A surprising blend: demanding side-scrolling action on one side, meticulous rice farming on the other. The better your paddies, the stronger the heroine grows. Combat is punchy and the farming loop oddly addictive. A wild idea that holds together.
Your verdict
Category
Action RPG1 player7+
Description
A harvest goddess grows rice and clears cursed islands of their demons. Published by XSEED, released worldwide in 2020. Deep rice farming that strengthens the heroine, combat with a celestial scarf, side-scrolling exploration and a Japanese folk-flavoured score.
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
4/5
Story
★★★★★
"Captivating"
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Easy"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Two games live side by side: demanding action-platforming and rice farming of near-documentary precision. Every harvest strengthens Sakuna and lures you into another season, while cooking, crafting and exploring the cursed land stretch the loop. Mastering rice to win becomes a slow obsession, and it's that rare balance that holds you for dozens of hours.
Technical info
💾3 GB📅10/11/2020
Published by XSEED
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin (Nintendo Switch) price, value & rarity
An unlikely marriage of meticulous rice farming and snappy 2D action, this title pits the goddess Sakuna against corrupted spirits and broad-moving demons. The grappling scarf and aerial combos allow thrilling mobility against foes that fill the screen. Japanese folklore and harvest-driven power growth give these fights a unique, tense flavor.
An underrated gem
Few games dare make rice farming the core of their progression, and that unlikely marriage of 2D action and meticulous farming sim is what sets it apart. From a modest studio, it first looked too austere to break through against bigger action-RPGs. Its addictive loop and folk-inspired soundtrack make a warm success for patient lovers of deep systems.
Is Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin still worth playing in 2026?
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin weds two worlds you would not expect together, and that is its strength. On one side, a surprisingly deep, almost documentary rice farming where every harvest step concretely strengthens the heroine. On the other, a brisk, satisfying 2D beat-em-up carried by the celestial scarf that serves as weapon and traversal tool. The Japanese folklore, the inspired soundtrack and the contrast between peaceful farm and cursed islands create a singular rhythm. The rice grind can tire. But this unique proposition has aged very well and stays memorable today.
