In Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, players take on the role of Sakuna, a proud yet lonely harvest goddess who is banished to a dangerous island with a group of outcast humans. Sakuna tames the island by defeating demons using farm tools as weapons while also making ample use of her “celestial scarf,” a magical item that allows her to grapple distant enemies and platforms. Along the way, she establishes a home in a mountain village, which serves as a base of operations for crafting weapons and cooking food.

Additionally, as a harvest goddess, she grows rice by following a detailed process that encompasses everything from planting to harvesting. Through this process, across each of the four seasons, she’s able to improve the harvest and hone her battle skills alike.

The painstakingly researched storyline incorporates Japanese history and legend, with its heroine facing off against numerous types of demons, great and small, as she traverses detailed landscapes rich with the iconography of classic Japanese mythology. A love letter to Japanese culture, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is also an ode to the artistry of cultivating rice, and features an engrossing simulation of the craft behind the agriculture.

XSEED Games announced that digital pre-orders for both the standard and the digital deluxe edition are now open for Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin on the PS4 via the PlayStation Store. The special theme image revealed today featuring the titular harvest goddess, Sakuna, is available only as a pre-order incentive for both versions exclusively on the PlayStation Store.

Digital pre-purchase for the base game is also available for Nintendo Switch system via the Nintendo eShop, while Steam is offering both a digital deluxe version in addition to the standalone game.

The digital deluxe edition for PS4 includes the base game, 42-track digital soundtrack, 4 exclusive PS4 themes, and a set of 9 avatars for $49.99. The Steam version of the digital deluxe edition includes a digital version of the 130-page artbook and the digital soundtrack for $54.99.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will release with two retail editions for PS4 and Nintendo Switch; a standard retail release priced at $39.99 and a special “Divine Edition” priced at $59.99.

Both versions will be available for pre-order soon on the XSEED Games Store and participating retailers.

Key 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.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin will launch in North America for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, and worldwide for PC on November 10, 2020.