There’s even a spirit, Summer, whose whole character arc is coming to terms with the ecological impact of her chemical-laden engineering for corporate farms. (perhaps a not-so-subtle jab at the raccoon-like Nook family in Animal Crossing), participates in a union protest with Astrid (one of the spirits who Stella helps make their final crossing) and is regularly chastised or advised by other characters for simply accepting the state of affairs set up by the monolithic corporation (think of Beverley, who scoffs at you if you don’t at least try bargain hunting once). Throughout the game, despite having access to the usual store stalls one finds in many action games and RPGs, the player is often made aware of the gouging prices of Raccoon Inc. Spiritfarer’s central themes reflect this movement’s brief, focusing on death-positivity and nurturing a community are also accompanied by strong currents of anti-capitalism, an emphasis on maker/DIY culture and promoting sustainability. With that in mind, Spiritfarer’s narrative design is uniquely solarpunk not only in tone, but in structure as well. When I realized that I wasn’t attached to the game’s death-positive narrative so much as I was attached to the ethos I perceived behind its narrative design, I decided to explore those feelings and realized the root of it: Spiritfarer is perhaps one of the most authentic solarpunk games out there today.įor those unaware, solarpunk is a movement that’s arisen in the past several years that seeks, through speculative fiction, aesthetics and activism to answer the question of how a truly sustainable world could become our reality. not to mention a casual representation of a dark-skinned protagonist (which I appreciate even if Stella does fall rather squarely into the Ambiguously Brown category of representation). Gorgeous whimsical cotton candy sunrises and moody sunsets with Ghibli-esque cumulonimbus clouds, stylized animated characters that hearken back to golden age Disney and forward to surreal bandes dessinées or French comics which also often contain stories that don’t shy away from existential themes.

And Spiritfarer has both of these elements in spades. As a game critic, I’m most preoccupied with the storytelling and aesthetic aspects of games that are inspired by other literature and media.

I don’t like Spiritfarer for the reasons I thought I would. Wait, I should back that up real quick before someone sounds the alarm. If you like what you see, grab the magazine for less than ten dollars, or subscribe and get all future magazines for half price.Īnalyzing the digital and analog feedback loop. This column is a reprint from Unwinnable Monthly #148.

Spiritfarer favorite recipes