We're playing as a new Spiritfarer, Stella. Our job is to maintain a spirit vessel to ferry the dead to their final resting place. Join me in this 'cozy mana. Spritfarer is an indie game by Thunder Lotus, inspired by the mythological tale of Charon, the Spiritfarer that takes you to the underworld after you die. On this game, however, you play as Stella.
| Spiritfarer | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Thunder Lotus Games |
| Publisher(s) | Thunder Lotus Games |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | August 18, 2020 |
| Genre(s) | Management simulation, action platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Spiritfarer is an indie management sim and sandboxaction 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.
Plot[edit]
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]
Spiritfarer Game Review
Reception[edit]
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Spiritfarer received 'generally favorable reviews' for the PC version, according to review aggregatorMetacritic.[5]
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'.[3] 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]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abcSpiritfarer Review - IGN, retrieved August 22, 2020
- ^ abcAllen, Eric Van (August 18, 2020). 'Spiritfarer Review: Come Sail Away'. USgamer. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
- ^ abWatts, Rachel (August 18, 2020). 'Spiritfarer review'. PC Gamer. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
- ^'Spiritfarer for Switch Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ ab'Spiritfarer for PC Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
- ^'Spiritfarer for PlayStation 4 Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
Spiritfarer Achievement Guide