Bibliographic Information:
Title: Spiritfarer
Developer: Thunder Lotus Games
Publisher: Thunder Lotus Games
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, and Stadia.
Copyright Date: 2020
Genre / Format of the Title: Sandbox Action / Video Game
Awards or Honors: None as of the publication of this post, nominated for many awards.
Interest Level: Teen+ (ESRB)
Plot Summary: You wake up as Stella with her loyal cat Daffodil on a strange boat with a strange figure, only to find out that you are the new Spiritfarer: a guide to help souls come to terms with their deaths and guiding them onto the next stage. As you play you learn new skills (like jumping, gliding, and bouncing), meet new characters (some of whom you knew in your own life but do not fully remember until later!), and craft recipes as you explore the map. You’ll even begin to learn why you were in this world in the first place, and why you (Stella) were chosen to become the Spiritfarer at all. This is considered a sandbox game, meaning that while there are quests to fulfill you can take your time and explore the world gathering supplies and creating your ideal ship to help you in your journey. Don’t forget to fish, grow crops, and follow the side quests to have a full and complete game! Fair warning, there are some parts and storylines that may make you emotional!
Creator Background: Spiritfarer is a game created by Thunder Lotus Games, an indie, Montreal based company with only 34 employees!
Founder of Thunder Lotus Games, Will Dubé, left his job at a different video game company in 2014 to pursue the creation of his own game, Jotun. Using Kickstarter to fundraise his financial backing, he was able to both get more money than he expected and release Jotun to critical acclaim, eventually selling one million copies. Dubé mentions that while the games Thunder Lotus has produced thus far all have a fixation on death in some way, it is because he wants people to know that it is not a taboo topic, but rather something that people can come to terms with (Valentine, 2019).
Critical Evaluation: No matter your video game prowess, Spiritfarer is a game that anyone can play and enjoy, and is easily completable within 40 hours of game play. The game gives what the player wants out of it: a simple, daily routine of growing crops and cooking food, or an emotional journey that at times will hit you at your core. The plotline weaves in tales that have a background in Stella’s life, while explaining such stories to make the player feel as though they know the characters as well. Spiritfarer is a great sandbox game due to the fact that it allows players to truly just explore and enjoy the functionality of the game without needing to focus on completing missions in a certain time frame, and includes multiple mini-games that can be revisited time and time again.
While there is a possibility of multiplayer function, there is no way to talk in game, so be sure to connect with friends via Discord prior to starting the game. Even so, I think this game is best played alone - namely due to the NPC storylines and how emotional they can get. While nothing ever becomes graphic, there are certainly plotlines of childhood abandonment/abuse, dementia, cancer, and abrupt death, which at times can feel overwhelming when playing the game. Perhaps the best part is even with these plotlines, the character you play helps ease their pain and helps them come to terms with their deaths. While Spiritfarer may take you on an emotional journey, it is certainly an entertaining one that I personally have revisited many times since purchasing it.
Creative Use for a Library Program: I think this game would be great for teens who want to get more into gaming, but do not have the hand eye coordination to play other games yet. The mechanics in Spiritfarer are simple enough that anyone can learn them, and over time will help them become a better gamer in general. As for being in a library program specifically: if the youth services division could have gaming nights, this would be a great one for the beginners class! It would definitely be meant for those slightly older (14+), but would be a nice way for beginning gamers to play together in a non-competitive game where they both learn on multiplayer. Spiritfarer early on does not have too much heavy content, so it also would not bring the mood down either. Anyone who ends up enjoying playing the game could borrow it, and continue to play it with the new friends they made.
Speed-Round Recommendation: It’s time to build your boat, learn some skills, and help some NPCs cross the River Styx - that’s right, it’s time to accept your fate as the Spiritfarer! Whether you’re searching quarries for treasure, fishing for food, or simply sailing the seas looking for souls who need help crossing over, it’s your job to keep your ship sailing and those souls content. As simple as the game may seem, the emotional complexity may be the most challenging part - so, are you ready to become the Spiritfarer?
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation: The game certainly deals with the difficult topic of death, and there will definitely be those who are not okay with breaching this topic. Information and explanation is key: knowledge is power, and a video game is a great way to ease into the concept without dealing with in-life issues. Those totally against the game will be shown why it is rated for teens and not for mature audiences, and how the game itself is not graphic with death nor explanations of the deaths of the characters.
Reason for Inclusion: The game came out in August of 2020, in the middle of the Pandemic, and became an overnight hit. It deals with a difficult topic that can be seen as taboo, but uses beautiful storytelling and graphics to make death seem approachable, and serves as a reminder that those who leave us do not want to, but feel the dread of leaving us too.
Enhancements:
Watch the trailer and download a free demo to see if you'd enjoy playing Spiritfarer!
References:
Spiritfarer. ESRB Ratings. (n.d.). https://www.esrb.org/ratings/37221/spiritfarer/
Valentine, R. (2019, July 11). Spiritfarer wants to talk to you about death. GamesIndustry.biz.
Commentaires