Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Reviews
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a heavenly combination of realistic farming, combat and exploration served with a hearty side of great characters and writing
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a bold genre fusion that pays off with superb farming and combat systems plus a cast of characters you'll remember for a long time to come.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a genuine cultural artefact. It never forgets the need to be entertaining and engaging, but every facet of the game is invested in communicating the Japanese cultural perspective on the world, from how we see the divine, to the respect that we should hold for the very staples that sustain us. This is a game that transcends the conventional expectations of video games, to deliver something much grander and more inherently valuable than passive entertainment to consume.
This game is the perfect mix of an RPG, 2D Platformer and farming simulator that you can find. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin looks and sounds great and has a great story that will make you care about all the characters.
I don’t think Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin can be classified as one single genre. It’s blending of farming and action only scrapes the surface of what this game actually offers. Still, by looking at those two pieces alone, there is a ton of excellent moments of gameplay to experience. Yes, it’s very much a farming game, and yes, it is full of action, but these two systems run seamlessly alongside a beautiful story and brilliant presentation.
it's indeed the full harvest. It defies everything we know about the commonplace Anime video game, and exceeds all expectations from gameplay, presentation, narrative and character growth.
Now if only I could catch more frogs...
The realistic, in depth elements of rice farming combined with honing fighting skills plus surprising character revelations and development make Sakuna of Rice and Ruin a magnificent game. Sakuna's personal growth is a pleasure to watch. Her reason for living is tested to the limit, she learns to serve others rather than herself, and has to make a sacrifice that she would not have made if faced with the same decision at the start of the game. The balanced emphasis on farming and fighting provides a great variety of tasks to undertake, providing dozens of hours of fun. The delay in the game's original planned release was worth the wait.
They have managed to combine with perfect balance the 2D side-scrolling action with the 3D farming simulation.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Sakuna unfolds as an original action J-RPG, that feels different and it's fun. if you connect with it, you'll find that it's hard to put it aside, even if it can fail in grind and repetition, everything it's well dosed and executed, without the usual problems found on other Nintendo Switch ports. A superb RPG surprise to finish this crazy year.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a marvellous game. Pulling together two genres in a fun and unique way, you're left with a game quite unlike anything before it. Give it a shot, you'll find it more than worth the wait.
Move over, Uncle Ben. There’s a new rice god in town. Sakuna of Rice and Ruin lets you have your grains and eat them too by serving up a nice heaping of action alongside one of the most detailed and meticulous systems for rice farming that you’ll ever see in a game. Admittedly, the agriculture side can feel like work sometimes and gameplay can become a bit repetitive as you go through multiple years. Its uncanny attention to detail and refreshing take on the farming genre, however, makes Sakuna a game worth adding to your daily diet.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a combination 2D side-scrolling combat game and 3D farming sim, and both elements are strong enough to stand on their own. You'll need to master each to be successful, and you'll have a fun time on both sides once you figure them out.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a game divided into two very well designed and distinct parts, but which at the same time are able to relate in a very cohesive and functional whole. Sometimes, it has a preciosity in the narrative cadence, but it has great mechanics both in combat and cultivation, a charming story and very good visuals.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin works well on all levels. The action segments are a treat thanks to their fast pace, since they deliver an experience that matches up with other fast-paced action titles. The farming segments are interesting because they're so involved and go into so much detail that the title surpasses all but the most dedicated farming simulator titles. When combined, the experience is fantastically balanced - provided you can deal with the slower overall progression rate. In the end, Sakuna is a great title that delivers on a unique experience.
This is a truly impressive 2.5D action platformer that boasts some of the best production values on the entire Switch’s library, with gorgeous visuals and a great soundtrack. Its gameplay is fast-paced and addictive, and its slice of life mechanics, while far from being the best thing about it, are still interesting and not very intrusive.
GREAT - With a nice divided focus between action adventure platform levels and chill farming sequences, you have a great gaming experience that should satisfy your button mashing battle hardened side and fill your calm, peaceful farming simulation needs all in one game.
It is rare to see a title that is composed of so many quality elements. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a great action and simulation game that put several aspects together in one package: an immersive adventure, beautiful visuals, fun gameplay and many challenges and secrets to explore. Although some little things could have been better worked out, this Japanese adventure is a must for your library.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
If you’ve been on the lookout for a good side-scrolling action adventure, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is worth looking into. Between the flexible combat system and the puzzle platforming, you have an interesting small scale farming simulator that only adds to the overall sense of accomplishment as it replaces most standard RPG experience level systems. Add in some humorous dialog and likable characters, and I think I found either my guilty pleasure or my pleasant surprise for the year!
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a game that masterfully combines the management of a farm and the cultivation of rice, with 2D areas with hack'n slash mechanics where we will fight with dozens of demons while obtaining resources for the farm. An endearing story awaits us with very well written characters and a fairly interesting representation of Japanese rural culture and its associated mythology. With this cover letter you have to give it a go.
Review in Spanish | Read full review