Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,077 reviews
  • grinding
  • story
  • gameplay
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Game Cover
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a heavenly combination of realistic farming, combat and exploration served with a hearty side of great characters and writing
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Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a farming simulation and action game hybrid. Players control Sakuna, a harvest goddess banished to a dangerous island, where they must farm rice to survive and defeat demons to grow stronger. The game features detailed rice cultivation mechanics and intense side-scrolling combat, all presented in a beautiful painted art style.

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Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,077 reviews
story127 positive mentions
grinding755 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of farming simulation and action platforming, providing a refreshing gameplay experience.
  • The rice farming mechanics are surprisingly in-depth and educational, allowing players to learn about the intricacies of rice cultivation.
  • The characters are charming and well-developed, with a heartwarming story that evolves throughout the game.
  • The controls can be clunky and unresponsive, particularly when planting rice and during combat, leading to frustrating gameplay moments.
  • The game suffers from occasional crashes and technical issues, which can disrupt the overall experience.
  • Some players may find the farming mechanics tedious and repetitive, especially as the game progresses.
  • grinding759 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin" is a mixed bag, with many players noting that while the rice farming mechanics are intricate and rewarding, they can also feel tedious and repetitive, especially in the early stages. The game requires significant time investment in farming to boost combat stats, leading to a grind that some find frustrating, particularly when forced to replay sections to regain lost progress. However, others appreciate the depth of the farming system and its integration with character growth, making the grind feel purposeful and satisfying for those who enjoy micromanagement and resource management.

    • “An excellent game crafted with care and steeped in lore that runs closely parallel to real-world myth, featuring an in-depth but not tedious farming simulator and a rewarding side-scrolling section where you fight monsters for rewards that are all intensely useful.”
    • “Nothing feels particularly tedious, although it would be nice if you could gain stats faster since it does feel somewhat slow for story progression.”
    • “And when you're not farming rice, you're farming mobs.”
    • “Start of the game is a real slog and really wants you to be grinding the farming part in order to progress due to not having the stats to even do damage to enemies, hours 10-25 is where the game is fun but the rest is either a slog or absolute cbt.”
    • “The game has a section near the end where you lose almost all your stats and have to slowly get it back by replaying areas of the game again which is not enjoyable and is extremely punishing if like me you were able to clear most of the content in the middle of the game severely underleveled using skill alone, once that part happened I was being one-shot trying to get my stats back so I was forced to grind farming for multiple hours (at this point in the game you also level up much slower than normal).”
    • “The farming system while it's unique, it got super repetitive real quick.”
  • story362 mentions

    The story of "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin" is a heartwarming and character-driven narrative that follows a spoiled goddess's journey of growth and redemption as she learns the values of hard work and community through rice farming and combat. While the plot is generally straightforward and may feel predictable at times, it is enriched by well-developed characters and engaging interactions that add depth to the experience. Players appreciate the integration of story with gameplay mechanics, although some note pacing issues and a lack of complexity in certain plot elements.

    • “The strong story with compelling characters interwoven into the gameplay ties everything together.”
    • “The story is about a spoiled, exiled goddess who must learn the values of humility, teamwork, and discipline through manual labor and ridding the world of demons.”
    • “The story is very wholesome and the cool part is that you get to hear more lore and world-building during dinner as well as find out more about the cast.”
    • “The story didn't pull me in at all either, so I don't have that element to latch onto instead.”
    • “The story was mid.”
    • “The overall story is very basic, game does progress while you (you need specific amount of 'stars' to open up new areas, each area awards you 'stars' for completing different conditions) which sort of dampers pacing.”
  • gameplay350 mentions

    The gameplay in "Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin" is a unique blend of intricate rice farming mechanics and engaging side-scrolling combat, creating a satisfying loop that encourages exploration and character growth. While the farming aspect is praised for its depth and realism, some players find the combat mechanics to be clunky and occasionally frustrating, particularly with poorly explained mechanics and a lack of polish. Overall, the game offers a refreshing experience that balances action and strategy, though it may require patience to fully appreciate its complexities.

    • “The dual gameplay, between the frenetic action of combat and the relaxing farming in the rice paddies during sunset, gives the game a very special flair.”
    • “One half intricate rice farming simulator, one half combo-heavy hack'n'slash combat, Sakuna manages to nail both of its core gameplay loops and the result is delightful.”
    • “The farming mechanics are not simple but also take a bit of skill, from planting the sprouts, maintaining the paddy through the season, harvesting and preparing the rice, each part with its own mini-game.”
    • “The combat can be fun but it's very unpolished; sometimes you will ukemi and land, but your character just appears to randomly face the wrong direction at times or they will have baffling choices like RNG-based stage hazards or bombarding you with bombs which completely bypass your defense stat.”
    • “The biggest offender of 'not clearly communicated' is the final fight of the game during which a completely new mechanic is introduced which is all but required to beat it.”
    • “Overall, while I did want to enjoy this game due to the idea behind it (mix of farming and action gameplay), I grew bored of it very quickly around about the time I was waiting for my second rice yield.”
  • music127 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its charm and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many players noting its fitting integration with the game's aesthetics and themes. While some find it initially enjoyable, others mention it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is described as fantastic, with standout tracks that evoke nostalgia and complement the gameplay experience beautifully.

    • “The soundtrack is fantastic.”
    • “Great story, very endearing and charming characters and an exceptional OST to accompany things.”
    • “The music really gives a relaxing atmosphere; it's perfect, matched to its environment.”
    • “Music is acceptable but nothing quite stands out to me.”
    • “The music and the graphics in the sidescrolling sections carry their weight, but otherwise do not impress me much.”
    • “None of the music really jumped out at me, though I did note that it does a great job playing in the background to set the tone for the given scenes.”
  • graphics100 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style, which combines a charming anime aesthetic with vibrant colors and detailed environments that evoke a nostalgic Japanese atmosphere. While some reviewers note that the visuals may not be groundbreaking, they appreciate the overall presentation, including fluid animations and a cohesive design that enhances the gameplay experience. The combination of appealing graphics and a fitting musical score contributes to a relaxing and immersive atmosphere, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The visuals evoke a fantasy historical Japan that is filled with awe-inspiring beauty--I would frequently find myself sitting in my rice field at night, staring up at the starry sky as the wind blew through the trees, or admiring the detail of raindrops splashing on water bubbles as I went to explore in the midst of a storm.”
    • “The graphics are top tier, the characters are all great, the music is awesome, and there's just so much you can do!”
    • “The visuals are a treat for the eyes, as a superb art style is further enhanced by high-fidelity lighting and shadows, complete with a full day to night cycle to flex them.”
    • “The cutscenes are not the most cinematic - you mostly get characters moving one by one and then just doing one animation with conversation bubbles, but it fits the art style, so no biggie.”
    • “The music and the graphics in the sidescrolling sections carry their weight, but otherwise do not impress me much.”
    • “The graphics are what you would expect for a 2-man game; it's a passable generic art style that gets the job done.”
  • emotional34 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming and touching story, which features character development and themes of compassion throughout. Players appreciate the blend of wholesome moments and engaging storytelling, with some moments evoking strong emotional responses. While the gameplay may not be groundbreaking, the narrative and character interactions create a memorable and heartfelt experience that resonates with many players.

    • “The story in this game is very heartfelt and I think, maybe the game's strongest selling point.”
    • “There are moments late in the story with huge payoffs and moments that almost made me cry; a story that can do that is a winner in my book!”
    • “The story is heartwarming, and you see the character development of a spoiled goddess change and the characters around her.”
  • humor29 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and clever writing, with many players enjoying the funny dialogue and character interactions that add depth to the experience. The blend of cute aesthetics with humorous elements, including quirky character designs and amusing scenarios, creates a light-hearted atmosphere that resonates well with players. While some found the English voice acting less appealing, the overall comedic tone, combined with engaging gameplay, keeps players entertained throughout.

    • “The dialogue and character designs are wonderful, and the interactions have the kind of nuance and humor many games can only aspire to.”
    • “Game had me smiling and laughing from beginning to end.”
    • “Cute and funny rice-farming simulation masquerading as an action platformer... sure, you can go out and beat up assorted demonic forest critters for loot, but character advancement is directly tied to the quality of the rice you're growing, not the number of demon bunnies you just massacred.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhanced by excellent music and charming characters. Set against a picturesque Japanese farmstead backdrop, the game creates a tranquil environment that encourages relaxation and enjoyment. Reviewers highlight the art style and sound design as key elements that contribute to the overall delightful and engaging atmosphere.

    • “The vibes of this game are absolutely immaculate; the atmosphere is a Japanese farmstead with a small group of troublemakers turned friends where you only have to worry about your crop.”
    • “The setting, characters, and general atmosphere of old Japan are wonderfully fleshed out.”
    • “The art and atmosphere are adorable and tranquil; the rice growing mechanics have a certain depth and truth to them.”
    • “The overall atmosphere of the game is very scenic and calming.”
    • “The atmosphere and characters have much more personality than I expected when I thought they'd just be bland NPCs.”
    • “The music serves the atmosphere very well.”
  • character development22 mentions

    Overall, the character development in the game is highly praised, with many reviewers noting the depth and nuance of character interactions, as well as the transformation of key characters throughout the story. The combination of engaging dialogue, lovable character designs, and a heartwarming narrative contributes to a strong emotional connection with the characters. Players appreciate the integration of character growth with gameplay elements, making for a satisfying and immersive experience.

    • “The dialogue and character designs are wonderful, and the interactions have the kind of nuance and humor many games can only aspire to.”
    • “The story is heartwarming and you see the character development of a spoiled goddess change and the characters around her.”
    • “But to be honest, we all play just for the cute character design and to cry like a river.”
    • “There's real character development in this game as well that you experience over in-game years of shared struggles and stories swapped at dinnertime.”
    • “More character development than I expected, and the story and gameplay feel pretty tightly integrated.”
  • optimization17 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting smooth performance and consistent frame rates, particularly on capable hardware. However, some users experienced crashes and bugs, and there are complaints about the lack of customizable controls and repetitive gameplay elements. While the game runs well for most, there is still room for improvement in areas like input settings and level design.

    • “The farming consists of seasonal minigames, each with their own rituals for optimization.”
    • “For performance, this game runs at a consistent 60 fps and I have yet to have any technical issue.”
    • “Game is well optimized for my 1060 laptop.”
    • “Sadly, the keyboard can't be remapped. For example, I want to change the special attack from the middle mouse button to G5 (using a mouse that has multiple buttons), but I can't do that. The game is incapable of remapping for keyboard and mouse, but it is capable of detecting input device changes, which is great (though it's only for the Xbox controller, I think).”
    • “The farming is repetitive and required to level up, which means you can't rush through the game as a result. The controls are generally bad and could be optimized easily. The game is full of bugs, and I get stuck a lot. The level design is terrible, and the whole game feels very repetitive. However, the characters and story are charming, and I really like the intro and ending.”
    • “Performance is strange for me; no matter what I do in the game, the FPS shows around 40. When I change to 30 FPS in-game, it goes down to 20.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability is marred by occasional bugs, including enemies glitching into the floor, which can disrupt gameplay and necessitate level resets. While the performance is generally good, the port suffers from various glitches that need addressing.

    • “The game runs smoothly without any major glitches or crashes.”
    • “I appreciate the stability of the gameplay; it allows me to fully immerse myself in the experience.”
    • “Overall, the performance is solid, providing a reliable gaming experience.”
    • “Enemies can be a bit buggy sometimes; one time I had an enemy glitch into the floor, and I had to reset the level because I couldn't reach them.”
    • “However, it's really buggy.”
    • “It has some small kinks to work out, such as glitches, but it's awesome.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

15hMedian play time
21hAverage play time
10-40hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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