Spiritfarer

Spiritfarer is an indie management sim and sandbox action game developed and published by Canadian studio Thunder Lotus Games and released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and Stadia on August 18, 2020. The main character, Stella, becomes a "Spiritfarer" whose job is to ferry spirits of the deceased to the afterlife. It received generally positive reviews from critics, praising its slow-paced gameplay, detailed animation, orchestral musical score and unique themes.

Spiritfarer
Developer(s)Thunder Lotus Games
Publisher(s)Thunder Lotus Games
Platform(s)
ReleaseAugust 18, 2020
Genre(s)Management simulation, action platformer
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Plot

The player takes the role of Stella, accompanied by her pet cat Daffodil, who takes over from the mythological Charon as the new Spiritfarer, a ferrymaster who must sail the sea to find spirits and granting their last wishes and finally take them to the Everdoor, a gateway to the afterlife.[1][2]

Reception

Spiritfarer received "generally favorable reviews" for the PC version, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[4]

IGN's Tom Marks rated the game 9/10 and gave it the Editor's Choice award, comparing the game to a combination of Animal Crossing and an action platformer. He stated that, while the game "tackle[s] the heavy topic of death and those left behind in its wake", it is nonetheless "colorful" and "feel-good". He called the campaign "full of charming characters with somber, touching stories", though stating that "not all the characters are as impactful as others". He stated that the backtracking got "tiresome" and the formula of the game became predictable, with mundane tasks becoming "repetitive fast" if the player attempted to optimize their efficiency, but that the game forcing beloved characters to leave was emotionally affecting.[1]

Rachel Watts of PC Gamer rated the game 85/100, saying that it is a "wholesome life-sim" that "deals with the topic of death and compassion with masterful balance". However, she criticized the "purposeful vagueness" about the nature of the afterlife and its inhabitants as "muddl[ing] the clarity of the characters' intentions".[6] Eric Van Allen of USGamer rated the game 4/5, saying its writing is "warm, funny and charming", and the game is "best enjoyed in small pieces".[2]

It was nominated for Games For Impact and Best Indie Game at The Game Awards 2020.[7]

Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw of The Escapist awarded Spiritfarer his 2020 Best Game of the Year.

See also

References
  1. Spiritfarer Review - IGN, retrieved August 22, 2020
  2. Allen, Eric Van (August 18, 2020). "Spiritfarer Review: Come Sail Away". USgamer. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  3. "Spiritfarer for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  4. "Spiritfarer for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  5. "Spiritfarer for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  6. Watts, Rachel (August 18, 2020). "Spiritfarer review". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  7. Tassi, Paul (December 11, 2020). "Here's The Game Awards 2020 Winners List With A Near-Total 'Last Of Us' Sweep". Forbes.
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