Sun Haven

Developer: Pixel Sprout Studios
Release: Mar 10th 2023
Platforms:
Adventure
Casual
Indie
RPG
Simulation
Addictive
Expansive
Cozy
Buggy
Controversial
Sun Haven Poster

" Charming adventure RPG with immersive farming and multiplayer, but plagued by bugs and crashes "

Sun Haven Review

Sun Haven is a pixel-art farming RPG blending cozy farm life with fantasy adventure, drawing frequent comparisons to Stardew Valley but offering more combat, magic, and exploration. Players appreciate its expansive world, multiple farms, extensive crafting, and flexible gameplay pacing, with a rich skill tree and a variety of romance options. The game offers a relaxing yet engaging experience with customizable characters, diverse NPCs, and multiplayer functionality. However, despite its solid foundation and charm, the game is plagued by numerous bugs, performance issues, and game-breaking glitches that frustrate many players.

Moreover, the developer's controversial business practices, such as removing mod support, overemphasis on cosmetic DLC, poor translation quality, and lack of credit to artists and contributors, have alienated portions of the community. While some praise the frequent content updates and depth, others criticize the developers for ignoring critical bug fixes and community feedback. Overall, Sun Haven has great potential but is currently marred by technical and ethical issues that limit its recommendation.

Highlights

Players praise Sun Haven's beautiful pixel art, expansive and immersive world, and engaging combat mechanics that surpass similar farming sims. The rich storyline with fantasy elements, diverse romance options, and detailed skill trees add depth to gameplay. Customization options for characters and farms, alongside multiplayer support, enhance replayability. The farming, crafting, and exploration systems are robust, and the game offers a relaxing yet addictive experience with many activities and seasonal events. Many enjoy the cozy atmosphere and magical setting, considering it a fresh take on the genre.

Criticisms

Common criticisms include numerous game-breaking bugs, frequent crashes, and severe performance issues even on high-end systems. The translation is often described as poor and confusing, with misleading GUI elements. Players report frustrating multiplayer desynchronization and lack of shared quest progression. The game is considered grind-heavy and sometimes overwhelming due to excessive content without proper categorization. Cosmetic DLC is viewed as excessive and sometimes locking desirable customization behind paywalls. Developers have been accused of ignoring community feedback, removing mod support, and unethical treatment of artists and staff, tarnishing the game's reputation.

Pros

  • Beautiful pixel art and vibrant, immersive fantasy world design.
  • Engaging combat system with skill-based progression and perks.
  • Expansive crafting and farming systems with many customization options.
  • Multiple farms and locations to explore and manage.
  • Diverse romance options with inclusive character choices.
  • Relaxing yet addictive gameplay pacing with adjustable day length.
  • Multiplayer mode enabling cooperative play with friends.

Cons

  • Numerous game-breaking bugs and frequent crashes frustrate players.
  • Poor translation quality leads to confusing and misleading text.
  • Multiplayer suffers from desynchronization and lack of shared progression.
  • Excessive grind with overwhelming amount of content and items.
  • Cosmetic DLC perceived as excessive and locking customization.
  • Developers accused of ignoring community feedback and bug fixes.
  • Removal of mod support limits community fixes and enhancements.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Build your farm and relationships with townsfolk, or forge ahead on a quest of magic, monsters, and dragons. Level up through a skill tree in 8 person multiplayer, or adventure solo!

Release Date Mar 10th 2023
Publisher Pixel Sprout Studios
Developer Pixel Sprout Studios
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (11,991)
86% Positive 14% Negative