Spiritfarer

 PC
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. RPG Fan
    Nov 3, 2020
    73
    Spiritfarer is a perfect example of a game where one has to keep their expectations in check. I honestly feel the trailers have misrepresented what the majority of the game is, and I wish the developers had actually cut the content in half or found a way to speed up the entire process. What’s here hints at the depth of quality that could have been, but the designers seemed more concerned with giving their audience their money’s worth rather than packing ten hours with high-quality content. Or maybe I should have engaged in more meditation over the 25-hour experience. Regardless, Spiritfarer has moments of beauty that will resonate with many players, while others, like myself, will be left wondering what could have been.
  2. TheGamer
    Aug 18, 2020
    70
    It perfectly marries gameplay and story in a way that isn't seen often. By the end, I had come to love Spiritfarer and am happy I stuck with it. Still, I can't readily recommend this to everyone. If you fancy story more than gameplay, then, by all means, go for it. If you're more of the type that likes being constantly engaged with challenging systems, Spiritfarer probably won’t get its hooks in you. Either way, Thunder Lotus has created a beautiful, thoughtful, and emotional journey that won't soon be forgotten.
  3. Edge Magazine
    Sep 10, 2020
    60
    Spiritfarer loses itself in so much tiresome back-and-forth, ladling on delightful incidental details in the hope that you won't notice that each character's story has become little more than an extended shopping list. [Issue#350, p.96]
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  1. Eurogamer
    Aug 18, 2020
    By marrying metroidvania, management sim and a good dose of kindness, Spiritfarer manages to feel simultaneously familiar and refreshing. [Eurogamer Recommended]
  2. GamesRadar+
    Aug 18, 2020
    While some of its farming, crafting, and resource collecting mechanics feel familiar, Spiritfarer has so much richness and depth, and everything you do feels meaningful and rewarding. Even in-between moments when I'm not playing the game, I catch myself thinking about it and picking apart all of the little details that really make it shine. Gorgeously animated and beautifully brought to life with an enchanting soundtrack, soaking up the sights and sounds of this mystical world is a true joy, and spending my time with the loveable spirits is an experience I won't soon forget.
  3. Polygon
    Aug 18, 2020
    At no point during Spiritfarer did I feel helpless, like there was not something I could do to bring some sort of relief to the spirits on board the ship. It’s a stark contrast to how I’m experiencing the grief of death in real life, but it’s comforting. [Polygon Recommends]
  5. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Aug 18, 2020
    Measured, thought out, detailed, kind. It has intent, from top to bottom. Even the weather feels like it has intent, the cycle of the day and night, the routines you get into. They way your friends leave you, sometimes in ways that will surprise you. Spiritfarer will probably make you very very sad, but it even does that in a kind way. In a way that makes you think about who you have lost, but also what they left behind with you, and the ways you are still close to them. [RPS Bestest Bests]

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best PC Game of 2020
64
#64 Most Discussed PC Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 180 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 138 out of 180
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 180
  3. Negative: 16 out of 180
  1. AsrielDreemur
    Aug 19, 2020
    8
    Spiritfarer is a game where you would help guide spirits to the afterlife and the game itself have a unique art style and a beautifulSpiritfarer is a game where you would help guide spirits to the afterlife and the game itself have a unique art style and a beautiful soundtrack. This game is not meant to be rush and require a huge amount of patience as it is a relaxing game where players are able to enjoy the game's music, story, farming system and also base management.

    The game does a really good job at making me emotionally attached to the characters, the story is gorgeous and how saying good bye to the characters you been spending time have always been a tear-jerker moment for me which is the theme of this game. Overall for an indie game Thunder Lotus have outdid themselves and they deserve all the praise they are getting.    … Full Review »
  2. stardusty
    Aug 20, 2020
    5
    Does not spark joy. While it is beautiful to look at and listen to, it’s riddled with current trends and cliches. This is kind of a game forDoes not spark joy. While it is beautiful to look at and listen to, it’s riddled with current trends and cliches. This is kind of a game for Tumblr kids. Nothing is particularly deep, the characters ramble on, and the player character is obnoxious and of course she has a cat. *eye roll*… Full Review »
  3. Zer0TheHer0
    Aug 24, 2020
    1
    what a letdown. the animation is fantastic but the game is unplayable because the rebinding options are lacking. you can rebind keys exceptwhat a letdown. the animation is fantastic but the game is unplayable because the rebinding options are lacking. you can rebind keys except for one key used to - apparently - play guitar. and that key is "f" which interferes with my movement bindings, so whenever I walk right I end up forcibly stopped and playing guitar over and over

    der thunder lotus, learn to program a user interface.    … Full Review »
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