Death is one of the more difficult things to deal with in life. It’s sometimes hard to broach in video games as well, especially for characters that players grow particularly fond of. Every once in a while, though, you have a game that deals with death in a warm manner.
Spiritfarer is this type of game. It centers around a ferrymaster, who is in charge of guiding souls across mystical seas where they can find their final resting place. The game was developed by Thunder Lotus Games and has shown a lot of potential thus far.
Those wanting to check it out no longer have to wait. It’s out now on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. There aren’t a lot of games out currently that mimic Spiritfarer.
For a game about death, it certainly has light-hearted visuals, music, and tones. It’s as if the developer wanted to soften the blow of death and instead focus more on what comes after death: Afterlife.
Spiritfarer centers around a young girl named Stella. She and her adorable cat, Daffodil are now in charge of Charon’s job and that’s to get souls across to the afterlife. If you’re familiar with Greek mythology, it’s the river Styx that the ferryman crosses into the underworld — at which point a token must be paid.
Spiritfarer follows the same sort of story, only this game is filled with cozy elements. It’s surprising how relaxed you feel moving throughout the environments and helping characters you’ve never met before.
The hand-drawn art and animation give this game a peaceful vibe that really keeps you at ease despite dealing with such a complex and difficult subject. As the ferryman, you’ll have the chance to build up your boat and manage it.
You’ll also be able to engage in all sorts of activities along each journey, such as fishing, mining, farming, weaving, and crafting. There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of things to do while you help NPCs to their final resting place.
Where this game really shines is its emotional content. Every person you help out in this game has some sort of emotional story. You’ll hear about them as you move across the beautiful waters, making lasting friendships that move you on a deeper level.
If you want to experience this game with a friend, you can because it’s co-op supported thanks to Daffodil the cat. You don’t come across these sort of games often, but when you do, they hook you in and leave lasting impressions.