SPIRITFARER

This game healed something in me.
No, I'm not being hyperbolic. This game seriously healed something. I've been my mom's caregiver for the past year. She was diagnosed with dementia a year ago, and it's progressed quickly. She's already at the end stage. So, we're dealing with hospice, and getting ready for the inevitable conclusion of this evil disease.
Since mom reached end stage, I've been in constant "doer" mode. I moved into her house, make sure she's fed, bathed, etc. That, coupled with countless doctors visits all over our part of the country, has wiped me out. I'm physically and emotionally drained. I haven't cried over the situation in months, and that's led to a lot of personal guilt.
When I moved into mom's house, I had to say goodbye to my PC, so I thought I would get a steam deck to play games in my downtime, if I ever had any. I heard about this game on TikTok, and I downloaded it. Seemed like a simple game, and I could pause it if mom needed me. Something to pass the time. It also deals with death and dying, so I figured it was a fitting game.
Boy, did I underestimate this game. Every character has an emotional storyline, and the conclusion of each storyline is even more emotional. But, there's one character that really reminded me of what I've been going through with mom. Those of you that have played this probably picked up right away on who I'm talking about. I finished her storyline early this morning, while it was still dark outside and before mom was awake. I haven't wept so hard in months. I'm not talking about crying a few tears. I'm talking full-blown, grown-man-ugly-crying. All those months of pent-up emotions, unconsciously put away so I could focus on mom, came to the surface in what I can only describe as the ultimate emotional release. I cried. I cried about that character. I cried about mom. I didn't realize how much I had been holding onto, but when I tell you that I feel physically lighter now, I mean it. There's no other way to describe it.
Thank you so much to the developers for this game. No game has ever had such a profound impact on me. I don't even typically like games like this! But, it's just the game I needed. I'll continue to play it, sitting next to mom every day, loving her and taking care of her, playing the role of "Spiritfarer" myself as my mom and I navigate this disease together ❤️❤️❤️

I played this with my daughter. It was an incredibly moving experience that brought us closer together and for that I will never be able to express enough gratitude for the devs who created it.
Definitely recommended, phenomenal game.

there is nothing worse than getting to meet all these lovely spirits, especially my beautiful boy Stanley, and remembering this is a game about death and i have to let them all go eventually..

As someone who has lost a person in their life, this game had me in tears almost every time I brought one of my spirits to the end of their journey. But in another way, it helped me process the grief I still have with me, and I thoroughly enjoyed playing the game, despite parts of it being slightly repetitive. Overall, a game I would come back to.

A very beautiful well made work of art with some of the best animation you'll ever see in a video game.
I'm not sure if any other reviewer has mentioned this yet as a pro to playing this game, but it can be totally played with only one hand. So if you're dealing with an injury this is a great game to play when you're one arm down.

When I first started playing this game, it was touch and go. I would play for like 20 minutes, get bored, and then put it away. I had heard amazing things, however, and that kept me coming back. I was hoping that, at some point, the spark would light.

Eventually, it did. Sooner or later in this game, there is a character that reminds you of someone from your own life. Then two, then more. Then, even the ones that you don't relate to personally feel more three-dimensional.

It's a fantastic game. I think you should play it.

I didn't want to end this game, so I stopped right before the last quest & didn't come back for a month or two. Today I brougt myself to finally finish it, and I absolutely sobbed.
I loved the entirety of it. On the one hand it was relaxing to play and somewhat cozy (despite the difficult subjects it revolved around), on the other hand it was so emotional at times that I had to just stop, stare at the wall and think. And don't even get me started about the characters, Atul and Stanley truly have my heart. I absolutely recommend.
There's only one thing I can complain about - by the end of the game some of the quests start to feel like fillers. Maybe it's the fact that I'm not a big fan of fishing, but Postscripta made me so extremely annoyed. I've decided to end my game without doing it, I might go back to finish it only to get a 100% completion, but for now I think I'll pass.