a variety of classes. The inclusion of a morale system allows for good and evil playthroughs, enhancing the experience, although some players noted inconsistencies in NPC interactions. While the game is not yet flawless, it has improved enough to provide a more enjoyable experience.

    • “There are multiple different creation options for your character, different areas you can start from, and a good amount of classes to choose from, so the replay value is definitely there.”
    • “I love the addition of the morale system; I wish more games brought it back. It adds so much replayability, allowing for both good and evil playthroughs.”
    • “I highly recommend this game, but I also highly recommend waiting for it until it's been patched a dozen times and is more playable.”
    • “There are multiple different creation options for your character, different areas you can start from, and a good amount of classes to choose from, so the replay value is there.”
    • “It's not 100% perfect yet; there are still some freezes or drops here and there, but it's much more playable than before.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is praised for lacking microtransactions, which is a refreshing change in the current gaming landscape. However, some users express concerns that the final product feels incomplete and may be perceived as a cash grab, failing to deliver on the depth promised in the demo and marketing.

    • “There's no microtransactions like a lot of recent games, either, so that's a plus (it's sad that we have to consider that!).”
    • “Feel like this might be a cash grab.”
    • “I loved the demo, but somehow, even after delaying release, the 'finished' game is a mess and lacks the depth that the demo and advertising promise.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

15hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
3-22hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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