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. 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
  2. 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.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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