Game of the Year 2020: 'Spiritfarer' (Thunder Lotus Games)

I don’t do one of these every year. I’m not a big gamer. I enjoy games, and usually have at least one game on the go. But I don’t play enough to get through that many each year, and I don’t like to force a “Game of the Year” if nothing really jumped out at me. 

Some years, however, I discover games like Thunder Lotus Games’ Spiritfarer. 

Spiritfarer is a indie sandbox management sim game. More importantly, it’s a narratively driven, adorably animated experience that will draw you into its warm, comfortable embrace only to hold you down and punch you in the feels over and over again. 

You play as Stella, a young girl with a big hat and a pet cat called Daffodil, who is chosen to take over from Charon as the ferryman of the dead. Your job is to sail the ocean of the afterlife, upgrading your ship, find lost spirits, help them wrap up their final unresolved business, then finally escort them to the Everdoor, the gateway to their Final Rest. 

But underneath all this, there is a steak of darkness that you can’t quite forget. At its core, this is a game about facing and accepting death. And there are enough questions to keeps you guessing as to what’s truly going on. Why has Stella been chosen for this task? If this is the afterlife, doesn’t that mean Stella is dead too? How come every Spirit she finds seems to be someone personally connected to her?

I mean, who doesn't look at this image and immediately want to spend a summer evening like this?

So, in a nutshell, this is game where you meet people, get to know them on an emotional level, learn exactly how important they are to you, and them watch as they leave you forever. 

Ouch. My feels…

I defy anyone playing this game not to feel a sudden sinking sensation each time a character comes to Stella, telling her they are ready to pass on. I admit there might be people who feel nothing at these moments, but those are people who are dead inside. 

Fun Fact: I bought this for my sister on her birthday, leading to a series of texts over the next few weeks along the lines of “Now [Character X] has done [Action Y]. Great, now I’m crying!”

Spiritfarer is a relatively simple game, all told. You’re not going to find any great challenge, and while there’s plenty to get done there’s no punishment for taking your time. In face, the entire experience feels a little like being on holiday as you sail between beautifully drawn islands with your collected crews of friends and family. You’re looking after them, sure, but the adorable art style never leaves you thinking Stella is anything other than super enthusiastic for what she’s doing. 

It’s the air style that really pushes this game from “good” to “Amazing”. The reviewer who put me onto this game likened it to one of those hand drawn Belgian animations that every so often become popular when they win a bunch of awards. It’s lush, and comfortable, and so full of joy you never get tired watching Stella repeat the same actions over and over. 

And if you can watch any of the hug animations and not feel warm inside then please tell me who hurt you. 

I fell in love with this game from the very beginning. It’s the sort of game you can pick up anytime, just lose yourself in it without focusing on any particular goal, and then come out of it feeling both refreshed and productive. It’s feel-good, but with that tint of melancholia that prevents it from becoming cloying. 

It’s on most consoles, so if you’re looking for something to keep you going/distracted through New Year / new lockdown, I heartily recommend it. 

Did any of you play Spiritfarer this year? Let me know what you thought. 

And what are you indie game recommendations from 2020? Let me know.