Recent reviews by CupK8

Farming Sims are one of my core game genres. I'm always looking for games that do something different. I recommend SunnySide because it is different! Modern technology, a complex homestead and gardening system, and skill trees for a large variety of skills. I would not recommend SunnySide if this is your first farming or similar simulation game - there is trial and error and some knowledge needed to look for some standard things. If you are pretty new, my advice is to follow the tutorials carefully and do the quests! Most gameplay is locked behind quests. Also, read your skill tree carefully. I got frustrated because I wanted to do something I hadn't unlocked yet - if only I'd read the skill tree I would have saved myself a lot of stress!

There are still bugs, though I haven't had any crashes since release. Mostly things getting stuck, some graphical glitches, and a few pieces of missing text. If those things would frustrate you, this is not the game for you.

With the above caveats, if you're looking for a game with complexity that will take you a LONG time to complete, with a jazzy soundtrack and pretty landscape, I do recommend it! It is the kind of game to breathe and take your time with.

I am currently only a third of the way through completing this game, but feel I can give a solid recommendation based on what I have played so far.

Pros:
- replay value is high - I'm at 40 hours, and feel like there's a lot I haven't discovered, and characters I haven't really gotten to know because they're locked away in another route.
- gorgeous game - the visual and aural design of the game creates a fluid, dynamic experience. The battle scenes are actually exciting to watch, even with everyone being 2D figures.
- storytelling - YMMV, depending on taste, but I found the storytelling extremely compelling. I was invested in the characters, I wanted them to succeed, and I was happy that the choices I made affected not only what happend to the MC, but affected the events in the timeline as well. That's not always the case with otome, but good otome changes the universe.
- humor/drama balance - there's a lot of tragedy, but a lot of humor. I thought the balance was well done here. Even if you're not on a particularly positive route (there are some that are more depressing than others), there are moments you can't avoid that lighten the mood. We get to laugh with these characters as well as grieve with them.

Cons:
- if you don't like history, you might find this a bit dry. I personally loved that they connected the game to real historical events.
- there is some repetition in the main events of the story. Fortunately, the game allows you a way to skip through those bits, or you can do what I do and give your brain a rest before returning. For my personal experience, I have been able to see the scenes differently depending on what else I have experienced in the playthrough I'm on.
- incomplete - this game gives an incomplete experience. I do think it is necessary to play Edo Blossoms and continue the story directly after. Kyoto Winds will not give you a resolution, but I don't think I would have been connected to the characters in Edo Blossoms nearly as much if I hadn't played Kyoto Winds first.

I do recommend this game, with the caveat that you should follow it up with Edo Blososms, and give yourself time to sink into it. For those who love a little bit of historical fiction, this should be right up your alley.