Spiritfarer

 PC
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

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  1. mmrventricle
    Jan 30, 2021
    7
    While it does a lot of things right (most notably the art), the story in Spiritfarer is just so soul destroying (ironic) that I grew to dislike it.

    Contrary to what the game might like to tell you, the real story of Spiritfarer is: "you are an errand girl". That sums up every character arc in the game. You find the character, sometimes pass a trial for them to deign to board your ship,    While it does a lot of things right (most notably the art), the story in Spiritfarer is just so soul destroying (ironic) that I grew to dislike it.

    Contrary to what the game might like to tell you, the real story of Spiritfarer is: "you are an errand girl". That sums up every character arc in the game. You find the character, sometimes pass a trial for them to deign to board your ship, then you satisfy their every demand, which they have a considerable amount of: feed me, build me a house, furnish my house, fulfill my life's calling for me, etc.. The earlier characters are at least friendly and thankful while you help them, but two of the later ones will just mock how much of a sucker you are while bossing you around (and I don't care that they probably have redemption arcs, I just want to kick them off my ship, preferrably in the middle of the ocean). Then after you've completed their story you send them on their way to the underworld. Which honestly is a pretty emotional affair, I have to admit I was sad for some time after the first character left (the next few were significantly less impactful), but that's not really due to the writing or the story; the art is pulling ALL the punches here.

    And what a beautiful game this is. The drawn art is fine, nothing spectacular, but the particle effects certainly are. When the first eclipse occurred my jaw dropped.

    The game also doesn't sufficiently tell you what you need to do. At first this is a good thing, it's fun to learn new things without being hand held, but at some point you will need certain resources in order to progress. This happened to me twice already: turns out that resource only appears at one location on the entire map, you just have to find it yourself, and until you do you cannot progress further in the story. This also breaks the pacing of the story; I had a favorite character, until his next request is an item that's so far from reach that for hours he only had lines asking for that item (including reminding me of his need whenever I pass by) and I ended up hating that character.

    The more I write, the more I feel like dropping this down to a 6 or even 5. But in the end I decided not to. Any game that can make me play 5 hours in one sitting has done something right, and for Spiritfarer, those are the visuals, the unique setting, and the progression of upgrading the ship.    … Expand
  2. WhiteBear60
    Jan 8, 2021
    10
    The best game I played in 2020 with cool gameplay and a very unexpected ending. I like it.
  3. donegabru
    Jan 3, 2022
    10
    The perfect cozy game! It's so beautiful and it has so many things to do. Really good to just relax and disconnect :)
  4. Sirkuscomedy
    Aug 26, 2020
    9
    Wow. What a game. Spiritfarer is a slow burn game about the afterlife. With its gorgeous animation and fluid controls (Yes, use a controller. Its not bad on keyboard, but an Xbox controller makes it feel perfect) you'll fall in love with any aspect of the game. As a simple warning, this game DOES NOT hold your hand. You will have to explore and think for yourself to progress. However,Wow. What a game. Spiritfarer is a slow burn game about the afterlife. With its gorgeous animation and fluid controls (Yes, use a controller. Its not bad on keyboard, but an Xbox controller makes it feel perfect) you'll fall in love with any aspect of the game. As a simple warning, this game DOES NOT hold your hand. You will have to explore and think for yourself to progress. However, you'll be listening to a stellar soundtrack as you do it. I cannot count how many times I found hours just melting away as I tended to crops, cooking meals or just chatting with the incredible cast of spirits I've found the journey. After playing a large array of games this year, this one just happens to be my favorite of 2020 so far.… Expand
  5. RetroSharky
    Aug 28, 2020
    6
    So after playing through the game, I'm thrilled and disappointed at the same time. The first 10 hours are great, amazing story. But then it quickly fades away, until the story is no longer there. The game builds on a climax, only to let it fall. The first characters are brilliant, the rest are irrelevant.

    The building and gameplay is unfortunately only a time waste. The tinkering exists    So after playing through the game, I'm thrilled and disappointed at the same time. The first 10 hours are great, amazing story. But then it quickly fades away, until the story is no longer there. The game builds on a climax, only to let it fall. The first characters are brilliant, the rest are irrelevant.

    The building and gameplay is unfortunately only a time waste. The tinkering exists only to slow you down. The jump gameplay works, but hardly exist in a meaningful way.

    Conclusion: Not a bad game, but it clearly should have stopped after 10 hours, instead of focusing on quantity. Much wasted potential and fans of stories are more and more disappointed at the end. Wouldn't buy it again or only reduced. Most positive reviews unfortunately didn't play through the game and don't describe how much it is losing on story side. Still not a bad game, but would not buy it again.

    The whole gameplay is pretty boring. The animations and the story are the reason to keep on playing, if the story gets worse and worse in the end the developers have definitely done something wrong. I really wanted to like it, but then it should have been over after 10 hours and at a cheaper price.    … Expand
  6. Mystichydra
    Aug 26, 2020
    9
    It's a damn good game. And dare I say a soul searching, if not even a soul cleaning one. Yes, I realize how cheesy that sounds. But it's affecting and touching approach will seep into you, slowly and unconsciously. You play a girl who basically shepherds and gives refuge to her former friends and family on a ship while they traverse through the afterlife in anthropomorphic animal form.It's a damn good game. And dare I say a soul searching, if not even a soul cleaning one. Yes, I realize how cheesy that sounds. But it's affecting and touching approach will seep into you, slowly and unconsciously. You play a girl who basically shepherds and gives refuge to her former friends and family on a ship while they traverse through the afterlife in anthropomorphic animal form. It's a management/crafting hybrid with platform (and other) elements, and it's surprising how rewarding it is. Given the simple and unchallenging the gameplay.

    Cursing and some minor adult themes aside, there ironically isn't a bone of malice throughout this entire experience of death. Which is typically almost anathema to an endorsement for me. I'm as desensitized as any gamer, and have played my share of f'ed up, brutal survivor horror games or whatever myriads of genres that try to push the envelope. However, the wholesomeness in this game feels earned and genuine, and its authentic tenderness alone make this game a success and unique. And maybe that tenderness is exacerbated by the current state of the world. But god damn it, having a game invoke such considerations and feelings is refreshing.

    Now, the art is beyond fantastic. The closest game it reminded me of visually was actually Torrin's Passage. Basically playing a Don Bluth cartoon against some truly detailed backdrops and landscapes. There wasn't a moment I grew tired of the sameness, even revisiting many places many times. You grow to really care about the characters and their well-being, and they are more helpful than say, the wives in the Harvest Moon series. The animal designs were cool and suited their personalities.

    It's not for everyone however. It's pseudo-niche, and frankly I'm glad it is. Obviously those seeking conventional gameplay with, well, actual risk, should stay away. Same with traditional crafting and management games. It's a true hybrid of genres, and I think it synergizes well. Overall, it's surprisingly immersive, and you will probably find yourself thinking about it when it's over. Highly recommend.    … Expand
  7. bacsitamly
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    The game gave me peaceful moments that i cant have in normal life. I love it
  8. 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 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    Spiritfarer 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.    … Expand
  9. 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 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*
  10. conquerator2
    Aug 21, 2020
    10
    Such a beautiful, unique game. It's hand-drawn visuals combine with a unique story and a casual exploration - management hybrid 2D platformer that beans with charm. It took about half an hour for me to get hooked and I am looking forward to the many hours this hauntingly poignant has left for me.
  11. Deadheadbill
    Aug 20, 2020
    10
    Such a great game. There are no legions of undead to mow down. no min/max stats to be acquired, just beautiful hand-drawn graphics, simple and enjoyable game mechanics and a wonderful story.
  12. Dezziel
    Aug 21, 2020
    9
    So far i love the game. Hearth warming adventure with beautifully written characters.
  13. Skytrap84
    Sep 14, 2020
    10
    Ein wunderschönes, entspannendes Management-Spiel mit einer melancholischen Note. Die Animationen sind einfach fantastisch und allein der Aspekt dass man fast jeden Charakter umarmen kann zaubert ein Lächeln aufs Gesicht. Auch die Welt ist angenehm groß und es gibt immer etwas zu tun. Ich finde kein Haar in der Suppe. Mein Spiel des Jahres!
  14. NBMTX
    Aug 24, 2020
    10
    It's everything I wish Animal Crossing was. It's characters are engaging and oftentimes pretty damn heavy, and although the gameplay is relatively chill, the way in which you progress can actually get pretty tricky. Almost puzzle like. But at the same time, it maintains that feeling of progress that Animal Crossing lacks (by design).
  15. 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 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.
  16. honest_rev7
    Sep 24, 2020
    1
    Oh no bruv!

    Spiritfarer is soulless bilge posing to be "wholesome" or "spiritual". Unlikable characters. For a relaxed game, controls feel so janky, too. Characters are so obnoxious. They all seem to be happy about their odd lives, even though there's nothing human (they look like animals i kno) about them. This is one of those games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons where it's    Oh no bruv!

    Spiritfarer is soulless bilge posing to be "wholesome" or "spiritual". Unlikable characters. For a relaxed game, controls feel so janky, too. Characters are so obnoxious. They all seem to be happy about their odd lives, even though there's nothing human (they look like animals i kno) about them.

    This is one of those games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons where it's taboo to state out how the game actually made you feel sick.

    This made game made me feel sick.    … Expand
  17. TitaniumDragon
    Jan 24, 2021
    8
    Spiritfarer is a cheerful and simultaneously melancholic game. If I was going to compare it to something, it would be Animal Crossing with a plot. The game consists pretty much entirely of doing fetchquests and minigames for people, and yet, there’s definitely a fair bit of charm to it.

    You play as Stella and Daffodil, the newly minted Spiritfarers. You are a psychopomp – someone who    Spiritfarer is a cheerful and simultaneously melancholic game. If I was going to compare it to something, it would be Animal Crossing with a plot. The game consists pretty much entirely of doing fetchquests and minigames for people, and yet, there’s definitely a fair bit of charm to it.

    You play as Stella and Daffodil, the newly minted Spiritfarers. You are a psychopomp – someone who collects the spirits of the dead and helps them to move on. You have a big boat that you upgrade over the course of the game, building structures on it to help make your spirits comfortable and gather materials and craft to further your quest. But as quickly becomes clear, the spirits you are collecting are not random, but are instead people with a connection in some way to Stella – some more obviously than others.

    Sadly, this is a game that is both quite good in some ways, and really repetitive in others. You go around the world, exploring and doing some 2D platforming, even unlocking some new abilities Metroidvania style that allow you to access new areas, both in terms of your ship accessing new areas and your 2D platforming segments gaining new abilities.

    Your goal is to find new spirits, then recruit them onto your ship, doing various tasks for them and getting them to open up so that they are willing to pass on. Some of these spirits have rather touching stories, though some are kind of jerks and don’t really leave as much of an impact – particularly a few of the later spirits, who are mostly not as strong as the first half of spirits you get. That said, this is a game that can make you cry, as some of the characters do touch you, and you end up having to say goodbye.

    The fact that there’s a dedicated hug button – which you are going to use quite a bit – probably helps, as it shows actual affection between the characters.

    The problem is, 90% of the game takes the form of a combination of fetchquests, FedEx quests, farming materials to craft, and crafting said materials. You make food to feed your guests to keep them happy, meaning your oven is often running, and you constantly are growing plants, watering them, shearing sheep, milking cows, fishing off the back of your boat, and engaging in other repetitive busywork while you’re scurrying around the world.

    There are two places that the gameplay really tries to engage the player. One of those is building your boat – you gain the ability to construct various compartments and housing over the course of the game, and arranging these on your ship can be kind of fun. Sometimes, their arrangement ends up mattering in sometimes surprising ways for some of the quests in the story, though mostly it is just cosmetic and about ease of access.

    The other thing that is kind of neat is the minigames. These involve going to various areas on the map and doing various tasks at the behest of the spirits you have, be it catching jellyfish, deliberately getting struck by lightning bolts, collecting comets, or other, even more surprising tasks. These are all wonderfully surreal, but they suffer a bit from the fact that you end up doing a number of them a number of times, resulting in them becoming a bit old hat. Ironically, the last two characters to give you minigames do a much better job of integrating them into their story, resulting in them feeling more meaningful, even if they’re no less repetitive than the other characters’ minigames.

    Ultimately, this game ends up both shining and suffering because of what it is. It is a story-based game where the story is broken up by gameplay segments, but when you aren’t exploring new areas, and are instead going around farming stuff to craft stuff for various characters, the game feels much less exciting. While there’s usually something going on every hour you’re playing the game, it takes about 35-40 hours to 100% it, which is too long. Moreover, many of the tasks you end up spending a lot of time doing just don’t feel like they’re ultimately worth it.

    But the thing is, when characters work, they *really* work. There’s an elderly hedgehog in the game that the player ends up helping out, and the things you do for them, while not particularly interesting gameplay wise, end up building the player’s connection with them. There are various characters who reveal little bits and pieces of themselves to the player, and you may well end up crying at a few points in this game.

    This game is one of those story-based games. It is not an action game, and if you are expecting action, you’ll be largely disappointed. It does have some actual gameplay in it, but more along the lines of Animal Crossing, and there’s a fair bit of repetitive grinding for crafting materials involved here, along with some “build your own town” vibes with building your ship and its buildings. But it does a good job of emotionally connecting with the player.    … Expand
  18. Leo_Manzano
    Mar 4, 2023
    5
    Working.....................................................................
  19. chamonalice
    Oct 6, 2020
    10
    Perfect. Absolutely adorable, I loved it so much. The character, the goodbyes...
  20. crayonthief
    Aug 28, 2020
    2
    It's beautiful, but that's about it. Your first 30 minutes consists of jumping around a few times, tapping through about 200 prompts of pretty meh dialogue, clicking 3 buttons to build a house on your boat, and then jumping into sparkles with no danger, no stakes at all.

    Where is the game?
  21. Trooop
    Nov 2, 2020
    0
    Spiritfarer is one of this games that your are surprised if you play time enough. Under a simple, almost childish presentation, is hidden a deep story, with defying puzzles, crafting, relationship building, friendships development.
    The game has so much to do, that you could put it side-by-side with any Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley but it's much more fresh in a way that    Spiritfarer is one of this games that your are surprised if you play time enough. Under a simple, almost childish presentation, is hidden a deep story, with defying puzzles, crafting, relationship building, friendships development.
    The game has so much to do, that you could put it side-by-side with any Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon or Stardew Valley but it's much more fresh in a way that is hard to find the right category for it. A mix between life simulation, relationship building, strategy, rpg crafting, platformer, action. But at the end instead of a big blob of nothing you are served with a great gaming experience.
    Spiritfarer is one of this rare games that leaves you empty once you finish, just like only a good book can do.    … Expand
  22. ElderGoz
    Dec 7, 2020
    9
    The game is very good but not for every individual. Personally this game contains a very rich story as well as giving me motivation.

    Spirit farer (plus)= rich story, not too complicate not too thin fellow, easy to understand

    (cons)= if you stop playing the game for a while you then might never play it again.
  23. unfhunt
    Dec 13, 2020
    10
    This game is really beautiful, kind, and touching. You definitely should try to play it. Masterpiece.
  24. Underpants158
    Feb 18, 2021
    7
    I had a lot of fun crafting, improving my ship, and talking to the characters for the first 10 hours or so. The send offs however didn't hit as hard as I would have hoped and the the tedium got to be a little grating. Still a fun game. Especially while listening to podcasts. Would recommend if you like Stardew/Animal crossing gameplay and slightly sad stories.
  25. RMDsilva
    Jun 5, 2023
    8
    Cute game, fun mechanics for a few hours, lots to balance out if you're seeking to optimize your time as well as figure out how things work.
    Simple enough and the story is interesting enough to pull you to the end. Gets a bit repetitive after 10h and the story doesn't get too deep, however.
  26. Tomle1202
    Jun 18, 2022
    7
    All Spiritfarer's drawbacks became less noticeable every time I escorted a passenger to the end of their journey.
  27. bladex
    Sep 6, 2021
    9
    I was a bit skeptical playing this because I don't really like these games where there is no combat or danger involved but the reviews seemed pretty good so I decided to give it a go.

    The first thing I noticed was the hauntingly beautiful music It reminded me exactly of spirited away it even had the same pitch and rhythm especially the nighttime music is it the same composer? Anyway you    I was a bit skeptical playing this because I don't really like these games where there is no combat or danger involved but the reviews seemed pretty good so I decided to give it a go.

    The first thing I noticed was the hauntingly beautiful music It reminded me exactly of spirited away it even had the same pitch and rhythm especially the nighttime music is it the same composer? Anyway you are a young girl named stella who is tasked to ferrying the spirits to the afterlife you replace charon at the start of the game. you get a boat and start building houses and facilities for the spirits you pick up in the world.

    Later on you learn that each spirit has a connection with stella herself I won't spoil what it is.

    You can cook, farm, craft all the usual things you can do in these sims Most of the stuff you do is to feed and enhance each spirits needed to make them more comfortable with houses and upgrades.

    First of all the first spirit you pick up is gwen stellas best friend when she was alive she gives you a basic tutorial on what to do and where to go but after that you are completely on your own. You have a huge ocean to explore.

    There is no hand holding in this the game forces you to explore and seek out the materials you need to make upgrades and other spirits houses there is no help whatsoever on where to get them you have chart a course and go out and seek them on your own.

    That means heading to every island you discover and running around every area finding and looking for stuff you can harvest and also more spirits to invite onboard.

    Some spirits won't come on until you do little tasks and quests for them and most involve getting materials again you don't have so if you hate exploring and finding things on your own you won't like this game BUT I LOVED IT. There are some areas of the map you won't reach at first without boat upgrades and it's entirely up to you to find out where these materials are to get these upgrades and you will need some help from some of the spirits on the way. So don't be afraid to wander into strange lightning clouds or other spooky areas on the ocean you will need to go there.

    Eventually the spirits decide to let go and you have to take them to the everdoor where they can pass on. Now this is where things get a little complicated especially if you have suffered a loss like I have you start to feel for the spirits and care about their past lives and start to even think about yours and the ones you've lost this hit me pretty hard in this game I won't deny it.

    Once a spirit goes through the everdoor this tune plays and it got me every time this mesmerizing tune playing and I ended up saying at the end for real out loud goodbye spirits name!

    I should have stopped playing it halfway through but what really keeps you interested is the story itself it gives you little hints an the beginning to what is really going on and you have to keep playing to know what that is you just have to keep going you must find out what it is. And when you finally do in the end it will amaze you I won't spoil it. I advise avoiding an WIKI pages too they will spoil it straight out for you.

    So to wrap things up if you suffered a loss just be warned this game is going to get to you at some point. Especially if you've lost someone with similar means as some of the spirits did which I have. Otherwise the game is an enchanting journey with amazing music, wonderful stories and great gameplay. Also there is a lot of back tracking.    … Expand
  28. Dubeau
    Sep 19, 2020
    8
    Spiritfarer is a relaxing game. The story is really vivid, and sometimes brings tears into your eyes. The graphics are superb and made entirely in 2d. Magnified with some great effects. The game itself doesn't consist in combats and such. It's a series of tasks that required collecting, making stuff and some micro managements. Some of those are fun like cooking, some are painful and dull,Spiritfarer is a relaxing game. The story is really vivid, and sometimes brings tears into your eyes. The graphics are superb and made entirely in 2d. Magnified with some great effects. The game itself doesn't consist in combats and such. It's a series of tasks that required collecting, making stuff and some micro managements. Some of those are fun like cooking, some are painful and dull, like smiting. There is a lot of backtracking. And I mean a lot of a lot. At half the story, you get so many spirits to manage that it mess up what you have to do. A clearer and progressive path to each spirits would have been better. I give the game 82%. I love the story. The game isn't perfect but the story make up for it.… Expand
  29. gabrielsrc
    Aug 30, 2022
    6
    Spiritfarer is a beautiful game, but it gets away with many flaws and shortcomings because of the exquisit art style.

    Least of all, graphics don't scale up well in 4K. Platforming is lame and with very questionable collision detection. Minigames get repetitive quick and progress is much slower than with Stardew Valley and similar games. Also, most of the exploration areas felt very    Spiritfarer is a beautiful game, but it gets away with many flaws and shortcomings because of the exquisit art style.

    Least of all, graphics don't scale up well in 4K. Platforming is lame and with very questionable collision detection. Minigames get repetitive quick and progress is much slower than with Stardew Valley and similar games. Also, most of the exploration areas felt very empty, with just some tree you had to cut down.

    I was carrying on for the story, but the only likable character in my ship left and I was left with a detestable cast.

    It might be for you if you're into artsy and cutesy games enough to overlook bland gameplay.    … Expand
  30. ZeGamerBoy
    Dec 14, 2020
    9
    When I bought Spiritfarer, I knew next to nothing of what the game was other than it was gorgeous to look at and that I was most likely going to helm a ferry taking souls to the afterlife. And I was right, in the simplest fashion imaginable, but there is so much more to this emotional romp across wondrous water than that.
    It forces you to face aspects of death and loss head on and    When I bought Spiritfarer, I knew next to nothing of what the game was other than it was gorgeous to look at and that I was most likely going to helm a ferry taking souls to the afterlife. And I was right, in the simplest fashion imaginable, but there is so much more to this emotional romp across wondrous water than that.
    It forces you to face aspects of death and loss head on and successfully rips your soul out in the process. The stories told, relationships formed, and memories made while roaming the waves are incredibly palpable and real. These aren't just NPC's. These are your friends, family, and companions going on an adventure of wonder across an uncharted ocean full of miracles and mysteries.
    But you know that with each task accomplished, preparation of their favorite meal, each laugh belted in conversation, that in the end, these comrades will have to be taken the Everdoor and, eventually, pass on. Even though we knew this going in, it didn't make the pain sting any less, the lump in our throat subside, or the stream of tears to run dry. With each passing I mourned the loss of a friend and the fact that a game can instill that sense of loss for a hand-drawn animalistic avatar whom I've known but only a few mere hours is a testament to the love and effort that was poured into this game to replicate that feeling of loss.
    But, although you mourn, its emphasized you should cherish the memories and events shared throughout your journey. Each death was a spectacle of acceptance, showing the characters the ability to move on and accept the fact that their death was inevitable. People die, but it's what we do in that time before death that really makes an imprint on how we're seen.
    I loved Spiritfarer. I was one of my favorite games of 2020 and, honestly, one of the best and one of the most impactful games that I have ever played. It is monotonous and at times tedious, but for the majority of my time playing this didn't matter because each bond that I had formed aboard my vessel was a treat and I felt a sense of accomplishment helping them feel more comfortable and prepared for what awaited at their passing. Its a game that should be experienced.

    Rating: 8.75/10    … Expand
  31. hknyrbkn
    May 8, 2021
    8
    Navigating the sea with spirits to be delivered... I only wish there were more dialogue options before letting them go.
  32. carrysh1ft
    Sep 7, 2020
    8
    A very meditative and immersive game, with an interesting idea, but quickly boring gameplay
  33. ZoroGust
    Dec 7, 2021
    10
    One of the most emotional games I've ever played... I cried a lot with the ending... My first game with 100% of the achievements here on Steam and it wasn't for nothing, after all, this game is very delicious and was an escape from the troubled moment that we live... I highly recommend it to anyone who still has doubts about whether to buy or not... He deals with complicated issues with aOne of the most emotional games I've ever played... I cried a lot with the ending... My first game with 100% of the achievements here on Steam and it wasn't for nothing, after all, this game is very delicious and was an escape from the troubled moment that we live... I highly recommend it to anyone who still has doubts about whether to buy or not... He deals with complicated issues with a sensitivity and beauty that only playing to understand... Game without conflicts and with an idea of caring for others and cooperation totally different from the majority...… Expand
  34. Bloodnes
    Nov 10, 2020
    5
    Игра на любителя, дальше охоты на медуз не пошла, сидеть и часами выискивать нужный предмет из рыбалки, не моё. Графика приятная, история не о чем, геймплей уверен надоест быстро. 5/10
  35. Sarahphim
    Nov 2, 2020
    6
    A good game on the cusp of being great. Gorgeous art and compelling characters are bogged down with confusing progression and an uncomfortable feeling that you are messing something up.

    It's easy to waste days and weeks in game not being able to progress because you haven't completed a not yet found ore-requiste mission yet.
  36. Prometheus1241
    Feb 3, 2021
    9
    One of the best games of 2020, totally worth a try, especially if you like meditative gameplay.
  37. Draqun
    Jan 9, 2023
    0
    I started playing the game on Android. Sadly there is bug which does not allow continue the game. I've reported bug to the Netflix (which is responsible for Android version) and feel ignored.
  38. GandalfCzarny
    Sep 29, 2020
    8
    Yeah it's kinda grindy, and pacing could drag on, but you I can't refuse, that developers gave this game all their hearts and spirit. I'm really happy that I played this game, but I just don't feel that I'm gonna back to this game anymore. Still a great, heartwarming adventure that anyone should checkout
  39. Niamhee56
    Jun 21, 2021
    10
    This game is absolutely beautiful, I am highly addicted to every single aspect of this game but the music really adds to the whole experience ❤️ the game brings me up and reduces me to tears at the same time while also allowing me to reflect on my own life and the meaning of even the smallest of things and the importance of relationships and the overall fragility of life
  40. Crisener
    Jan 29, 2021
    8
    Don't expect this game to make you cry and feel for every character in the story, and you might enjoy it even more. I has been advertised as a game about learning how to say goodbye, but the thing was, I had no problem with letting go of any of the characters. Letting go of the people you've grown to love is a complicated process, which is hard to get into, when the game doesn't let you goDon't expect this game to make you cry and feel for every character in the story, and you might enjoy it even more. I has been advertised as a game about learning how to say goodbye, but the thing was, I had no problem with letting go of any of the characters. Letting go of the people you've grown to love is a complicated process, which is hard to get into, when the game doesn't let you go through any of the steps, like for example, whether you want to keep their room as a commemorative keepsake, or get rid of it with a heavy heart, so other spirits have more space for their needs (though I appreciate the game's effort to presenting death without too much pathos).
    What instead appeared to me, is how I actually liked being the spiritfarer, as it was a truly relaxing job. Caring for plants, knitting materials, cooking food, making people happy with hugs. The game's a mixture of various things, there was plenty to do, so it was an entertaining, yet breathe-easy experience. For some time, after a stressful day, Spiritfarer was my go-to when I needed some escape. And I would suggest to treat it as such - a good escapism game.

    + escapism from daily struggles
    + looks and sounds great
    + managing the boat is quite fun
    + touching and poetic ending

    - coming to terms with death has much more potential than this game is showing
    - I couldn't really bond with the characters, their story-telling wasn't that interesting    … Expand
  41. johnwu331
    Aug 29, 2020
    10
    This game held a mirror up to me in the way I deal with death.

    A spirit tells me she has to go, that it's time to go to the Everdoor. Instead of sitting with how it makes me feel, I tend to vegetables, cook meals, build structures etc. It reminded me of the week I had to put my dog to sleep. At first, I didn't want to face it so I started doing more errands. Then I realized that I had    This game held a mirror up to me in the way I deal with death.

    A spirit tells me she has to go, that it's time to go to the Everdoor. Instead of sitting with how it makes me feel, I tend to vegetables, cook meals, build structures etc. It reminded me of the week I had to put my dog to sleep. At first, I didn't want to face it so I started doing more errands. Then I realized that I had to be there for my dog in his final days, and that it wasn't about me, it was about his comfort before I decide to let him go.

    It's funny how my tendency of pushing uncomfortable feelings deeper inside me in the face of tragedy and away from vulnerability translates so well in the way I played Spiritfarer. By the end, I had forced myself to stop fast traveling so much. Instead I would take a long route to the Everdoor and try to spend more time with the spirits and not get too caught up with the sim aspect of the game. It's probably the first game in a long time where I felt present , made the spirit their favorite food before their trip home, hugging them. Reminded me of giving my dog his last walk in the park, giving him his favorite food, and of course...hugging him.

    I'm thankful for what this game has revealed to me. It was hard for me to accept but I needed to see it.    … Expand
  42. lessacebola
    May 3, 2022
    9
    O jogo é muito emocionante, cada personagem tem seu backstory e todos eles são interessantes e bem construídos. O único problema é que as vezes o jogo é lento e a história demora para progredir.
  43. ShankABat
    Sep 1, 2020
    10
    This is a relatively slow game, most comparable to stardew valley and animal crossing. however, I believe this game does it so much better. It's definitely a more adult game but not for the reasons of gore/sexual content like others are. It really makes you think about those important in your life as each spirit is (I think to be) like someone you know. From your grandmother and teacher toThis is a relatively slow game, most comparable to stardew valley and animal crossing. however, I believe this game does it so much better. It's definitely a more adult game but not for the reasons of gore/sexual content like others are. It really makes you think about those important in your life as each spirit is (I think to be) like someone you know. From your grandmother and teacher to a little kid who can't do anything right, this game captures many types of people. And definitely, as the language was not intended for kids, the at times offensive comments that are named are a nice change and make it feel more relatable… Expand
  44. apokalipto
    Aug 18, 2023
    9
    Very good game. I enjoyed playing this game a lot. I strongly recommend this.
  45. Goldacre
    Dec 9, 2020
    5
    Spiritfarer is a beautiful game with incredible hand-drawn visuals and music as you casually explore and manage your ship. The spirits in the game are very well written characters that you grow attached to and can generally feel heartbreaking when they have to go. However, unfortunately in the latter half of the game, the cozy chill management gameplay starts to feel like a grind as everySpiritfarer is a beautiful game with incredible hand-drawn visuals and music as you casually explore and manage your ship. The spirits in the game are very well written characters that you grow attached to and can generally feel heartbreaking when they have to go. However, unfortunately in the latter half of the game, the cozy chill management gameplay starts to feel like a grind as every task comes equipped with a prolonged animation making every fetch quest feel like a drawn-out chore. Most of the spirits in the late game are also not particularly likable and kind of makes you hope they would just hurry up and accept death.… Expand
  46. CassRabbit
    Feb 5, 2021
    9
    This game is extremely beautiful and addictive. I loved it from start to finish and its one of the 3 games that made me cry. Though, it was a good cry, a very happy one. I got attached to many of the characters and love all of their little quirks (accept for one). The crafting system was something I had never experienced before, so am now on the hunt for games with a similar craftingThis game is extremely beautiful and addictive. I loved it from start to finish and its one of the 3 games that made me cry. Though, it was a good cry, a very happy one. I got attached to many of the characters and love all of their little quirks (accept for one). The crafting system was something I had never experienced before, so am now on the hunt for games with a similar crafting system. I'd give this game a 10/10 but there where just a few glitches in the textures and the jumping at the beginning was a but stiff (but that may be because I had just finished a long playing session of hollow knight).… Expand
  47. alivemau5
    Mar 27, 2021
    8
    relaxing game to just casually enjoy and wind down. it does things at its own pace, but if you don't expect much from it, its an enjoyable experience.
  48. Cdv3
    Aug 8, 2021
    10
    Easily one of my favorite games of all time, Spiritfarer has by far one of the most emotional stories I’ve ever seen. Every single character is well-written and interesting and the game even successfully manages to explore complex themes that can be risky to approach without feeling pretentious. If you look for it, you can find deeper meanings to characters and events, but if you don’tEasily one of my favorite games of all time, Spiritfarer has by far one of the most emotional stories I’ve ever seen. Every single character is well-written and interesting and the game even successfully manages to explore complex themes that can be risky to approach without feeling pretentious. If you look for it, you can find deeper meanings to characters and events, but if you don’t want to, they stand on their own.

    There are dark themes throughout the game, especially with the overarching theme of death, but Spiritfarer takes these ideas that are inherently miserable, and yet makes them more approachable.

    This game does have a slow start and an intentionally repetitive structure that may turn some away, however if it is something that you can overlook, there is nothing quite like this game. I originally gave this game a 9 when the Lilly Update was the newest version, but after several updates that added new characters, bug fixes, and quality-of-life improvements, this game has proven to be worth a 10/10 without question, and my overall favorite game.    … Expand
  49. annaKpuerta
    Oct 25, 2021
    10
    Genuinely beautiful game. The game play is excellent and the story is even better.
  50. hardkot
    Feb 8, 2022
    10
    Masterpiece

    I don't expect anything unusual from this game, just because I've seen some reviews and the only verdict was - just play it by yourself and make your opinion. Well I think that describes what you should do very well) Visual (10/10): I'm a big fan of 2D graphics and it's really fantastic here. Great colorful scenes with day-night changes, big smooth world and great art for    Masterpiece

    I don't expect anything unusual from this game, just because I've seen some reviews and the only verdict was - just play it by yourself and make your opinion. Well I think that describes what you should do very well)

    Visual (10/10): I'm a big fan of 2D graphics and it's really fantastic here. Great colorful scenes with day-night changes, big smooth world and great art for heroes. I also like the fact how on scenes were combined different colors, so its not one big spot of rainbow, my eyes were relaxing while watching the graphics, thank you designers!

    Gameplay (9/10): Immersive gameplay - that's the only thing you need to know about this game. You have a ship and as a captain need to support your ship and the crew) so build, plant, cook, play, finish quests and you can do it freely. I like how the gameplay was designed because I don't like when the game becomes work. Here it's rather big sandbox and it's really cool. I've played something like 50 hours with dls's and still enjoy it. What I don't like - some mini games, I think that unique resources should be exhanged one for another at least at the end game. Because I don't like for example mini games with star fall, but have other unique resources and want to exchange this resources.

    Story (9/10): I really like the theme that was picked for the main plot it's really important and I think this game is kind of a therapy for peoples feeling. I can say that I don't like all characters story, some of them are seems not to touch me and I was a bit bored, but I understand how they should work and why they are important here.

    Great game for everyone, especially for teen gamers because I think it's not too much games nowadays that can have great gameplay and speak on such deep themes    … Expand
  51. ShimizuShen88
    May 22, 2022
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was one of the most emotional game (in a good way) I've ever played. Whole game I was thinking I'm helping other spirits to move on, but in reality they were helping me to move on. The story hits so hard. I still tear up at listing the credits song. Atul's ending and final ending just literally broke me. Thank you Thunder Lotus for such an incredible experience. Love every moment of it.… Expand
  52. stupidopinion
    Jul 10, 2022
    7
    In some ways this game feels incomplete. It has a lack of polish, (even if it does look pretty), where animations don't fit together fluidly and npcs will get stuck, or in rare cases even phase through the ground. There is an aspect of padding, animations take an unnecessary amount of time and can't be sped up. You'll oftentimes find yourself uncomfortably waiting for the next event toIn some ways this game feels incomplete. It has a lack of polish, (even if it does look pretty), where animations don't fit together fluidly and npcs will get stuck, or in rare cases even phase through the ground. There is an aspect of padding, animations take an unnecessary amount of time and can't be sped up. You'll oftentimes find yourself uncomfortably waiting for the next event to occur. There is a distinct lack of automation for repetitive mundane tasks on the boat, so you manually supply yourself with resources using the exact same methods you used 30 hours ago with little variation. Finally, there is a distinct lack of text-skipping options, so you'll find yourself talking to random npcs who rattle on and on quite often. All these negative aspects make it sound like I dislike this game, but despite its flaws I would still definitely recommend it. Amassing a little town of animal spirits on your boat is really a delightful experience, and listening to their stories and how they tie into a broader narrative of the nature of moving on, both in a literal and metaphorical sense, is quite fascinating. The characters are memorable and the story is well put together, being the main reason for my recommendation. The story itself is certainly predictable, but it's worth seeing to the end just for its execution. The game is still definitely too long though, should have been 30 hours tops. (The game took me 52 hours get 100%)… Expand
  53. aesirus96
    Aug 15, 2023
    8
    até depois da morte tem que trabalhar. o proletariado não tem um segundo de paz

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. CD-Action
    Nov 16, 2020
    90
    With the way it combines genres, Spiritfarer simply shouldn’t work – and yet it works perfectly! It offers a varied and engaging gameplay, introduces you to fleshed-out characters, sounds and looks really good, and has plenty of content. While the story of a girl who takes up Charon’s duties of carrying souls into the afterlife tackles death without needless pathos and affirms life, it does not lack touching moments. [11/2020, p.66]
  2. 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.
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  3. Hey Poor Player
    Oct 29, 2020
    80
    Spiritfarer has the body of a seafaring exploration game, the mind of a management sim, and the soul of an emotional journey depicting love, loss, and grief. With gorgeous visuals and a soundtrack to match, Spiritfarer is pleasing to the senses while providing a core loop that’s easy to get lost in. If you like crafting and crying, take a voyage with Spiritfarer, with fair warning to the completionists that this journey may cause more suffering than intended. For smooth sailing, be sure to choose the Switch version of Spiritfarer over anything with achievements enabled. Regardless of the conduit, you should absolutely play this cozy management sim about dying — just be sure to keep the tissues nearby.
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