SunnySide

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 746 reviews
  • grinding
  • optimization
  • gameplay
SunnySide Game Cover
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"SunnySide is a single-player Role Playing game that offers a spectacular story and exceptional gameplay set in a Japanese countryside post town. Create your homestead, build relationships with locals, and express yourself through farming, customization, and self-expression. With 113 crops, 27 characters, and hundreds of recipes, SunnySide provides a dense and highly emotional atmosphere, although it can be grindy, lacking in optimization, and buggy."

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 746 reviews
gameplay58 positive mentions
grinding493 negative mentions
  • The modern take on farming mechanics is refreshing and enjoyable.
  • The art style and graphics create a beautiful and immersive environment.
  • The character customization options are extensive, allowing for a unique player experience.
  • The game is plagued with bugs and performance issues, making it feel unfinished.
  • The relationship mechanics are shallow, lacking depth and meaningful interactions.
  • The game requires a lot of backtracking and running around, which can become tedious.
  • grinding494 mentions

    The reviews for "grinding" in the game highlight a mixed experience, with many players finding the gameplay engaging yet tedious due to the extensive resource gathering and crafting requirements. While some appreciate the depth and complexity of the farming mechanics, others feel that the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment, making progress feel slow and repetitive. Overall, the game offers a modern twist on the farming sim genre, but its grindy aspects may not appeal to everyone, especially newcomers to the genre.

    • “With that said, creating the small details such as building the furniture and buildings requires a ton of resources you have to find in the cave and forest, which makes the game feel grindy pretty early on.”
    • “The polish issues coupled with the tediousness of going back and forth across the town, impatiently waiting for my character to slowly get on and off of her bike, just turn me off from playing it further.”
    • “It feels amazing to play, all of the characters are so well-designed and interesting, and the farming and hangout systems are innovative and fun, but the grinding aspect makes it hard to recommend to players looking for a more casual experience.”
  • optimization232 mentions

    The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including low frame rates and frequent stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements following recent patches, the overall sentiment is that the game feels unpolished and requires further optimization to enhance the gameplay experience. Many reviewers express hope that the developers will continue to address these issues, but currently, the game's performance remains a major drawback.

    • “Overall, my only big critique on this game is the optimization and how it stutters in town, but even then it has not made the game unplayable for me and I don't notice it too much to where it's a massive frustration.”
    • “While there may still be some weird performance quirks, I am enjoying this game so much that I am excited to see it change and grow.”
    • “The developers in the Steam discussion said the updates pre-release compared to the demo are significantly more optimized and should run better.”
    • “However, the game in its entirety feels undercooked and is riddled with bugs and runs very poorly. I have a pretty high-end PC, and a lot of the time the game dips into sub-20 fps during travel through town and other various moments, which can distract from the elements of the game that are great, but it isn't carried enough by said elements that the bugs and performance can be ignored.”
    • “The performance is laughably bad.”
    • “First of all, the game currently has performance issues and bugs that can be frustrating at times.”
  • gameplay227 mentions

    The gameplay of this farming sim is praised for its immersive mechanics, variety of activities, and modern twists on traditional elements, offering a rich experience for players who enjoy depth and complexity. However, many users report significant bugs, performance issues, and a lack of clarity in some mechanics, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While the game has potential and a charming aesthetic, it requires further optimization and refinement to fully realize its capabilities.

    • “The farming gameplay feels amazingly immersive, and there's such a variety of crops, flowers, and trees to grow and look at.”
    • “At 199 hours, I've really enjoyed the game so far - the mechanics are a breath of fresh air in farming sims, and I really enjoy the complexity in the farming and cooking system in particular.”
    • “The gameplay is exactly what I was hoping it would be, and I feel like the dev team delivered.”
    • “The depth of the farming mechanics feels almost too real, and I was excited to automate farming and production, but then came the crashes... oh the crashes... since this is a sleep-to-save game, any progress made since your character woke up is lost if the game crashes.”
    • “Mechanically, a lot of the systems in this game are tedious, and there needs to be some heavy-duty quality of life improvements before I can safely recommend this to anyone.”
    • “There is a high jank factor, with poorly explained mechanics, bugged broken features, and things straight up missing, such as a way to sell/remove animals.”
  • graphics224 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the unique art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli and anime aesthetics, which contribute to a charming atmosphere. However, numerous users have reported issues such as graphical glitches, lag, and unpolished textures, indicating that while the visuals are appealing, they require significant optimization and refinement to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a blend of beautiful design and frustrating technical shortcomings.

    • “The graphics are beautiful, and I want to kiss the creators of this game on the mouth.”
    • “The art style is great, the little town is beautiful to look at, and all the details put into this game, both big and small, are what make it great.”
    • “From the moment you step into Sunnyside, the game's stunning visuals and serene landscapes draw you in.”
    • “The graphics need a lot more polish, but the underlying aesthetic they are going for is headed in the right direction.”
    • “Even though it's a final product, there are noticeable bugs and graphical issues that can break the immersion, such as NPCs glitching, character weird poses, and animal glitches.”
    • “I wanted to love this so bad, but I hate it; the visuals are stiff and unpolished, really glitchy to play.”
  • story217 mentions

    The game's story is described as cozy and engaging, with a charming atmosphere and well-designed characters, though some players find it lacks depth and feels generic at times. While the quest system provides a structure for progression, many reviewers express frustration with bugs and unclear objectives that hinder the experience. Overall, the narrative has potential but requires refinement and more substantial content to fully captivate players.

    • “I enjoy this game because of the story, fleshed out characters, and the love the dev has put into the game as well as their interaction with the Sunnyside community.”
    • “The story is engaging and the buildings and homes you can build are nicely made.”
    • “The characters and their development feel somewhat superficial, but the main story is not very long.”
    • “I started with the story mode, and since quests had bugs and I had a few crashes here and there, I gave up continuing on that part since the progress doesn't really satisfy you because it is really slow and tedious.”
    • “While the quest line does its job of guiding the player through the game, I wish there was a central mission that gives the player a goal to strive towards.”
    • “The divide between the main story and the actual town life is so jarring that it feels awkward and forced, and the lack of change within the characters makes the environment boring after a short time.”
  • music157 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its relaxing and catchy qualities, enhancing the overall cozy atmosphere. Many players appreciate the diverse soundtrack that evolves as they explore different areas, often drawing comparisons to the music styles found in the Persona series. While some users noted minor issues with music transitions and volume levels, the general consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's charm and immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack and game world are beautiful and are easy to get lost in.”
    • “The music is so relaxing and gives a good cozy vibe that you can expect out of a farming sim.”
    • “The catchy music and soundscape really adds to the cozy relaxing game, enhancing the experience and allowing you to unwind and enjoy your time.”
    • “The music does not fade in or out; it just abruptly stops and skips tracks.”
    • “The music was a bit off and didn't really fit very well. I would have much rather had the sound of wind, birds, and a mellow background, but the music was overpowering and didn't really fit the theme of the game.”
    • “Just a quick one, there is a real lack of sound in this game. When it's there, it's great and adds to the atmosphere, but most of the time it feels like 'let's constantly play music and hope the player doesn't notice that there is next to no sound design.'”
  • stability113 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Many reviewers express disappointment that, despite the game's full release, it feels unfinished and unpolished, with frequent crashes and graphical problems. While some players find enjoyment in the game despite its flaws, the consensus is that it requires substantial improvements to reach a satisfactory level of stability.

    • “Everything looks and runs great.”
    • “My experience has been mostly bug free, completely crash free, and has run passably well despite how demanding the game is graphically.”
    • “I'm not gonna lie and say this game isn't buggy, it for sure is, but for all the bugs I really didn't have any (so far) that interfered with me playing the game.”
    • “I'm disappointed as I followed the devs for over a year, waited a few months after full release so they could work out the kinks in their game, and yet, these glitches are still happening.”
    • “This game has a lot of potential with its story arc, modernized farming mechanic, and beautiful views, but right now this game is way too buggy to even be playable.”
    • “Very buggy, UI and controls not finished, entire sections not finished or hastily put together without care.”
  • humor35 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky animations, particularly the ragdoll physics during bike crashes, which often lead to hilarious moments. Players appreciate the lighthearted take on farming mechanics and the amusing bugs, despite some being frustrating. Overall, the game's charm lies in its ability to evoke laughter through its janky elements and clever writing, making it enjoyable for those with a sense of humor about its imperfections.

    • “It's also hilarious when you crash your bike.”
    • “The ragdoll physics when you crash your bike are pretty hilarious; sometimes I can't stop crashing it, but it's always funny.”
    • “This game is cute and adorable while also being hilarious and fun as hell if you're into these kinds of things.”
  • atmosphere26 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy, charming depiction of rural Japan, enhanced by vibrant visuals and a soothing soundtrack that immerses players in a peaceful environment. Reviewers appreciate the attention to detail, the relaxing gameplay, and the nostalgic vibes, although some note minor issues with sound design and certain mechanics. Overall, the game successfully creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.

    • “They nailed the atmosphere of the game; you really feel like you're in the Japanese countryside.”
    • “The Japanese countryside is rendered with loving detail, creating a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.”
    • “The vibrant, anime-inspired visuals create a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere that fans of the genre will find utterly charming.”
    • “The atmosphere and attention to detail is there, even if some aspects still seem quite unpolished.”
    • “Music often gets severely underestimated in setting the tone for a game, but I think the music here plays a significant role in supporting the relaxed atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is incredibly pretty and I cannot get enough of the rainy weather days; they are my jam.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply engaging, highlighting its sense of community and wholesome atmosphere that fosters a cozy experience. The heartfelt storytelling and character customization resonate with many, making them feel represented and connected to the game's world. Despite some technical issues, the overall sentiment is that the game offers a touching and immersive emotional journey, reminiscent of cherished memories and cultural ties.

    • “As for highlights of the game, I haven't come across any other farming games that made me feel like a part of the community in quite the same way.”
    • “It was heartbreaking to realize I locked myself out of romancing Kaida because of where I thought to put myself on the scale.”
    • “The amount of love and research that has gone into all the little pieces that make this game so amazing is so heartwarming to see.”
  • character development10 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its extensive character creation options, allowing for diverse representation in terms of backgrounds, ethnicities, gender, and sexuality. While some users find the character designs appealing and reflective of a variety of identities, others note inconsistencies between NPC designs and the main character. Overall, the character design is seen as a strong aspect, contributing positively to the game's immersive experience.

    • “There are lots of great character designs and a huge cast.”
    • “The character creation is wonderful, offering a balanced representation that made me feel seen, not only as a person of color but also as a woman who appreciates a tasteful approach to character design.”
    • “Good writing and character designs with a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities, gender, and sexuality despite its setting in Japan.”
    • “Character design does not match NPC designs and looks weird.”
    • “Character design is okay, there's not much to it but there's enough for different characters.”
    • “I love the concept and the character design, but there are some things keeping me from being able to enjoy it or recommend it right now.”
  • replayability3 mentions

    Reviewers highlight that the game possesses strong replayability, offering engaging content that encourages multiple playthroughs. Even without certain features, players find enough value to revisit the game, suggesting a well-crafted experience that remains enjoyable over time.

    • “It is composed with style, warmth, and replayability.”
    • “But it will still have replay value without it.”
    • “Talk about replayability!”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the monetization approach, noting that it reflects genuine care for the game rather than being solely focused on profit, suggesting a balanced and player-friendly strategy.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy SunnySide

Play time

10hMedian play time
12hAverage play time
3-26hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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