Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

 Switch
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 74
  3. Negative: 8 out of 74
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  1. 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
  2. TheComfyCactus
    Nov 16, 2020
    8
    For starters, Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin is a very well rounded RPG. This game is uniquely portrayed as a side-scrolling platformer and a farming simulator. While a side-scroller at heart Sakuna has a little something for everybody. It's visually appealing, well written and most of the characters are quite likable. The main encampment in which you live and work has a warmth that wraps aroundFor starters, Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin is a very well rounded RPG. This game is uniquely portrayed as a side-scrolling platformer and a farming simulator. While a side-scroller at heart Sakuna has a little something for everybody. It's visually appealing, well written and most of the characters are quite likable. The main encampment in which you live and work has a warmth that wraps around you the more your adventure progresses. Aside from the gorgeous side-scrolling there is a farming simulator too. It takes some getting used to when planting the rice as the controls come off slightly awkward at first, however, once you get this feature down it can be a ton of fun! The developers did a seamless job tying the farming to Sakuna's upgrading. The music has a nice, fitting flow and strides along beautifully while corresponding to the lush environments. Sakuna gives you the feeling of, the more you give the more you get and it's very fitting as you often feel a sense of accomplishment. You get a lot for your dollar in this unique little package. Is it perfect? No. But it's pretty close and it deserves your time especially if you can appreciate the Japanese culture the game transfuses so well.… Expand
  3. Sabrewulf1
    Nov 22, 2020
    10
    We have a new mashup genre... The Farm-em-up (or 'Fup') Farm simulation meets Muramasa Demon blade, Dust an elysian tail, Odins sphere. These games already had extensive use of Japanese food culture baked into their core gameplay. Sakuna takes this base fundamental, and moves it into full blown food cultivation with the same awesome combat of the latter. It works so well there is going toWe have a new mashup genre... The Farm-em-up (or 'Fup') Farm simulation meets Muramasa Demon blade, Dust an elysian tail, Odins sphere. These games already had extensive use of Japanese food culture baked into their core gameplay. Sakuna takes this base fundamental, and moves it into full blown food cultivation with the same awesome combat of the latter. It works so well there is going to be an explosion of this type of game now, and its Sakuna's fault. A 10 score should be reserved for those games that create new genres, this is one such game. Outstanding masterpiece that triple A companies will steal as it becomes popular.… Expand
  4. biyuexia
    Nov 14, 2020
    10
    I preordered sakuna as soon as available.the character design is so cute so lovely,sakuna's action is smooth,she runs .the english voice acting is almost as good as runefactory4,bu......t,i think the cut scene does not need full voice acting,more effort of voice acting should be put to monters and daily dialogue with NPCs.and when jump in village,sakuna should have voice
  5. dunetiger
    Feb 13, 2021
    9
    Sakuna is a unique experience that won't tickle everyone's fancy, but for those that it speaks to, it is an absolutely incredible game that is like no other. At its heart, the game is two halves pressed together; on the one hand, you have a meticulous and detailed rice farming simulation and on the other, a deep and rewarding combat-heavy action platformer. Yet however silly that maySakuna is a unique experience that won't tickle everyone's fancy, but for those that it speaks to, it is an absolutely incredible game that is like no other. At its heart, the game is two halves pressed together; on the one hand, you have a meticulous and detailed rice farming simulation and on the other, a deep and rewarding combat-heavy action platformer. Yet however silly that may sound, it's like the discovery of mixing peanut butter and chocolate together. And the best part is that one cannot exist without the other in Sakuna.

    Nothing that you do in this game is a waste of time even if it may be time-consuming. That's how deeply-integrated all of its parts are. You cannot succeed at the action without a successful farm. You cannot have a successful farm unless you're out there gathering the right stuff for fertilizer and tending to the weeds. You cannot survive unless you ensure your belly is full and you're eating the right stat-boosting dinners every night with the very components you just hunted for. Everything you do inevitably leads to increasing Sakuna's stats.

    The best part, however, is that the game hardly tells you how to go about this. While you can easily go out and wiki the game to hell, its design is deliberate and entirely about learning and growing organically as a character and as a player. Put aside your min/maxing for a spell and experiment, figure out how things work or hunt down scrolls that give you what you need to know. You will initially be lost because Sakuna herself is initially lost. She's a spoiled brat, told to go tame an island of demons with no idea how to survive. Similarly, you're thrown into the game with about as much a clue as she has about how to get stuff done. But over time, you will learn and you will get better and you will discover new things to make yourself even stronger, build better weapons and tools and skills. It's an incredibly rewarding experience if you allow it to be.

    Sakuna is not a game about hitting the ground a winner. The intent is for you to grow as she grows and I think the game succeeds marvelously at this. You are so tied to your stats (which come from your farm) so even if you know what to do, you still have to earn it. It's a game that will burrow into the deep recesses of your mind and take over your waking thoughts if you get bit by it. Regardless of what platform you play this on, if any of it interests you, then you will find yourself falling in love with the game before you know it.    … Expand
  6. GameCorp_Meyk
    Sep 13, 2021
    9
    Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin does almost everything right in the aspects it focuses on. The gameplay in the Hack'n'Slash passages is buttery smooth, the farming simulator elements are detailed and deep and the soundtrack is divine. It almost seems as if the game was held back entirely by the hardware. Other versions of the game are likely to look better and have no audio issues with the soundtrack.
  7. Inuyasha17
    Nov 12, 2020
    10
    The story is interesting. And more than anything, the idea is fresh.
    It's a farming RPG game, and the action is very good.
    Very good action and war.
  8. redrose123
    Feb 21, 2021
    10
    i got the game two days ago and lets just say, that this game has been one of the most original ideas i have seen so far, the rice mechanic is weird but necessary, at first a player would think that is a sidequest, but is more different than you think, the rice mechanic is the only way your mc (sakuna) can level up, mix that with vallinaware awesome rpgs and you have a recipe worth of a hidden gem
  9. cucholix
    Nov 30, 2020
    1
    The game is a cross between Muramasa Demon Blade and Haverst Moon, all meshed into a beautiful traditional japanese folk setting, the game polishment is overshadowed by terrible compressed voice over in the Switch version. It's really jarring looking at the beautiful game with that bad VA audio quality, is just RUIN the whole atmosphere.
  10. ridius
    Dec 22, 2020
    2
    The game beautiful setup is kinda spoiled by the terrible compressed voice acting in this version, if you are an audiophile or are sensitive to poor quality audio better get this on PC.
  11. Nintendist
    Jun 30, 2022
    0
    this game is not brilliant. the gameplay is very easy and its is so stressful sometimes
  12. trwaters
    Nov 21, 2020
    8
    Pleasantly surprised by this game. I love that the farming has direct influence of your character’s stats. The combat is good, something like Odin Sphere. The rice farming is extremely in depth and challenging. Only complaint so far is the combat can be wonky at times, especially when dealing with obstacles in the environment. This game is perfect for people who like to play in burstsPleasantly surprised by this game. I love that the farming has direct influence of your character’s stats. The combat is good, something like Odin Sphere. The rice farming is extremely in depth and challenging. Only complaint so far is the combat can be wonky at times, especially when dealing with obstacles in the environment. This game is perfect for people who like to play in bursts as well due to the day/night cycle.… Expand
  13. KingofBeasts
    May 22, 2023
    5
    I think this is a fair score, and a reevaluation of the game.

    To start off, Sakuna: Of Rice and ruin, It has potential, given that it is a stat building game. However, it has issues that just holds it back. While the gameplay itself for the dungeons are good. The farming is very annoying. Allow me to list som pros vs cons. Pros: 1. The gameplay is smooth. 2. The mechanics    I think this is a fair score, and a reevaluation of the game.

    To start off, Sakuna: Of Rice and ruin,

    It has potential, given that it is a stat building game. However, it has issues that just holds it back. While the gameplay itself for the dungeons are good. The farming is very annoying. Allow me to list som pros vs cons.

    Pros:

    1. The gameplay is smooth.

    2. The mechanics are deep enough.

    3. The day and night cycle was well implemented.

    4. The visuals are pretty good.

    5. Platforming.

    Cons:

    1. Story
    —> The story is very weak, a snooze fest I will call it. As while it has potential to be something great, it proceeds at a snail pace. And even after hours of playing the game, nothing proceeds in an interesting way.

    2. Farming
    —> The worst part of the game. It is tedious, it is time consuming, it is just downright awful. I’ve played much better stat building games, that doesn’t try to shove these things down your throat. It is important, but in those games, you have many ways to proceed without putting the game at a halt.

    3. Story progression based on farming.
    —> You cannot proceed unless your farm level is high enough. This is just dumb.

    4. Progression based on exploration.
    —> You cannot proceed unless your exploration is high enough. This is another pointless delay.

    5. Lack of proper explanations.
    —> A lot is meant to be figured out. Though, here is the main problem. Don’t expect people to have a million hours for this, do a better job at explaining yourself as to not confuse the player.

    6. Penalties.
    —> You are penalized if you choose to let someone else handle the work. This goes into taking away options from the player, it is just a terrible idea.

    Etc.

    I think the point is made clear. While the game is good on the dungeon side of things, it is terrible everywhere else. A five is a fair enough score, and my final conclusion. Is that, it just is not worth it. This game is simply annoying.    … Expand
  14. lebk2440
    Jul 23, 2021
    8
    Love it! Such deep mechanics in there I still haven’t mastered a few things when it comes to growing rice, but you really don’t need to know everything, the rice grows well enough with basic knowledge. The combat was so on point, after I was playing for a while a became really good at it, felt really powerful, and the variety of attacks the game gives you is really nice, you can chooseLove it! Such deep mechanics in there I still haven’t mastered a few things when it comes to growing rice, but you really don’t need to know everything, the rice grows well enough with basic knowledge. The combat was so on point, after I was playing for a while a became really good at it, felt really powerful, and the variety of attacks the game gives you is really nice, you can choose your favourite ones and use them all the time or change them up, it changes how you play. The more you use an attack the more it’ll level up and become more powerful. The progression is surprisingly really well done like I never felt like I needed to level up and grind to beat a certain section. I guess it depends on how good of a rice farmer you are. A few things bothered me, like going back into previously beaten level to clear different objectives was kind of tedious but necessary to discover new areas. Certain enemies were resistant / weak to certain attacks but it isn’t written anywhere and I still don’t know because I haven’t looked it up. Last thing is the game was a but too long. Took me 36 hours. The best part was the last 10-12 hours, that was so much fun because I was familiar with everything and the special attacks really became interesting and fun to use. Anyways I recommend it but you need to be ready to commit to it because the most fun I had with it was the last third of the game. Although the rest was a lot of fun too. The game runs very smoothly in terms of frame rate, I experienced very few frame rate drops and they did not bother me.… Expand
  15. wallabee
    Dec 22, 2022
    9
    Excellent side scrolling rpg and farming combo. Plays like a dream and I love how intertwined the 2 elements are and give good switch between tasks and story was wonderfully done as well. I can see RF fans taking a liking or if you like the Japanese cultural aspect is really great.
  16. Kwar
    Dec 23, 2020
    10
    Such an amazing game. I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention. Funny though, I've leveled my character so much with rice farming that fighting is a breeze (and I love it)! Some of the skills are so fun. I have a favourite atm... It's cool to cause you can attach each of the moves, and there are quite a few you unlock, an you can attach them to a direction, like going forward or upSuch an amazing game. I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention. Funny though, I've leveled my character so much with rice farming that fighting is a breeze (and I love it)! Some of the skills are so fun. I have a favourite atm... It's cool to cause you can attach each of the moves, and there are quite a few you unlock, an you can attach them to a direction, like going forward or up into the sky. And these skills they level up too. But the rice farming is just so awesome. And your farming levels up and you get news skills with that too. Yeah overall this is such a fantastic game and well worth my $60 CAD spent. Reminds me of Okami, with farming. LOVE… Expand
  17. Ragnar_san
    Mar 17, 2022
    10
    Muy buen videojuego y encima aprendes cosas nuevas sobre la agricultura japonesa. Las fases de combate tambien son geniales!
  18. Blixri
    Dec 1, 2020
    10
    Where should I start? An RPG, a Platformer, a Farming Simulator... all in one? That's so innovative! None of these ever felt like they were just thrown in there and every little detail was packed with so much care and respect. I'm surprised at how many new ways that platforming tools can be implemented, and the way that this game does it is absolutely amazing. Planting rice is a lot ofWhere should I start? An RPG, a Platformer, a Farming Simulator... all in one? That's so innovative! None of these ever felt like they were just thrown in there and every little detail was packed with so much care and respect. I'm surprised at how many new ways that platforming tools can be implemented, and the way that this game does it is absolutely amazing. Planting rice is a lot of fun. Never expected to say that in my life. It gets a bit tough at times, but just stick with it, and you'll get the hang of it eventually. The ancient Japanese styled art and music bring so much charm and flavor into this game. The Characters are so cute, and the design is absolutely gorgeous! This game is definitely well worth your time and money.… Expand
  19. Dukh3
    Dec 2, 2020
    10
    Divertido, original, muy cuidado y recomendable totalmente, obviamente. No apto para cuñaos
  20. mtkf
    Jan 14, 2021
    9
    It takes a few hours to really get into and understand this game, but it's well worth it. Combat is fun and fluid and the music/soundtrack is fantastic. I bought this game on a whim and am surprised how much I've come to enjoy it.
  21. HappyDonnie
    Nov 30, 2020
    10
    Best hybrid ever, what i enjoyed most 2020. The balance between the two modes had me wondering what i liked the most. Masterpiece.
  22. nchecker
    Feb 20, 2021
    2
    Das Spiel kommt aus der Schweiz und spielt sich auch so. Furchtbare Steuerung, furchtbare Musik, furchtbares Voice Over.
  23. ItsTamo
    Aug 18, 2021
    9
    I was genuinely surprised by this game! It was the most wholesome experience I had in a while. I have an Asian background and the rice shenanigans just felt so relevant and funny to me.

    The art style was downright gorgeous. The 3D graphics during the farming sequence were lovely. Cats and dogs are so cute. Sakuna herself and the other cast were cute and enjoyable. I liked all of    I was genuinely surprised by this game! It was the most wholesome experience I had in a while. I have an Asian background and the rice shenanigans just felt so relevant and funny to me.

    The art style was downright gorgeous. The 3D graphics during the farming sequence were lovely. Cats and dogs are so cute.

    Sakuna herself and the other cast were cute and enjoyable. I liked all of their backstories and liked how they were told so casually at supper times.

    Farming was refreshing and was so much fun to experiment. I looked up real-time references for rice growth stages and this was just fun. Does get repetitive, but I think it should be expected from a farming-sim. Feeding my characters was fun, and gathering ingredients was enjoyable. Making compost and managing/planning the season was fun.

    The battle never got old. Skill combinations were fun, and the action effects during the battle made them quite enjoyable. I'm terrible at metroidvanias and platforming (like, unable to finish Super Mario Bros world 1 bad) but I was able to make it through this one just fine. The game is not overly demanding and it suited its ambiance.

    Some complaints,
    - Some QoL and upgrades are only introduced toward to end of the story and are barely used. I wished that I got cow plowing and hulling tools earlier.
    - It's difficult for the player to balance between farming and exploration. I ended up farming way too much compared to the story progression.
    - I wished that there were some difficulty adjustment settings, like how Xenoblade DE does. Rice farming levels Sakuna up by way too much. I enjoyed farming and wanted to grow the best rice possible. After few attempts, my Sakuna was way too powerful and I eased through the final boss. The boss was only dealing 1 damage per hit... I enjoy easy games since I'm admittedly bad at many of them, but it was bit disappointing even for me. I can see that some people will not like this. If there was a stat/level cap system that stops the player from leveling up beyond certain point while storing the exp, it would have been much more enjoyable.
    - The monster types were too limited.

    The story isn't too heavy and light-hearted. However, the credit roll was so wholesome and made me look back at my journey through the game.

    My 50 hr journey with Sakuna was a bliss.    … Expand
  24. Crackedpoppy
    Jun 19, 2021
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There’s so few games that have the ability to hold my attention enough to finish. I absolutely ADORE this game. The storyline? Excellent. The gameplay? Awesome. Ending was tear jerking but definitely beautiful.

    The game mechanics are pretty simple, and there’s a farming mechanic where you exclusively grow rice. Sounds kind of boring? Not so! The rice is what grows your character and increases your stats, allowing you to progress and reach new levels and progress through the game. You also use the spoils you find and make food and stuff you can use to upgrade your armour/weapons, or use it to fertilize your rice :D the NPC’s will sometimes have quests for you, meaningful quests that will have quite a bit of story, not just “collect 10 sticks ‘cause.”

    The story is beautiful. Some people might find the characters to be annoying, I think that’s kind of the intention, especially with Sakuna. She starts as a spoiled childlike princess and throughout the story becomes a really strong female protagonist.

    Only negatives I have with this is the raiment controls were a bit clunky and annoying.

    Really hope to see a second game, I absolutely loved this one.    … Expand
  25. JoeyPL5
    Nov 16, 2021
    8
    It's really fun and has a really charming cast of characters. It's a strange combination of 2D action-platforming and farming sim. Unfortunately, the game gets repetitive because the 2D action-platforming sections have really basic designs with combat that almost amounts to button mashing.
  26. rebster
    Feb 10, 2023
    8
    Really unique and fun game, kind of like a rice simulator with satisfying fighting (once you get into it it sort of feels like a beat em up) and a story. You also have lots of freedom with how you choose to upgrade yourself: which weapons to forge, what food to cook which all have different effects, what to put into the fertiliser which affects how your character upgrades, what powers toReally unique and fun game, kind of like a rice simulator with satisfying fighting (once you get into it it sort of feels like a beat em up) and a story. You also have lots of freedom with how you choose to upgrade yourself: which weapons to forge, what food to cook which all have different effects, what to put into the fertiliser which affects how your character upgrades, what powers to assign to your weapons, what garments/masks to wear which all have different characteristics.

    I'm nitpicking here cause it was truly an enjoyable game, but the reasons I'm not giving it a 10/10:
    - the dialogue during fights is repetitive, Sakuna, and other characters, will repeat the same things over and over and it gets so annoying that I have to mute it.
    - sometimes it feels like the story is trying to drag itself and you have to revisit old levels to complete missions
    - lags a bit when you run through the rice field once you start growing more rice
    - in my opinion the music wasn't interesting until the second half/last quarter of the game    … Expand
  27. LilGils
    Feb 22, 2023
    7
    Sakuna of Rice and Ruin have a really good idea and gameplay mechanic is deep enough to keep you play for a long time, but it suffered from really not fun final act and mediocre story.
  28. Appleflap15
    May 14, 2023
    9
    Great hidden gem. Engaging characters, a cool farming sim system that feeds into your combat stats and an interesting rhythm between farming and combat gameplay loops. Had me hooked for a month!

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best Switch Game of 2020
41
#41 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Nintendo Force Magazine
    May 5, 2021
    85
    It's so nice to get hyped for an upcoming game, look forward to it for over a year, finally play it and find that it lives up to your hopes! [Issue #50 – January/February 2021, p. 72]
  2. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Feb 17, 2021
    70
    The rice-growing process is very detailed, perhaps excessively so, but the action elements help to break the monotony. Besides, where else can you learn so much about rice? [Issue#251, p.55]
  3. Cubed3
    Jan 4, 2021
    90
    The realistic, in depth elements of rice farming combined with honing fighting skills plus surprising character revelations and development make Sakuna of Rice and Ruin a magnificent game. Sakuna's personal growth is a pleasure to watch. Her reason for living is tested to the limit, she learns to serve others rather than herself, and has to make a sacrifice that she would not have made if faced with the same decision at the start of the game. The balanced emphasis on farming and fighting provides a great variety of tasks to undertake, providing dozens of hours of fun. The delay in the game's original planned release was worth the wait.
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