Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Review (Switch, also on PS4/PC) | 35 Hours Later | Backlog Battle 

Unironically, my most hyped game of the year. I'm glad it's almost here.

So apparently the dev's company stock rose so high, they had to cap it until the end of the trading day. I don't need to wish them luck, they already made it.

I’m currently playing this game. Was previously on the fence in purchasing it, but this review is actually what sealed the deal. I can say I have no regrets.

The deeply complex farming mechanics are unironically making me want this game even more. :D The art style reminds me of Okami. Definitely picking this up! Thanks for sharing this in-depth review.

I wish HARVEST MOON would revamed their gameplay such as this... the fertilizer thing is a great concept...

Can I just say I love how her straw hat bounces around whenever she moves? It's adorable. Looks like a fun game in general; will add it to my wishlist!

I stumbled across this game when I was getting Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for my cousin as his birthday present. I’ve always been a fan of farming games, and I’m really excited to what this game has to offer after watching your video. Honestly speaking, at first I was a bit nervous about this game, but your video has really given me a peace of mind, thanks for the review!

While i considered getting the Game because i loved the visuals and combination of combat with farming, your review made it very much clear that the amount of details going into the farming section while being a direct requirement in the combat gameplay, is one major factor i'd likely be unable to cope with on the long run. so while it made me unlikely to buy this game in any near future, i appreciate the detailed review to not make me buy a game i'd not enjoy (atm at the very least).

I’m glad you brought back the exact amount of hours it took you in title. I understand that hours is subjective (amount of sidequest, skill level and getting lost) but I still think it’s a good thing to know for me. Also, awesome video, never been interested in farming simulators but this one looks like it might do it for me

I've been really on the fence about this game. Farming mechanics are normally not my thing but I'm so tired of open world games. It feels like every other game is open world. So I think I'll buy it because it's got a ton of positive reviews and I'm up for a "game changer" 👍

Super excited for this game it looks great. And what makes me even more hyped for this game is that it was made by only 2 people. That's crazy.

this game is a masterpiece! there is truly nothing like it out there! even after 3 years i replay it once a year at least! combat, story and rice farming are all just amazingly executed!

I've been looking forward to this game for this game for awhile now, it's interesting to see that the farming mechanics are so deep and it honestly makes me more curious to have a go at it! Fantastic review man!

I genuinely want a remake of Muramasa because I'm buying this game on Sunday or Saturday because of how much I love the art style and combat.

Wow the farming mechanics are WAY more intense than I ever expected 😳 Did you feel like it was a hindrance to enjoying the game or did it eventually pay off in fun ways?

Fitting channel name for me. When I learned of the game I instantly bought it but it got stuck in my backlog. Well, I finally started it and it confirmed my intuition. I really love this game. For me the rice planting is the main part and the fights secondary. So, since rice is the basis for sakunas power, I was always super strong and did not have big issues. Only one fight is left but to get there you had to clear the game anyway. Awesome game, lovely story, sweet characters, awesome graphics and brilliant soundtrack. When the ending scene played I felt very “emoi” like the Japanese say. This game is not a gem, it’s a diamond.

Just picked this up for 12,99 euros. Had no idea what the game was about, but I liked the screenshots and cover art. Looks great! Looking forward to playing it.

Oh man this game... I would absolutely have no patience for it, going back and fourth home when it's dark because the enemies will get more stronger and to have dinner just to replenish your health due to the lack of healing items, and exploring as many areas as you can just to go further, it just causes way too much stress, exhaustion, and frustration

This game made me teary eyed a couple of times, it was really fun and has a lovely found family trope

Thanks to your in-depth review I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm so excited to start playing now.

As usual your review is super detailed and gives me exactly the info I wanna hear compared to the others!!

I don't usually comment on RU-vid game reviews. But man GREAT CONTENT! Subscribed and I hit the bell.

I’ve been a fan of farming games for a long time so that’s what interested me initially & then combat was second. Mine comes tomorrow so I’m excited to give it a go & see if I get frustrated with the farming. I have a lot of patience but sometimes you never know lol but I can’t wait to form my own opinion on this game because it seems awesome & ive been dying to try it! Great review 🥰🥰🥰

This Game, Doom Eternal and Streets of Rage 4 are the best of the year for me

This is such underrated and under appreciated game I bought it and not only was the physical release top quality as was the incredible gameplay

I just got the platinum for this game today, fantastic game and hope they make a sequel for it, definitely a hidden gem.

This game looks really interesting, I love the art style, and the combat looks fun, but I’m still a little iffy on the farming mechanics...looks a bit tedious. I’ll most likely still check this game out eventually though. Thanks for the review !

Great video! Love how you take the casual and hardcore gamer in consideration when you recommend.

Really interesting and unique setup for a game. I was a bit late to the game finding out about this one, but looking forward to picking up a copy this Christmas. Thanks for the great in-depth review.

I have mastered the rainment and the ultimate skill: rising carp

Hello! I love your content, been here since Atelier Ryza! Keep up the great work!

Just stumbled across this review. I used to listen to your podcast some years ago (forgot to re-subscribe after an app change: this is a reminder for me): glad to see you're still producing content. Nice review.

Gonna go and pick my copy today, at first i had my doubts about the game but after this review, im interested about this game, is my first time watching a game like this

OOookay this video sells it for me. Didnt even know this game has farming and i massive fan of SoS/HM/RF Srsly Great Video

So ive been playing for a few days, and just realized that if you double press left or right on the d pad or joy stick it actually does a little dash 🤯

I'm rly glad I found this game with a RU-vidr promoting it. I love it

This game certainly has me intrigued. I just started playing No Man’s Sky two days ago, and haven’t been able to put this game down. It’s taken me about 12 hours for the game to come together for me.. I can’t believe how awesome this shyt is. I think I’ll probably pick up Sakuna, I’m needing something to keep me occupied until I can get my hands on a PS5.. I was screwed over for a PS5, and now I’m sitting here with Demons Souls remake and no console. Decent review 👍🏻

Thanks for this; you showed me exactly what I needed to see! I'd been looking at this since it was announced, and you just saved me a chunk of change; this one's not for me.

Never played a farming game and I have seen the comments saying that its not a good idea to start with this, but its TOO LATE!! Sakuna is downloading on my Switch right now and will go up on my channel!! XD!! Excited to play this!! Great review as always Alex 👍

Great review as always! I can't believe how deep the farming stuff is. I was figuring it would be more along the lines of Harvest Moon, but this looks quite deep....Might have to give this a go.

Super helpful review, thanks! 😊

stumbled upon the channel while looking for atelier ryza info and stayed for the good content ^^won a new loyal sub.

One thing even tho sakuna's food meter is full you still wont regenerate health out of combat without the food buff natural healing.

While I am getting the game day one wouldn't be playing soon but as soon as i clear mile morales and sackboy i'll be trying this on my ps5 good job alex

As soon as you said VanillaWare, I was sold.

Great review dude! Have to agree that the collision damage makes the combat feels extra fun, especially when fighting big groups that would otherwise overwhelm you. Kind of a shame that the raiment skills themselves feel worthless in comparison to the combat skills, but I'm glad the raiment dodge doesn't cost any SP :D

I expected : an action game with some Harvest Moon elements thrown in. I got : Rice Farming Simulator 2020 with some action thrown in. 11/10 not disappointed at all. This is awesome!

Just bought it today to have a more casual, relaxed game to play after work.

I’m excited for the game. I love the design of the characters and enemies. I’m curious to know if in the end you found the farming to be a deeply rewarding endeavour?

Me: Huh... So it’s a Rice Farming Sim? During: Need to plant more rice... After: I need more Rice!

Another great review for the books. I'm happy this game came out better than giraffe and anika. It definitely got a place in my Backlog so I can hopefully play it early next year.

Interesting! Perhaps this comparison isn't quite right, but just from watching and listening to an explanation, the gameplay loop reminds me a bit more of something like the Monster Rancher series back on the PS1/PS2. Mainly, the reliance on stat-building in the "sim" part of the game that directly affects performance/longevity in the exploration portion; including time and seasonal constraints/upgrades that help to form the scalability of the game. I was definitely expecting a gameplay loop more along the lines of Rune Factory, but based on this, I think I can get behind what Sakuna is doing here!

I went into the game for the combat and story and was a bit apprehensive about the farming side tbh as its not something I tend to enjoy but I have actually really enjoyed that side a lot more than I anticipated and I like how it slowly helps you as Sakuna herself gets better at it. Combat however while good is a bit undercooked imo the trouble is it locks you in animations way to often and while you can cancel out and use the garment at certain points quite often you will just get hit which is made worse by some wonky hitboxes on enemies and the games tendency to drop inputs at certain times usually when you are on uneven platforms. Also not sold on how they have incorporated the parry system it just does not mesh well with the amount of enemies on screen and the lack of visual and audio tells of when exactly you will be hit. Basically its competent but not good enough to sustain a game on its own which luckily it doesnt have to. I have also encountered what I assume to be a bug where even when fully fed I do not recover health and no there are no enemies anywhere near me which coupled with the above can make it a nightmare in certain areas. I am just hoping that it will lift if I eat something that accelerates my healing more because if not I would have to go back quite a way to a past save and that would suck. Loving it though despite above annoyances and issues and having a few graphical bugs i.e areas loading in a wrong season then screen going black and reloading to correct one which pushes you across the screen for some bizarre reason.

I enjoyed this game but the progression model made it too arduous to finish. By hour 10 I was dragging myself to get my exploration level up by a %here and there to progress the story.

I think you are not doing it right when it comes to farming. There is a whole system in taking care of it. Ankle high water is only when it has to take root. After that you have to lower the water a lot when it start to grow. And when the ears appear, that's when you cover it in deep water. Do not harvest and dry when it's raining and do it before winter arrive. During summer you have to keep looking out for the rice because if it's too hot, you must increase water or have the water flowing by opening both gate and this depend also on what stage your rice are in. Then you have the fertilize that you have to keep in mind.You have to use the 3 different fertilize in 3 stages of your rice. Not to mention you have to find frogs and spider to release to make sure it help with it growth. The most important thing is to keep checking the status of your rice. It will tell you in which stage it is and by reading the cultivation scrolls you will know which action to take. If you literally does everything right along like planting it correctly, giving the well balance of water and temp, weeds out, fertilize the soil correctly, then in just 1 year, your stats boast gain are ridiculous high.

This game just arrived on my mail. Can't wait. (I'll pause my Fire Emblem run first) PS. What is the music at the end of your video?

Awesome review and tempted to get this game!!! I feel this game will be a rare physical classic. altho RU-vid is giving u gremlins. The end of the video . There is no video where it's recommended . It's just a blue screen with the " We think you'll like this video! Or you can try this one!". (Thought u wanna know)

I can't wait to farm rice. Is it bad that I'm super hyped for that?

Oddly enough I only know of this game due to Smash Bros. Sakuna was a name thrown around in the rumor Mill during speculation times. In the end it seems that quite a handful of properties published by Marvelous Games got in; Daemon X Machina, Sakuna, and Travis Touchdown all got in as spirits and a Mii for Mr Touchdown. I'm currently on the second major area of the game, year 4 I believe. Curious to see how the rest of this game plays out. Got this alongside Warioware back in September. Managed to get a couple of friends to buy it too. Nice video, glad to see more exposure for this title.

Game is fun. I like the art and style. Graphics are nice and animation is smooth so far. I got my copy today. Got the Divine edition

Guys I’m stuck on “eat a traditional Ventania mea” i dunno what to do i bout food from the capital also didn’t work

Wow and here I thought this was a Nintendo exclusive. I def want this for my switch but finding a physical copy is near to impossible

The game is really interesting But the farm is really scary I love farming games but this is the first one to go so deep into the farming aspect, for me

Yaaasss! I just bought this game. I had to purchase the collector's edition though because the "regular" version was sold out :( i know ill never use the extra crap that it comes with but oh well im just happy to have the physical copy of the game because im one of those weirdos who needs the physical copy. Im super excited to play it even though it looks a little complicated for my simple brain.

Can't wait til mine comes in the mail!

Your review is so much better than the others'

Soild review as normal. Made me buy the game. 100% worth full price.

I bought the deluxe edition of this game for Switch and really hyped to play it... Unfortunately it came out the same time as Spider-Man Miles Morales, and the Spidey fan in me had to play that game first. But this is definitely next in the line up.

i’m watching this because it’s on sale right now and i loved muramasa the demon blade and it’s sadly not on ps4 but this looks similar in combat

Can't wait to have my copy😁

This game is pretty fun. I started playing yesterday. The only thing that bothered me about the rice farming was the camera movements. Other than that its pretty simulating.

I'm so excited to play this when it releases on Steam tomorrow.

Did any updates/patches post review smooth over any issues or is it essentially still the same as reviewed?

My Divine Edition of the game just came in last night, so I'm looking forward to trying it out when I've got enough of my schoolwork done and when I'll allow myself to start another game lol. I'm really surprised at how in-depth the farming mechanics actually are. While I would like a bit more information to begin with, I also have noticed that for me, too much information at the beginning just goes straight over my head and I need more hands-on experience so I can then learn what the instructions are actually talking about. Thank you!

Thanks for the review.

still cant believe this game wasnt part of the western nintendo direct when it was shown in the japanese one. Found it by chance through a youtuber who mostly covers indi games and thought it looks pretty good. 80 hours of fun and still a bit of stuff to do for the completionist in me dont lie :) this game is great and alot of fun

Do you know around how many hours this game need to finish the story line? Also, are there other activities like side missions as example? Thanks for the video, I subscribe. Keep it going, you will get a lot followers very quickly!

will definitely be picking this up to play before cris tales drops

Hi there! Thanks for the video! I was wondering if the English release has other language options on the cart? Was hoping to play it in Japanese or Chinese. Thank you!

So being this my first ever try of a farming game probably wasn't a good decision, i knew that the farming aspect wasn't going to be minimum but it's basically the pillar of the game, still interested in it thought. I heard before that when you start a game you can decide the level of difficulty in Farming and in combat, did you try that? Maybe is different feel you tailor the game more focused in combat.

question : does this game have a trophy guide ? i searched but none comes up ... i have this game but still dont understand how it works

U deserve more subs.

How hard is it for a gaming noob? Is it too much to frustrate a noob or is there enough to keep them interested?

looks fun it also makes me think of ys8 for some reason now with sakuna cold steel 4 and kingdom hearts melody its gonna be hard to get that all done this month though

Can I ask if the non-sidescrolling areas are limited to the farm only?and is the farm/village area large or just a small piece of land?

Hey if I can play Rune factory 4 and get enough fun out of farming and then play Okami for the sole reason of being a sun doggy goddess then Sakuna is up my alley. I will admit that the rice mechanics, when compared to say Harvest Moon and Rune Factory is more blind and you figure this out on your own to make rice which is scary I will admit but this game looks to be charming and the characters look to be interesting including our banished goddess. Music sounds beautiful and overall, I will keep an eye on this one.......when I am not too busy with Age of Calamity of course lol. Soild review!

Thank you for the review, I'm already waiting for the game! the sahce you mentioned that the grid is only activated after 2 years for optimal placement of the rice. could you actually see more or less that she has gained more experience in the 2 years, and just knows how to do it properly? (would be what I would think if I heard the review) in general, the game looks very chilled out i'm looking forward to getting it as soon as i have money ^^ "

I'm saving money for this game :") you'r review got me so exited

How do I drain the water from my field?? Help, I opened both sides to test what happens and they both added more water instead of releasing some

Im crazy confused when will that game come out? Some Website say today others say 20.Nov . Is it already out?

Does anybody know how long is the actual gameplay, like the main story?

Does this game run smooth on the Switch? I would like to play this game on the go but if it is rough then might get it for PC or Ps4

Does the game has an endgame? For example, I'd love to play it indefinitely like most other farming games.

Arghhhh i hate how i cant plant the rice straight

Why was this game compared to Odin Sphere? Curious. I'm curious about anything related to Odin Sphere. Lol.

Man this was almost perfect, if only the combat was as fluid as muramasa

My most anticipated review since 13 sentinels.

How much was this game? I'm guessing $29.99.

what the best should buy on ps4 or switch version??

Wait a second, Edelweiss developed this? You mean the same people behind the amazing Ether Vapor and Astebreed?