Spiritfarer

Spiritfarer is developed by Thunder Lotus Games, the Canadian studio known for surprising indie gems such as Jotun and Sundered. With this project it appears they decided to explore new horizons, shifting from violent metroidvania action to resource management and social mechanics. Some of the original bits are still present, however, such as 2D hand-drawn graphics, detailed animations and the fact that it’s inspired by mythology.

It all starts with Charon retiring and passing the responsibility of transporting spirits to the afterlife to a new spirit guide: Stella, the main protagonist of Spiritfarer. Overnight, Stella becomes the new ferrymaster to the deceased, and it is her mission is to ensure all the spirits on the boat are as comfortable as possible before passing to the other side.

Stella is not the only protagonist, however. The game can be enjoyed in co-op, thanks to Daffodil, a kitten who can perform the same actions as Stella. Should you choose to play alone, Daffodil will simply follow Stella and help her with her daily tasks.

Thunder Lotus Games present the Greek myth of Charon in a much subtler way than in Jotun, with its Norse mythology, or in Sundered, with its H.P. Lovecraft aesthetics. The fact that the first thing we see in Spiritfarer is the ferrymaster retiring gives a clear message: a change in authority means a change in the way things are to be done.

Stella is given the mission of transporting spirits to the afterlife. Early on, she makes the decision to turn this responsibility into a care role. As a result, spirits boarding her ship will be provided with everything they need to make their last days on Earth as comfortable as possible.

So then, caring for the spirits is entirely in your hands. The boat is where the spirits are transported from the world of the living to the world of the deceased, and it must be a pleasant experience. This is where management, construction and social aspects enter the game. Every spirit arriving on the boat has unique interests and it is up to you to make sure that their needs are met, whether that be comfort, food or companionship.

It is important to point out that Spiritfarer is not infinite. Spirits are not procedurally generated and so you cannot simply host as many spirits as you like on the boat.

As aesthetics go, Spiritfarer is a beautiful game to play – just like everything else Thunder Lotus has produced.

It's a heart-warming experience that deals with the subject of death in a natural way, while at the same time acknowledging it as a transcendental time for both the deceased and loved ones left behind. The blend of traditional management mechanics and its poignant message is genius. It’s a truly magical game to lose yourself in and any negative aspects are quashed by the game as a whole and its uniqueness.