Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. RPG Site
    Jan 4, 2021
    70
    Despite some early mistrust due to the game’s agricultural aspects, I ended up enjoying my time with Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin — at least the first two-thirds of it. It wasn’t breaking any new ground gameplay-wise, with combat that was just enjoyable enough to make up for its repetitive nature. The narrative was decent, though those looking for a deep storytelling may dislike the aimless self-motivation the game requires of its players. The farming aspects are so simply integrated that they only added to the overall experience, never detracted. What did take away from my enjoyment in the end, however, was the sudden and severe prolonging of the game, just when the credit roll started to feel inevitable. It’s a solid and certainly unique game that can be quite enjoyable when approached with the right expectations.
  2. GameOver.gr
    Dec 4, 2020
    70
    Sakuna of Rice and Ruin narrates a wonderful fairytale of Japanese mythology, which is unfortunately plagued by pacing problems that arise from the intense repetition of exploration.
  3. Everyeye.it
    Nov 20, 2020
    70
    An experiment that ultimately presents itself as solid overall, but which perhaps would have best expressed its potential in a more contained format.
  5. Finger Guns
    Nov 9, 2020
    70
    Some accomplished character work and a narrative full of heart, sits next to a deep and detailed rice-farming mechanic that will have you sinking hours in trying to get the perfect crop. However, fiddly combat and shallow platforming take their toll. If you’re anything like me, you’ll get lost in the farming, and let the other parts lie fallow.
  6. Push Square
    Nov 9, 2020
    70
    In the evenings you can spend time with your new human family to chat and eat a meal using the food that you’ve gathered and grown yourself. Watching Sakuna slowly mature and start to care about more than just herself is a truly heart-warming journey. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is an absolutely wonderful blend of farming simulator and action RPG. Whether you’re fighting off hordes of demons or trying to find the best way to manage your crop, there is constantly something new to learn and discover in this charmingly unique adventure.
  7. 4P.de
    Nov 23, 2020
    61
    When it comes to farming and ist various phases, Sakuna shows off some good ideas, but these are thwarted by monotonous fights and clumsy micro management.

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best PS4 Game of 2020

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 44
  3. Negative: 9 out of 44
  1. gamer664
    May 22, 2023
    2
    game is very grindy, it forces you to replay the same dungeon over and over again. You cannot exit out of the map view, so you are forced togame is very grindy, it forces you to replay the same dungeon over and over again. You cannot exit out of the map view, so you are forced to fast travel anytime you open the map view. The story is good, but not all dialogs are voiced, so it kind of sucks to follow the story sometimes. The combat is fun but it gets repetitive fast.… Full Review »
  2. TheRuntal
    Apr 5, 2021
    4
    While I do like the concept and farming part of the entire game, the controls and really clunky combat just ruin the experience for me.
    The    While I do like the concept and farming part of the entire game, the controls and really clunky combat just ruin the experience for me.
    The story is very "meh", it portrays the usual "Friends and Family are most important" and "Hard work is his own reward" kind of spiel.
    The charactars are endearing but overall boring.
    I really wanted to like this game but the day/night mechanic (Monsters get super strong suddenly, meaning you can't beat a boar at 10% HP if that happens), the horrible combat controls (no double jump and no dodge, instead you have a "Rayment" that can attach to things but can bug out every now and then and it's sometimes not well telelgraphed to what it can attach) the really slow pace (Your strength and some story progress is bound to growing your rice, so if you explore faster, you need to just sit there and wait a bunch until your rice is ready) just break it for me.

    The concept is great but the execution is just plain bad.    … Full Review »
  3. akak
    Nov 17, 2020
    10
    Most undervalued farm simulation game!

    You definitely need to try this game

    I did it for 6 hours Without knowing the time is passing
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