I’ve been eagerly following Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin since I saw the artwork. After demoing the game a couple times, I went from mildly interested to totally focused on it. And I’ve been waiting for a while now for a firm release date for this promising looking title from Edelweiss. Well, today that wait seems to be over, as they’ve announced a worldwide release date this November!
But that’s not all. Since Sakuna is being published by Marvelous and XSEED, that means there’s gonna be amazing physical editions available as well. There’s gonna be a couple different versions for both PS4 and Nintendo Switch, though undoubtedly the MVP will be the Divine Edition. If you’re a fan of lush artwork, unique genre mixing and a focus on Japanese lore, keep reading for more details. I know I’m very excited to finally get my hands on the final version of Sakuna in early November!
XSEED Games Confirms Worldwide November Launch for Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin;
Retail Edition Available for Pre-Orders Now
Indie Development Team to Deliver Harvest Goddess’ Great Adventure onto Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®4, and PC on November 10
Torrance, Calif. – July 20, 2020 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., is excited to announce that the Action/Simulation game, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, will launch in North America for the Nintendo Switch™ system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and worldwide for Windows PC on November 10. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will release with two retail editions for PS4™ system and Nintendo Switch™; a standard retail release priced at $39.99 and a special “Divine Edition” priced at $59.99. Both versions are available for pre-order on the XSEED Games Store and participating retailers.
Brave heroine Sakuna charmed editors and gamers alike at E3 and left PAX fans wanting (and waiting) for confirmation of when they could join her on Hinoe Island. Developer Edelweiss has also been eagerly waiting for this moment, speaking for CG Artist Koichi and himself, Director Nal said:
“We’re elated to finally announce that Sakuna will be available worldwide in just a few months. So much care has been put into bringing our vision for Sakuna and her world to life. Five years ago it was just the two of us with a dream, then character artist Ryota Murayama-san and composer Hiroyuki Oshima-san joined, and now, we’re in the home stretch thanks to our partners. We are counting down the days until we can introduce you to Sakuna, her friends, the joy and serenity of traditional rice cultivation, and all of the demons she’ll defeat with her farming tools.”
The special “Divine Edition” for Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is fit for a young goddess, coming wrapped in a custom outer box with exclusive artwork. Inside will be the retail edition of the game on the respective platform, a large 8.2” x 5.8” artbook with over 130 pages of illustrations and concept art from the title, a full OST of 42 songs on 3 CDs, and a special 2” x 3” Japanese omamori charm to bring owners good luck in combat and farming.
Developed by Edelweiss, the two-man team behind acclaimed indie darling Astebreed, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin combines side-scrolling action with deep crafting and farming simulation. Players take on the role of Sakuna, a spoiled harvest goddess banished to a dangerous island with a group of outcast humans. As she explores the beautiful yet forbidding environments of the island, she will also find a home in a mountain village, proving herself worthy of her title by harvesting rice and bettering the lives of humanity.
Features
- Refined Side-scrolling Platform Action‒ Using farm tools as weapons, chain together quick, heavy, and special attacks to take down demonic beasts, while mastering the magical “divine raiment” will be essential to grapple distant platforms, evade danger, and overcome powerful enemies.
- Detailed 3D Simulation-style Gameplay‒ Learn the ancient art of agriculture by following detailed steps from planting to harvesting to cultivate the perfect crop. As a harvest goddess, Sakuna’s strength grows with each successful rice crop, with attributes such as aesthetic and flavor directly correlating to her combat abilities.
- Creating a Home in the Wilderness‒ Sakuna’s mortal companions make weapons, armor, and meals for her using the materials and ingredients she gathers on her adventures, and completing quests for them will unlock even more options.
- A Fresh Take on Japanese Mythology‒ The heroine is part of a pantheon of gods and demons inspired by traditional Japanese mythology but featuring many unique twists. The story and world are filled with lovingly rendered details, some familiar and some completely original.
Developed by Edelweiss and to be published for the Nintendo Switch™ system and PS4™ system in North America and globally on Windows PC by XSEED Games, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin launches on November 10. The retail game is available for pre-order now in a standard and limited “Divine Edition” for $39.99 and $59.99, respectively, on the XSEED Games Store and participating retailers. The title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB for all three platforms. Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will also be published for the Nintendo Switch™ system and PS4™ system in Japan by Marvelous Inc. on November 12, and Europe by Marvelous Europe, Ltd. on November 20.
