| 33bits |
Fernando Sánchez |
85 / 100 |
12-11-2020 |
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. |
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| Bazimag |
Seyed Ali Rooholamini |
6 / 10 |
11-23-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a very mediocre independent game that you probably will not interact with. It also gets boring quickly due to its numerous problems. It would be great for the developers to address these problems and fix the game. |
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| But Why Tho? |
Eva Herinkova |
7 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fun gameplay experience if you’re really into managing statistics and growing from your mistakes. The biggest flaw is that the narrative, which has an interesting premise, is stunted by the shallowness and, at times, obnoxious nature of the characters. Luckily, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is focused more on the gameplay and is an easy recommendation if you’re looking for a rewarding combat experience and farming simulator. |
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| Cerealkillerz |
Gabriel Bogdan |
7 / 10 |
01-15-2021 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin picks you up pretty good at the beginning with some great characters, a bit of charme and a thoughtful rice cultivation simulation. It sadly it loses a lot of it with repetitive gameplay design and action-rpg elements which make a lot of the tasks a bit tedious. |
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| Chalgyr’s Game Room |
Pierre-Yves Lanthier |
8.5 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
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! |
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| Checkpoint Gaming |
Bree Swaine |
8 / 10 |
11-11-2020 |
It’s a robust game with a fresh atmosphere and it’s found its own little niche where it undoubtedly has full reign… It’s safe to say I’m going to be knee-deep in water and checking on my rice for seasons to come. |
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| Chicas Gamers |
Unknown |
Recommended |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna of Rice and Ruin is a fantastic game, made with love and that will give us 25-30 hours of play that does not disappoint at any time. In short, a round game with a lot to offer. |
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| COGconnected |
Lillian King |
78 / 100 |
11-11-2020 |
The art style is vivid and manages to not look realistic but still be immersive, and the simple act of being Sakuna and exploring the visuals around me is enough to want to keep playing. In some ways, the game reminds me of Animal Crossing games, where the loop slows me down and keeps me engaged in the little wonders of life around me. |
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| Cubed3 |
Unknown |
9 / 10 |
12-26-2020 |
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. |
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| cublikefoot |
Chase Ferrin |
Recommended |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin may falter in some areas, but the action-platforming is some really well-done stuff, with fun and complex combat, great level design, and actually challenging boss fights. |
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| Daily Mirror |
Eugene Sowah |
4 / 5 stars |
11-08-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a breath of fresh air that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s hard to believe that a game with this much detail and depth is from just two developers. The team at Edelweiss have created such a unique game with amazing production and polished gameplay. There are a few little features like enemy repetition and lacklustre level layouts at times that could be improved. However I think Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is definitely one of 2020’s exceptional releases. |
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| DASHGAMER.com |
Dan Rizzo |
9.5 / 10 |
11-13-2020 |
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. |
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| Destructoid |
Jordan Devore |
7 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
If a quirky action game with RPG progression and relaxing agricultural activities seems like your kind of thing, trust your gut on this one. The Nintendo Switch version is solid enough for me to recommend it. |
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| Digitally Downloaded |
Matt Sainsbury |
5 / 5 stars |
11-10-2020 |
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. |
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| DualShockers |
Kris Cornelisse |
7.5 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin delivers a remarkably in-depth set of mechanical systems. The interplay is impressive, even if the execution is somewhat flawed. |
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| FingerGuns |
Toby Andersen |
7 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Some accomplished character work and a narrative full of heart, sits next to a deep and detailed rice-farming mechanic that will have you sinking hours in trying to get the perfect crop. However, fiddly combat and shallow platforming take their toll. If you’re anything like me, you’ll get lost in the farming, and let the other parts lie fallow. |
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| Game Informer |
Joe Juba |
7.5 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Combat is fun, and it ties into the simulation elements well. However, the pacing and repetition makes it difficult to fully appreciate it all |
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| GameGrin |
Alana Dunitz |
10 / 10 |
12-02-2020 |
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. |
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| Gamer Escape |
Eliot Lefebvre |
8 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
But the whole thing is presented with such care, patient attention to detail, and downright love that it’s impossible not to enjoy the heck out of this game. It’s the sort of game that I highly recommend to people who may naturally only be inclined to one side or the other of this particular melange, because you might find yourself enjoying it more than you expected. |
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| GameSkinny |
Joshua Broadwell |
10 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
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. |
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| GameSpew |
Becca S. |
8 / 10 |
11-11-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is more complex than one might expect, which is a pleasant surprise. The delicate and relaxing art of rice farming juxtaposed against the smooth and fast-paced combat makes this a unique but wholly engaging adventure. While combat can be a bit of slog until Sakuna has more abilities up her sleeve, it’s worth persevering with, because the result is a side-scrolling action title unlike no other. |
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| GameSpot |
Heidi Kemps |
8 / 10 |
12-02-2020 |
This rice is anything but bland. |
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| GameWatcher |
Gavin Herman |
8 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is definitely an interesting title, mixing the mundanities of rice planting with 2D hacking and slashing. While an acquired taste, those who like their games unique should have a fun time with Sakuna. If you can forgive an unlikeable protagonist and some repetitive gameplay at times, Sakuna is a solid title that shines even with its flaws. |
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| GBAtemp |
Scarlet Bell |
8.8 / 10 |
11-03-2020 |
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. |
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| Geeks Under Grace |
Joe Morgan |
6 / 10 |
11-10-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fun, cute action platformer bogged down by unnecessary repetition and tedious farming mechanics. |
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| God is a Geek |
Lyle Carr |
8 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin combines complex rice farming and grappling hook based combat to create a truly memorable experience. |
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| GotGame |
Abdul Saad |
7.5 / 10 |
11-29-2020 |
Despite the few issues, I enjoyed my time with Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin. The in-depth farming system was relaxing and almost therapeutic, which really goes in its favor. |
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| Guardian |
Patrick Lum |
4 / 5 stars |
11-09-2020 |
This unusual take on virtual farming has you battling demons – when you’re not tending to rice paddies |
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| Hardcore Gamer |
Chris Shive |
4 / 5 stars |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin seamlessly blends 2D platforming action with 3D farm management. |
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| Hey Poor Player |
Josh Speer |
4 / 5 stars |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin isn’t perfect, but the good more than outweighs the bad here. It’s just frustrating for me personally, cause there were so many things about the game that could have translated to a perfect experience. There’s just too many missteps for that. Thankfully, what’s here is still very much worth the price of admission. If you want a game you can sink hours and hours into while enjoying a meandering and surprising story, you have to check this one out. |
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| Hobby Consolas |
Alberto Lloret |
89 / 100 |
11-09-2020 |
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. |
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| IGN Italy |
Biagio Etna |
8 / 10 |
11-27-2020 |
A delicious action/management hybrid, ideal for lovers of Japanese atmospheres and for those who appreciate the two genres that characterize it. |
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| Just Push Start |
Mark Fajardo |
4 / 5 stars |
11-17-2020 |
Where Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is difficult to comment on is the whole experience. Making farming such a critical part is going to turn off a lot of people and even skipping it makes things more tedious than it needs to be. As for combat, it’s fun, though not overly deep. I found myself having fun and easily knew what to do to prevent dying, even if I still occasionally got overran. Unfortunately, a lot of this hinges on how much of a deal-breaker farming is. Even if you can skip most of it, things just get harder or you need to devote different amounts of effort to it. For some that is fine but you need to make that call for yourself. |
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| KeenGamer |
Harry Fritsch |
7 / 10 |
11-30-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin yields a unique blend of farming simulation and action-platforming that manages to be a filling meal without providing much valuable nutrients. For the most part, the two gameplay styles work off each other in harmony, but each have individual faults injecting tedium into the experience. Thankfully, the art style, story, and characters are all rich enough to carry the game through any dry spell. |
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| Niche Gamer |
Brandon Lyttle |
7.5 / 10 |
11-23-2020 |
For those wanting a fun side-scrolling beat’em up, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fun and unique game that will provide hours of content. Those wanting a farming and village sim are better served by other franchises like Rune Factory. |
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| Nintendo Enthusiast |
Brett Medlock |
8 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin succeeds at offering both an exploration-based beat ’em up adventure and a relaxing life-sim experience. The combat may not be perfect and the difficulty feels uneven at times, but the addicting gameplay loop and charming world more than make up for it. |
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| Nintendo Life |
Kate Gray |
7 / 10 |
11-16-2020 |
Lovers of Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon may not find this game to be exactly the kind of farming they enjoy – it’s more like, you know, actual farming, with all the tiny changes in fertiliser recipes and water temperature that farming requires. But for anyone who needs to practise mindfulness, patience, and appreciation for the small things (all 2,000 of them), Sakuna: Of Rice And Ruin may just be the therapy you need. |
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| Nintendo Times |
Jay Kittelson |
8.5 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
GREAT |
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| NintendoWorldReport |
Zachary Miller |
9 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Now if only I could catch more frogs… |
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| Noisy Pixel |
Azario Lopez |
10 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
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. |
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| PC Invasion |
Andrew Farrell |
7.5 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a deep, intriguing game that makes some poor design decisions and fails to clarify itself. The mechanics are interesting and unique but its got a hell of a learning curve. |
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| PlayStation LifeStyle |
Annette Polis |
8 / 10 |
11-10-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is charming and challenging in all the right ways. Even now, as I sit here spending time working on this review, I wish I were playing the game. In spite of a few frustrating puzzle sections here and there, Hinoe calls to me. Knowing that my rice needs tending to and my pantry probably needs more dried meat so we can make it through the winter is all I want to focus on. That’s when you know a game has its hooks in you. Pretty, addictive hooks that have me all in. |
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| PlayStation Universe |
Garri Bagdasarov |
7.5 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a fun and entertaining game. I was quickly swept in by its charming characters, great writing, and rice farming simulation. Unfortunately, a lot of the game mechanics hold it back including the brutal day and night cycle and having to wait an entire game year just to level up Sakuna to make the game a little easier. |
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| PSX Brasil |
Paulo Roberto Montanaro |
85 / 100 |
11-14-2020 |
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. |
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| Push Square |
Jenny Jones |
7 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
In the evenings you can spend time with your new human family to chat and eat a meal using the food that you’ve gathered and grown yourself. Watching Sakuna slowly mature and start to care about more than just herself is a truly heart-warming journey. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is an absolutely wonderful blend of farming simulator and action RPG. Whether you’re fighting off hordes of demons or trying to find the best way to manage your crop, there is constantly something new to learn and discover in this charmingly unique adventure. |
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| Reno Gazette-Journal |
Jason Hidalgo |
8.5 / 10 |
11-19-2020 |
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. |
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| RPGamer |
Pascal Tekaia |
3.5 / 5 stars |
12-28-2020 |
It’s a solid and certainly unique game that can be quite enjoyable when approached with the right expectations. |
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| Screen Rant |
Hayes Madsen |
3.5 / 5 stars |
11-11-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a charming experience, and its charming cast keeps things surging forward, even while the main story drags on for a bit. There’s certainly a bit of a learning curve, and the game could do a better job with tutorials, but there are deep systems to dig into once players get the hang of them. |
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| SpazioGames |
Unknown |
8.1 / 10 |
11-12-2020 |
What a fun little surprise Sakuna Of Rice and Ruin has been. If you like 2D action rpgs and have always been curious about rice plantation, this is definitely the game for you. |
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| TheSixthAxis |
Miguel Moran |
7 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin has a lot going for it, from a fun and quirky protagonist to snappy combat and gorgeous visuals. Above all else, though, it’s one of the most immersive and rewarding farming experiences in gaming. To slowly toil through each step of the process and eventually reap your rewards is a delight, and even if the combat encounters can sometimes become a frustrating chore, the slow process of cultivating the rice harvest is always a treat. |
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| Twinfinite |
Cameron Waldrop |
4 / 5 stars |
11-09-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a wonderful mix of the two ideas. As a platformer, the game wouldn’t have enough driving force, and would wear out quickly. For farming, while it’s truly lovely, there’s too much downtime with not enough to do. Each of these things in a game of their own would be draining, but together it creates a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of a game that deserves recognition and continues to feel fresh and enjoyable even after 20 hours in. |
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| VGChartz |
Evan Norris |
8 / 10 |
11-22-2020 |
Sakuna is eye-opening, not only because it shines a light on the nourishing, temperamental, and soulful qualities of rice but also because it demonstrates how a small team of two people can produce greatness by combining two seemingly incompatible genres. |
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| Video Chums |
A.J. Maciejewski |
7.7 / 10 |
11-28-2020 |
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin combines 2 very different genres into one rewarding experience and its heartwarming story is the icing on the cake. It may become a little tedious after a while but the journey is still worth partaking in for those who enjoy unique games. |
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| WayTooManyGames |
Leonardo Faria |
8.5 / 10 |
11-09-2020 |
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. |
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| WellPlayed |
Eleanore Blereau |
10 / 10 |
11-10-2020 |
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 |
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| Worth Playing |
Cody Medellin |
8.5 / 10 |
01-12-2021 |
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 |
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