Death is something that, often, we try to avoid in every way, shape, and form. It's discomfort; cold and cruel. It often greets us when we least expect it with open arms, touching those around us suddenly, ruthlessly, without mercy- and leaves a trail of Emptiness and Despair in it's wake. Often we associate thoughts of Death as something quick, cold and calculating. However, despite SpiritFarer: Farewell Edition being almost entirely about Death, and many of the emotions it entails, it is really none of the afore mentioned things. While it may be wrapped in a beautifully gorgeous hand drawn facade, it's written in a way that strikes to the core that, for some, may be difficult to sit with and digest. So be forewarned, though absolutely crafted in one of the most masterfully artful ways, the meat and bones behind what some may see as just another "cozy game" is anything but.

Even with understanding, Death is always daunting.

Outwardly, SpiritFarer looks to be another management game, absolutely ideal for that "cozy gamer" genre. Gorgeous graphics, warm bright stunning colours and an amazingly easy to look at signature art style, with a phenomenally entrancing sound track make this so INSTANTLY devourable. And then, the mission itself seems simple enough. Almost TOO simple:
Ferry the Souls  to the Everdoor when they are ready.
But you tend to forget what that really means, between planting crops, tending to all of your plants, trees, and cows. And don't forget to build them a place to stay- they can't just stay in your guesthouse FOREVER, now can they? It's easy to forget someone is "Ready to Go" when that damn sheep keeps eating all your carrots. Distractions, all wrapped in velvet. Until you bring them one of their favourite food dishes (even spirits need to eat, you know?) and they give you a gentle reminder. It's sobering. All the stories they shared, all the questions they've asked. All the little favours. The smiles and laughs. And then, sooner then you might think, they all vanish, leaving you with only a single beautiful flower, and an empty room.

They know that, eventually, the time to make the journey to the Everdoor will come. But all the memories made will still be there.

At it's core, SpiritFarer is management game. It has the farming sim and cooking elements. It has the relationship building, the "home crafting". It's even a collect-a-thon in it's own way. You can lose yourself harvesting resources, and playing little minigames. But it is something much bigger, with a much deeper message. It is something you experience, slowly, at your own pace. It really isn't a game you can rush (...Even if you want to. And if you managed to, I would think you would end up immensely burned out- I don't recommend it at ALL. In this case, the grind really is part of the journey) And some of those things I really can't spoil. Everything from a GAMEPLAY standpoint, while a little tedious, is made to be that way intentionally.

All your passengers need some basics. Communication, food, shelter. You may have a guest house, but you can't keep everyone there forever.

This is a game that is meant to take you some time. Just tedious enough without being entirely overbearing or entirely frustrating. That being said, much of the progression is locked behind crafting and gathering (or in some humorous events, a Reddit post that may or may not be a running joke) to upgrade your ship, to find characters or build homes on your ship to convince them aboard. All of that builds this illusion of comfort- and some of it is there, but the reality of the story will still be evident. While I'm fully aware this is a very "beat around the bush" review, it really is something best not spoilt, and something that someone chooses to embark on. From a functional game standpoint, it's absolutely what it needs to be. The music and art elevate that, but the story is what makes it exceptional.

Along the way, you'll meet a whole range of characters. Some will absolutely be more annoying (but still as loveable) as others.

Ultimately, if you are wiling and able (-and enjoy!) a long, casual stroll through what looks like a cozy game, this might be for you. The obvious caveat to that being, and I say this with the utmost seriousness: This is NOT a story for the faint-of-heart. There are a lot of really hard-to-swallow topics that get brought up through various characters. Some are heavily implied, while others are outright stated, but can range from abandonment to suicide, unfaithfulness and war, to terminal illness.  Despite this, it is part of what make Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition a unique and unparalleled journey, leaving players impacted in some of the most unexpectedly beautiful ways. Despite being just shy of 6 years old at this point, Thunder Lotus has crafted a gorgeous and unique experience that may not be for everyone, but it is one that is still relevant and meaningful today that is absolutely worth it for players seeking something different and thought provoking, all while being wrapped in a guise of a cozy game.