Roots of Pacha

Even amidst the farming sim renaissance, Roots of Pacha cultivates a charming, community-driven vision of the Stone Age that’s endlessly satisfying and always enchanting.

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In "Roots of Pacha," players discover, gather, and farm vegetables, herbs, and animals while exploring a primitive world. They develop tools, invent buildings, and learn to process food, mine resources, and explore caves. The playable clan forms friendships, overcomes hardships, and grows its village by inviting others to join, creating a unique and personalized experience.

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Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,286 reviews

gameplay147 positive mentions

grinding928 negative mentions

Roots of Pacha offers a unique twist on the farming sim genre, set in a prehistoric context that enhances the gameplay experience.
The game features a charming art style, engaging music, and a variety of activities including farming, animal taming, and cave exploration.
The community aspect is well-developed, with NPCs contributing to the village's progress and providing a sense of collaboration and connection.

The pacing can feel slow, especially in the early game, and some players may find the lack of combat and urgency unengaging.
NPCs, while diverse, can feel one-dimensional and lack depth in their character development and interactions.
The game may become repetitive after completing the main story, with limited endgame content and a grindy feel for completionists.

grinding
934 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
99 % negative mentions
The reviews for "grinding" in *Roots of Pacha* reveal a mixed sentiment among players. While many appreciate the game's engaging mechanics and the sense of progression through farming, crafting, and community building, some find certain aspects, particularly the farming and animal husbandry, to be tedious and grindy, especially in the late game. Overall, players enjoy the unique prehistoric setting and the variety of activities, but some express a desire for a more balanced approach to grinding to enhance the overall experience.
- “The mechanics of the game are easy and not too grindy (compared to SOS: A Wonderful Life, HM: Light of Hope).”
- “The town simulation half is just as important as the farm simulation half, as it is where you'll be spending the majority of your time when you aren't farming or exploring.”
- “All of the things I loved about Stardew Valley without all of the things I disliked about it (i.e. no farming in winter and all the fighting).”
- “That's anti-fun; that's called being grindy for the sake of being grindy.”
- “The payoff for grinding these animals was just not worth it in the end.”
- “The farming is tedious and time-consuming at the beginning, but it sounds like they're going to be improving that in a future update.”
gameplay
450 mentions
33 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Roots of Pacha" is characterized by its blend of familiar farming sim mechanics, reminiscent of "Stardew Valley," and unique features that enhance the experience, such as community contributions and animal taming through music. Players appreciate the intuitive mechanics, engaging story, and quality of life improvements, although some find the gameplay can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game offers a relaxing and charming experience with a strong emphasis on community and exploration, making it a standout in the farming sim genre.
- “Roots of Pacha is very close to capturing the essence of Stardew Valley, that is to say, enjoyable characters, a town/tribe you care about, an enjoyable routine to the gameplay loop, and comforting visuals.”
- “The mechanics are intuitive and easy to understand, making the gameplay enjoyable and engaging.”
- “The gradual unlocking of new tools, crops, and areas keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, ensuring there's always something new to discover and accomplish.”
- “Too much hand-holding and linear gameplay for my liking.”
- “The gameplay is dull and boring.”
- “If you play farming sims because you like the actual gameplay of them, this game is not for you - it is for the people who like to spend time in virtual communities and enjoy a friendly neighborhood.”
story
436 mentions
31 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story in "Roots of Pacha" is generally well-received, with players appreciating its unique prehistoric setting and engaging character arcs that add depth to the gameplay. Many reviewers highlight the meaningful NPC interactions and quests that drive the narrative forward, although some express a desire for more complexity and variety in the storylines. Overall, the game is praised for its charming storytelling and community-focused themes, making it a standout in the farming sim genre.
- “I love the story and the characters.”
- “The story is original, engaging, and interesting, with a lovely feel to it.”
- “Roots of Pacha is a delightful stone age nod to Stardew Valley, and a wonderful story about people coming together past differences and making a better life for everyone.”
- “The story is its own and the gameplay is different too, but still.... you will understand once you play.”
- “The story at this point is a bit barebones, especially the 'conflict' between two neighboring tribes that isn't entirely clear, but maybe the story and conflict will have more depth near endgame.”
- “The characters and story are forgettable.”
music
224 mentions
54 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its charm and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the unique integration of music in mechanics, such as taming animals, and many find the soundtrack catchy and memorable, often leading to tunes lingering in their heads. Overall, the soundtrack is described as delightful, well-composed, and a significant highlight of the game, contributing to its cozy and engaging vibe.
- “The music creates such a chill atmosphere, and each area of the game has different versions of the main season music that plays, complementing the gameplay overall.”
- “The soundtrack is beautiful, the graphics and character designs are adorable, and the story is just delightful.”
- “The music is fantastic and the aesthetics are warm and cozy.”
- “I so badly wanted to like this game because the art style and music is reminiscent of Stardew Valley and a typical farming sim, however I found myself getting bored very quickly.”
- “It was quite cute at first, but I realized that it's the same songs over and over, and you have to do it so much too so it eventually felt tedious.”
- “At times, it felt a little too Stardew-y, with some sound cues and music choices feeling like they were even using the same soundfont, but that doesn't mean it didn't feel pleasant or appropriate.”
graphics
193 mentions
50 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Roots of Pacha" have received widespread praise for their charming pixel art style, which many players find reminiscent of beloved titles like "Stardew Valley." Reviewers highlight the game's cute and colorful visuals, well-designed characters, and the overall cozy aesthetic that enhances the gameplay experience. While some players express minor critiques regarding specific character designs or simplicity, the majority appreciate the unique art direction and the delightful atmosphere it creates.
- “The graphics are beautiful and the gameplay is relaxing yet engaging.”
- “Roots of Pacha did that, and slightly exceeded my expectations by delivering a delightful farming simulation set in prehistoric time with lovely pixel graphics and art style that made a visually captivating environment from the picturesque landscapes to the adorable animals and good-looking character designs.”
- “The art style is beautiful, it has a rich story and addicting gameplay.”
- “The graphics and animation are revolting.”
- “I don't mind pixel or retro art style, but somehow I cannot vibe with this game.”
- “I so badly wanted to like this game because the art style and music is reminiscent of Stardew Valley and a typical farming sim; however, I found myself getting bored very quickly.”
emotional
47 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players highlighting its heartwarming story, engaging characters, and wholesome community vibes that foster a sense of belonging. Many reviewers compare it favorably to Stardew Valley, noting its ability to evoke feelings of joy and relaxation, making it ideal for both younger and older audiences. The game's charming cutscenes and cooperative play enhance the emotional experience, creating memorable moments that resonate with players.
- “The story is sweet and heartwarming.”
- “You really do feel like you're part of a little family instead of being an outsider - it's really heartwarming.”
- “More than any other game, Roots of Pacha made me feel like part of a little community, rather than the sole point of focus of the community.”
atmosphere
20 mentions
60 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and cozy qualities, featuring lush environments, vibrant colors, and a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the attention to detail in the world-building and the sense of tranquility it evokes, although some find the characters lack depth, which detracts from the overall engagement. Overall, the atmosphere is described as inviting and well-crafted, contributing significantly to the game's charm.
- “The whole setting is very well done and sets the atmosphere masterfully.”
- “The game world is meticulously crafted, with lush environments, vibrant colors, and atmospheric sound design.”
- “The hand-drawn visuals create a cozy and inviting atmosphere that sets a pleasant tone.”
- “As much as I love the atmosphere and idea of the game, the characters are so dull and boring, it makes it nearly impossible to choose anyone for a romanceable option, since they're all pretty much the same exact dullness.”
- “I think it's the pacing and the atmosphere of the game itself that kills it for me.”
- “It does a few things very well, namely the cozy atmosphere, the sense of progression and the constant things to look forward to as the village upgrades.”
character development
15 mentions
33 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted through engaging storylines and diverse, well-designed characters, particularly among the townsfolk and marriageable options. Players appreciate the depth revealed through cutscenes and interactions, although some feel that the focus on romance limits broader character exploration. Overall, the charming art and music complement the character development, making it a delightful experience for fans of cozy games.
- “You can see the character development once you get closer to them.”
- “- diverse cast of townsfolk and marriageable characters with their own character development and storylines.”
- “This game is also adorable, I love all the NPCs, and the character development is honestly great.”
- “I'm mainly fixated on this because I think the cut scenes in Stardew were the main forms of character development in my opinion, whether it was romantic or not.”
- “Events are mostly reserved for romanceable characters, and for a game centered around the growth of a village through character development and interaction, I feel this is a large misstep.”
- “I'm not looking for Baldur's Gate 3 level of character development, but just something that made me go 'I want to see what this person is about.'”
humor
13 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the comedic elements in cutscenes and character interactions, such as the absurdity of fishing by hitting fish with rocks and humorous dating scenarios. While many find the characters and their unique quirks delightful, some note that certain dialogues can feel bland and lacking in humor. Overall, the game successfully blends emotional moments with lighthearted fun, contributing to an engaging and entertaining experience.
- “I also like how each player can make their own choice during a cutscene (although it's funny seeing the other party only respond to one of the choices if you choose a different one).”
- “Thought it was hella funny that you fish by hitting them with a rock.”
- “This isn’t a full criticism but there have been hilarious moments when a character has asked me to date them while I am standing next to their own brother that I am in a relationship with.”
optimization
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance and polished mechanics. However, some users report minor stuttering issues, particularly after extended play sessions and when upgrading the village, as well as a lack of controller optimization. Despite these concerns, the gameplay experience remains enjoyable.
- “Very fun mechanics, convenient settings, very polished and optimized.”
- “The game runs smoothly, doesn't crash or stutter.”
- “Otherwise, the game runs smoothly and the storyline is solid, so I’m enjoying playing it.”
- “There are a few aspects that aren't optimized.”
- “It doesn't seem to be optimized for a controller, but that's fine with me.”
- “The biggest problem I had with it was optimization.”
replayability
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
Replayability in the game is a mixed bag; while some players praise its stellar customization options and engaging progression mechanics that encourage exploration and community building, others feel it lacks depth compared to titles like Stardew Valley. Concerns are raised about static elements and limited variability in gameplay, which may hinder long-term replayability despite the potential for different play styles. Overall, the game offers enjoyable replayability for some, but not universally.
- “Replayability is stellar; customizations have been thought through well.”
- “Unique game with lots of replayability, and my god, the UI is too good.”
- “This is everything I love in a farming game, but the discovery aspect provides replayability --- I'm loving this game.”
- “I can't see this ever having any replayability.”
- “I feel that the static camp and set slots to build contribute to the lack of replayability pretty significantly, and also reduce the amount of thought you can put into your setup.”
- “I'm not sure how much replayability the caves have as once you are familiar with the puzzle, it seems like something that'd be easy to duplicate with a later save.”
stability
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally strong, with only a few minor issues reported, such as a specific bug related to the initial animal shed placement and some visual glitches. Players have noted that it runs well on the Steam Deck, although there are occasional crashes and freezes, particularly due to the lack of a save option outside of in-game mechanics.
- “I have been playing on my Steam Deck and it runs great on it!”
- “It runs great on the Deck; it's honestly the perfect game for it, since you can suspend the game at any time and get around the slightly frustrating lack of a save option outside of going to bed in-game.”
- “Only two issues I have are: 1 - a bug where if you don't place down the first animal shed that you get, the game glitches and you are never able to go back and place the free shed.”
- “Constant crashes and freezes.”
- “There were some visual glitches in places, but nothing that meaningfully impacted gameplay.”
monetization
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of these games is criticized for leading to a surge of uninspired cash grabs that lack the charm and depth of the genre, with many titles feeling like derivative remakes or unfinished products aimed solely at profit rather than quality. Players express disappointment in the lack of innovation and the superficial seasonal changes, which further contribute to the perception of laziness in design.
- “After Stardew took off, every single developer seemed to want a piece of the cozy/life-sim pie, which led to an influx of soulless cash grabs from people who didn't understand what makes these games great and failed to capture the magic and heart of what the genre is all about.”
- “The more I've played it, the more it feels like a lazy cash grab. Of the 5 areas (excluding the cave for obvious reasons), only 2 appear noticeably different in winter, with 2 covered in snow and the others just fine, despite being only 5 minutes away.”
- “Most feel derivative, either just remakes of old games that rely on nostalgia goggles or cash grabs by half-baked studios that push out unfinished products after years in early access.”