Mirthwood

Mirthwood is an open-ended farming sim with a unique dark fantasy setting. While character interaction is limited and combat is underwhelming, you’ll find yourself spoiled with things to do, allowing you to live free in a hand-drawn and mysterious country.

I kind of wish that Mirthwood’s combat was either way better or entirely optional. Alas, it is neither. Aside from that, though, Mirthwood is an entertaining and engaging mashup of cozy farming and RPG adventuring. It’s easy to spend a lot of relaxing time puttering around, chatting up the townsfolk or combing the world for treasure.

Mirthwood boasts stunning storybook-esque art design, a whimsical score, intriguing gameplay mechanics, and features hindered by performance and graphical issues. However, with the development team committed to providing post-launch support and a detailed roadmap outlining the future ahead, the game does indeed have a promising future ahead.

Lovingly designed farming sim and role-playing game that doesn't live up to its expectations (yet?)

Ultimately, I see a lot of unrealized potential here. Blending cozy gameplay with dark subject matter, Mirthwood offers an experience that is pleasantly familiar, yet distinct enough to stand out from other games of its ilk. That said, it’s not an experience that appeals to me in its current state. Once some changes are made to the combat mechanics and NPC dialogue, perhaps I’ll want to return to the Free Lands and finally see my crops bear fruit.

Mirthwood fails to inspire any feelings similar to its namesake.