Spiritfarer

 PlayStation 4
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 74
  3. Negative: 8 out of 74

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  1. skogsgurka
    Nov 19, 2020
    6
    If you like:
    Reading, metaphors, mobile farming games, and Studio Ghibli, this is definitely for you.
    It's probably even a home run if it manages to get to you emotionally, but I'm ashamed to admit I started clicking through most of the (well written!) dialogue, because it was just too tedious to read. Instead of getting emotional about the characters, my focus was on the addictive    If you like:
    Reading, metaphors, mobile farming games, and Studio Ghibli, this is definitely for you.
    It's probably even a home run if it manages to get to you emotionally, but I'm ashamed to admit I started clicking through most of the (well written!) dialogue, because it was just too tedious to read. Instead of getting emotional about the characters, my focus was on the addictive farming and upgrading that the game constantly pushed me into. And there was a lot of waiting! Waiting for animations to finish, for my character to sleep, for processes to complete, for characters stories to conclude.

    The art style is obviously super pretty, but I feel like it is exactly that; "obviously pretty". Having a dedicated "hug-button" on your controller says it all.

    At times, the game did a phenomenal job making me analyze metaphors, and I did enjoy that. And it's a certainly a cool take on the river Styx. And it's certainly a cozy video game. And I certainly was addicted to it. My greatest issue was feeling frustrated and stressed, when I wanted to be contemplative.    … Expand
  2. sityoazzdown
    Dec 27, 2020
    7
    It's an ok game. I was bored and addicted at the same time, while also semi-intrigued at stella's journey. It's basically a more fleshed out farmville/cityville with some light exploration and metroidvania elements. The stories you had on your journey were ok, but it's not memorable as some review outlets would had you believe. Anyone who enjoyed cityville/farmville, and got hooked on itIt's an ok game. I was bored and addicted at the same time, while also semi-intrigued at stella's journey. It's basically a more fleshed out farmville/cityville with some light exploration and metroidvania elements. The stories you had on your journey were ok, but it's not memorable as some review outlets would had you believe. Anyone who enjoyed cityville/farmville, and got hooked on it like some drugs, this game probably would do the same. You get addicted to the grind to see what would happen next when you finish. However, a lot of the game feels like filler. The rewards and side-quests (or to be more specific.. extra grinding?) turned out to be non-essesntial, and I wished I didn't do as much extracuricular activites. The term as wide as an ocean, but deep as a puddle sometimes rears it's ugly head in this game. The best example would be the humongous things you can cook, but realize you can literally feed hungry occupants berries and alterante between them, all set.

    It's. Ok.    … Expand
  3. Fyxhcl
    Jan 9, 2023
    7
    Spiritfarer is a pretty game about managing a ship and exploring an otherworldy world.

    During your travels, you'll collect resources, expand your ship and welcome passengers into your boat. They will give you tasks and by helping them you'll progress into the story. The game plays like a 2D platformer and your time will be divided between your ship, whose design depends on how you    Spiritfarer is a pretty game about managing a ship and exploring an otherworldy world.

    During your travels, you'll collect resources, expand your ship and welcome passengers into your boat. They will give you tasks and by helping them you'll progress into the story. The game plays like a 2D platformer and your time will be divided between your ship, whose design depends on how you placed the buildings, and exploring the various islands that populate the archipelago map. The platforming and action parts are pretty easy (you cannot fail) and the biggest challenge is given by the exploration.

    The first part of the game is the strongest, with the novelty of exploring the sea and gathering new resources, building new things on your boat and greeting new passengers. After midgame, this formula becomes a bit stale, and you keep repeating the same tasks over and over in order to advance the story a bit, but you never get anything really "new". All the things that you unlock in the late game, are basically just more advanced versions of what you had since that point. At this point, all the gathering of resources and traveling from island to island becomes a chore in order to build everything you need and progress.

    The game plot is about being the new Charon, ferrying souls from this world to the next one. All your passengers will be anthropomorphic animals, but they were real people before dying, and during the time they spend on your ship you'll learn about their stories, and their reflections on life based on their experience. This has been the least interesting part of the game for me, since many times the dialogs were just very slow and boring, and I didn't find any interest about these people lifes.

    In summary, Spiritfarer is a nice game, very relaxing to play and fun for most of the time, that will become repetitive after a while. But if you like its formula, it will grant you several hours of fun.    … Expand
  4. cipesi
    Nov 26, 2021
    7
    Enjoyable, but crashes a lot and you lose progress often because of it. Plenty of nice tasks, fun for hours. Likeable characters.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Best PS4 Game of 2020
87
#87 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Pure Playstation
    Aug 4, 2021
    80
    Spiritfarer offers calm and serene gameplay while dealing with some heavy subject matter that will surely poke at your emotions. The mini-games are a fun distraction and being able to dish out hugs whenever you feel they are needed helps make this journey a very personal one. Don’t forget your tissues…
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  2. GameSpew
    Aug 3, 2021
    90
    Gorgeous, emotional and heartwarming from start to finish, playing Spiritfarer is like sinking into a nice, cosy duvet. It envelops you, and you won’t want to leave. Its slow and steady pace won’t be for everyone, but for those who want a beautiful game to unwind with, it doesn’t get much better than this.
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  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Sep 18, 2020
    80
    With a focus on care and comfort, this is textbook cosy gaming. Its world of spirits is one you’ll want to get lost in and there’s unlikely to be a single guest you won’t be endeared to by journey’s end. Set sail under a snuggly blanket as the nights begin to pick up a chill, and let your heart be warmed. [Issue#180, p.74]
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