Spiritfarer Reviews
Regardless of these minor quibbles, Spiritfarer is a journey I wholeheartedly recommend taking, even if management sims are not your thing. The main lessons of accepting loss and the importance of leaving something behind are important to learn. The heavy topics your colleagues discuss with you are also necessary to navigate and leave a lasting gut punch. The title is also wonderfully animated and the music is superb, with its main theme receiving a number of variations throughout the experience that well up deep feelings inside of you. Give it a go if you are ready to ugly cry and smile at the same time!
Spiritfarer combines the fun of managing your own ship and tending to its passengers with a touching narrative about accepting death and saying farewell to your loved ones.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Spiritfarer tries to become a bittersweet balm for loss wounds, but slightly misses the status of a masterpiece without collecting a handful of mini-catharses into one big one at the end.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Spiritfarer wants to convey that, yes, life is beautiful, but death is not the end. Spiritfarer creatively embodies this message in its fun gameplay and moving story that’s more than worth your time.
I can't say that Spiritfarer is a game for everybody, or that it's a perfect game, or even that it's MY perfect game, but I can say that it was a surprise just how much I found myself tangled up in the tales of my friends, and how much each one emotionally resonated with me. It made me consider my relationship with my children, and the duties I have as a father to raise, love, teach, and protect them. I considered my aging and elderly grandmother who lives multiple states away and is due for a visit from me. My thoughts wandered to my own mental health, how I care for myself and whether or not I give myself the attention that I need and deserve. Very seldom does a game come along that so precisely taps into my emotions and causes such a state of reflection. It's difficult not to recommend Spiritfarer to anybody at this point, because it is the most special indie game I've played in a long time.
For the most part, Spiritfarer is a charming and upbeat game, but it covers the themes of death and loss with seriousness and respect. I was genuinely shocked by just how much I came to care about the spirits in my care. Learning about them and helping them move on gave the management sim side of the game have a lot more meaning.
You will find yourself coming back to the game over and over again, just to spend time with everybody and explore the islands. The lack of any kind of rush or failure allows for a serious relaxed approach that I can definitely appreciate at the moment. There are also some truly entertaining moments like catching lightning in a bottle during a storm, musical mini-games to help your plants grow or saving a giant serpent by driving a pickaxe into their skull.
Spiritfarer is a management title where its key pieces are narrative and artistic section. A highly recommended adventure that will take you a while to forget.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Spiritfarer taps into the fun of farming/lifestyle simulations, but adds a unique story layer that sets it apart
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.
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?
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 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
In key moments, however, Spiritfarer always manages to take back the reins with grace, to enhance its themes and its message. And this is certainly a great merit.
Review in Italian | Read full review
A truly pleasant game, Spiritfarer balances undemanding platforming, gentle exploration and forgiving resource management with a beautifully-realised world with a cast full of charming, likeable, memorable characters.
Spiritfarer is a game that brightens death, a dark and touchy subject. When playing, you will learn to say goodbye to the ones you love, and to enjoy every moment with those around you.
Do not rush Spiritfarer in any way. Just embrace it. Look at it as an experience that you can enjoy deeply for some weeks. An Indie Video Game that is certainly not for everyone. But If you can accept some down moments, the sadness, the happiness, and weirdness of it, You are going to get 30 hours of meaningful entertainment that is worth your money.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Spiritfarer has the body of a seafaring exploration game, the mind of a management sim, and the soul of an emotional journey depicting love, loss, and grief. With gorgeous visuals and a soundtrack to match, Spiritfarer is pleasing to the senses while providing a core loop that’s easy to get lost in.
A beautiful story in a beautiful world. It's simple, but has lots of feeling and imagination to it, and it's full of memorable moments. On the other hand, it can feel a bit of a chore at times, and drags on for a bit too long.
Review in Spanish | Read full review