Edelweiss, the indie team behind Astebreed, a game where war is waged in outer space against an alien race, has released details on a much more down-to-earth title. The game, called Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, which merges side-scrolling action with deep crafting and farming simulation, seems to echo the much more modern sentiment that the enemy is here among us.

In Sakuna, players assume the identity of the title protagonist, a harvest goddess who is exiled to a treacherous island with a group of outcasts. In her new surroundings, she must confront the dangers of the natural world while battling demons and setting up a new home. She must also defend her title by successfully harvesting rice.

Based on Japanese mythology, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin uses agriculture as an analogy of the defense of the planet. By using farm tools as weapons, Sakuna must wage war against an army of animal demons, a task aided by her celestial scarf — a magical wrap that enables her to tackle remote platforms and enemies.

The detailed 3D simulation game features a village where Sakuna can craft weapons, prepare food, and farm rice. The planting ritual, which extends throughout the seasons, will determine the success of the future harvest and ultimately decide Sakuna’s talent on the battleground.

The game is deeply rooted in history and legend with our heroine facing the numerous demons that inhabit the fabled landscape. Not merely a battle of good vs. evil, Sakuna is a deeply spiritual tale that delves deep into the human psyche.

There is a legend in Japanese culture that says the flesh of the animal is presented to the gods in exchange for an abundant rice harvest. It is also thought that magical power in animal blood encourages the growth of plants. Sakuna appears to expand that animal legend to encompass Earth-bound demons.

Nintendo has confirmed that Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will launch for PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam on November 10 in the United States and on November 20 in Europe. In the Japanese trailer above, we see there will be a special edition as well as a standard copy.

Source: XSEEDGames