Spiritfarer Reviews
A thought-provoking and bittersweet adventure that understands that death is part of living.
Spiritfarer's gorgeous mix of an exciting action-platformer and a touching town manager is a journey worth savoring.
By marrying metroidvania, management sim and a good dose of kindness, Spiritfarer manages to feel simultaneously familiar and refreshing.
Spiritfarer taps into the fun of farming/lifestyle simulations, but adds a unique story layer that sets it apart
Spirifarer is an excellent 2D-platformer and management game, but moreover it's a beautiful and joyous journey about caring for others and coming to terms with death and saying goodbye.
Spiritfarer works because the entire game is built around creating these connections to the characters, all of which are complex people with tangled stories. And none of the spirits are purely good or bad; some are people leaving a mess behind for others to grapple with.
Spiritfarer is a cozy game about helping spirits move on. Its wide scope of systems and resources can sometimes get in its own way, but when working in harmony it unveils a touching narrative, all the while adorned by gorgeous art. Best enjoyed in small pieces, Spiritfarer is a warm and inviting world to get lost in, with the occasional emotional gut punch for good measure.
Spiritfarer has a soft, caring, bittersweet tone that I've rarely encountered in video games. For a game all about death and dying, I only ever felt calm and relaxed when playing it. The management gameplay is varied and engaging, and even though the scope if it leads to the game getting a bit too long in the tooth, it helps connect the incredibly emotional story beats together so well. Mix that up with its beautiful art style and enchanting music, and you've got one of the most emotional management games I've ever played.
Those who will patiently (and happily) put in the time to building their ferries and cooking for their spirit friends will be rewarded with snippets of story that might stay with them longer than they expect.
Spiritfarer is a game about saying "goodbye" to our friends. Its management mechanics are only a shield, behind which Stella, a ferrymaster, tries to help souls living a serene departure. But their journey is also Stella's journey, full of surprises, emotion and laughs and Spiritfarer is able to turn a death trip in a boat full of life, sounds and people. What is the afterlife? How we are reaching it? Spiritfarer answers with elegance and smartness. A precious gem.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Spiritfarer is an excellent game in its own right, yet its candid handling of death truly sets it apart from its peers. It's addicting gameplay loop is well complimented by its thoughtful story - anyone who likes their relaxation with a side of healthy contemplation will be hard pressed to find a more compelling game this year.
Spiritfarer is a unique and special game. A management sim that manages to blend its various systems with a poignant and bittersweet look at life and death.
Blending both adventure and management sim, the player cares for these characters and wanders into the wonder of this world, which lights up with each new island discovered. It explores the role of both parties in death; is it the responsibility of the spirit or the Spiritfarer to sew together the uncomfortable threads of loss?
Ultimately, everything in Spiritfarer is like that. Measured, thought out, detailed, kind.
Spiritfarer excels in every genre it dips its toes in.
Spiritfarer is a game with a lot of moving parts, but most of its elements are well handled. Progression comes at a good pace as you upgrade Stella's ship, her abilities, and build relationships with a colourful crew. The crafting minigames are a weak spot, and the writing doesn't always land, but there's a lot to like about this maritime management title.
Spiritfarer is a truly gorgeous game in every aspect. A stunning art style, gorgeously melodic music, and a lighter and less punishing take on the management sim genre make it one of the best indie games of the year and a title that will be remembered for years to come.
Spiritfarer is a unique indie title, that is impossible to put into one single genre. There's so much to see here - from exquisite style and great ideas, to a heartwarming and clever writing.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Spiritfarer is a beautifully crafted, memorable experience that focuses on the dead trying to find peace upon heading into the afterlife.