A sidescrolling hack and slash combined with a farming simulator

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is an unusual combination of a sidescroller hack and slash/beat ‘em up and a farming simulation. During the game, the player will take on hordes of demons in their quest, all the while returning to the mountain village where they live to tend their fields of rice.

The unusual mix of gameplay elements in this game makes it somewhat difficult to compare to other games. It could be likened to Stardew Valley in some respects. However, Sakuna’s combat elements are more akin to games similar to Trine 3: The Artifacts of Power.

Recover a celestial birthright

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin centers around a spoiled harvest goddess who has been banished from her home to an island that is overrun with demons. She must fight the monsters and cultivate rice — the source of her power — to reclaim her birthright.

Fighting and farming

The combat aspect of Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is quite straightforward, and many players have reported that it is fun and accompanied by a leveling-up system. The bulk of the game is taken up by the farming aspect, however. The game is backed by a constant soundtrack that sets the tone for the gameplay.

An unusual mixture of gameplay styles

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin doesn’t just mix fighting and farming, but it also mixes 3D gameplayer and 2D sidescrolling. It should be noted, however, that the balance of the gameplay is heavily on the side of farming, so players looking for a fighting game may be disappointed with Sakuna: of Rice and Ruin.