Made an account just to post on this 1 game...because it is worth way more than how this review is describing Sakuna of Rice and Ruin.
I should preface this by giving a very brief look in to the type of gamer I am. Firstly, I've been gaming since the og NES. Secondly, I gravitate towards games that have incredibly complex systems (crafting, leveling, min/maxing, gearing, farming). Last, I have very limited knowledge about Shinto mythology and the actual cultivation of rice via Feudal Japan techniques (or at all for that matter). Moving on.
SoRoR does next to no hand holding...for those that like to spam the A button and "come on just get to the good stuff already" types. There is an incredibly in depth system modeled after real rice cultivation. So guess what? You can research how to actually grow rice in real life AND PROFIT FROM THIS EFFORT AND KNOWLEDGE. Water levels, water temps, type of fertilizer...all of this you can kesrn by simply doing a google search. Neither you or Sakuna (nor anyone else for that matter) is going to hand you the knowledge as literally no one you know in-game has the ability to do so. So yes, there is NO hand holding. However, this is where this game SHINES. And quiet beautifully too. Initially you will feel pressured to figure everything out at once...and Sakuna feels the same way. But the enjoyment of this game comes from putting in the effort and failing. Through that failure, you grow in knowledge and character. Just as Sakuna does (except she'll get major stat boosts and you'll...just feel better about not being idiot lol). This review makes seem as if it is a burden going through this process. This couldn't be more wrong. The process IS the game. And for a damn good reason that is resolved in the late game (like...30-35hours late). While yes, relying on getting scrolls for proper game direction is...discouraging in a way, just playing the game and being cool with a "I'll get there when I get there" attitude is more than enough to get major boosts in Sakuna's stats and qrapping your head around making balanced meals.
Don't let complexity discourage your interest. The entire idea of Sakuna is to take a pampered goddess of entitlement and to transform her into a goddess rivalling not only her parents godliness...but into a humbled BEAST that is stronger than even the goddess of creation.
Sakuna of Rice and Ruin is a 9/10, no question about that. I'm 47 hours (nearly 19 Sakuna years) and I'm still playing long after "beating" the game. I WILL have the most aromatic and sticky rice EVER. Behold my Revered Ears!
(Also...slight spoiler...there seems to be either a dlc and/or Sakuna 2 on the horizon if you pay close enough attention to hints dropped in the late game.)
Comments 2
Re: Random: The NSO Icon On The Switch Home Menu Is Driving Some Users Crazy
Petty. It's just an icon. People just want to be upset.
Re: Review: Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin - A Unique Farming Sim Which Requires Vast Reserves Of Patience
Made an account just to post on this 1 game...because it is worth way more than how this review is describing Sakuna of Rice and Ruin.
I should preface this by giving a very brief look in to the type of gamer I am. Firstly, I've been gaming since the og NES. Secondly, I gravitate towards games that have incredibly complex systems (crafting, leveling, min/maxing, gearing, farming). Last, I have very limited knowledge about Shinto mythology and the actual cultivation of rice via Feudal Japan techniques (or at all for that matter).
Moving on.
SoRoR does next to no hand holding...for those that like to spam the A button and "come on just get to the good stuff already" types.
There is an incredibly in depth system modeled after real rice cultivation. So guess what? You can research how to actually grow rice in real life AND PROFIT FROM THIS EFFORT AND KNOWLEDGE. Water levels, water temps, type of fertilizer...all of this you can kesrn by simply doing a google search. Neither you or Sakuna (nor anyone else for that matter) is going to hand you the knowledge as literally no one you know in-game has the ability to do so. So yes, there is NO hand holding.
However, this is where this game SHINES. And quiet beautifully too.
Initially you will feel pressured to figure everything out at once...and Sakuna feels the same way. But the enjoyment of this game comes from putting in the effort and failing. Through that failure, you grow in knowledge and character. Just as Sakuna does (except she'll get major stat boosts and you'll...just feel better about not being idiot lol).
This review makes seem as if it is a burden going through this process. This couldn't be more wrong. The process IS the game. And for a damn good reason that is resolved in the late game (like...30-35hours late).
While yes, relying on getting scrolls for proper game direction is...discouraging in a way, just playing the game and being cool with a "I'll get there when I get there" attitude is more than enough to get major boosts in Sakuna's stats and qrapping your head around making balanced meals.
Don't let complexity discourage your interest. The entire idea of Sakuna is to take a pampered goddess of entitlement and to transform her into a goddess rivalling not only her parents godliness...but into a humbled BEAST that is stronger than even the goddess of creation.
Sakuna of Rice and Ruin is a 9/10, no question about that. I'm 47 hours (nearly 19 Sakuna years) and I'm still playing long after "beating" the game. I WILL have the most aromatic and sticky rice EVER. Behold my Revered Ears!
(Also...slight spoiler...there seems to be either a dlc and/or Sakuna 2 on the horizon if you pay close enough attention to hints dropped in the late game.)