Spiritfarer makes waves with its unique blend of gameplay and heartfelt narrative. Players step into the shoes of Stella, the supposed Spiritfarer, who befriends and cares for spirit passengers aboard her ship, guiding them towards closure before their final departure. It is a unique experience, but there are some other games like Spiritfarer that you can play.
This game beautifully marries management mechanics with touching storylines. Spiritfarer delves deep into acceptance, love, and loss themes. It’s a touching reminder of life’s fleeting nature, all packaged in visually stunning hand-drawn animation.
Related: 5 Best Upcoming Indie Games in 2024
1. Mutazione
Mutazione, with its lush hand-painted world and exciting narrative, beckons players into an adventure filled with secrets, mysteries, and the magic of human connection. When discussing games like Spiritfarer, Mutazione often stands out for its focus on relationship-building and character-driven storytelling.
As you navigate the game, you’re introduced to a unique community of characters, each with their own stories, set against the backdrop of a mutated world. Like Spiritfarer, Mutazione strongly focuses on emotional exploration and the depths of interpersonal relationships.
While Spiritfarer revolves around guiding spirits to the afterlife, Mutazione delves into the protagonist Kai’s journey as she visits her ailing grandfather and connects with the mutated community.
Both games beautifully touch on themes of friendship, healing, and acceptance. If you’ve been drawn to the soul-stirring narratives in games like Spiritfarer, Mutazione is a journey well worth undertaking.
Release Date: September 19, 2019
Developer: Die Gute Fabrik
Related: 7 Best Games Like Unpacking
2. Afterparty
Your main agenda is to outdrink Satan to secure your way out of hell in Afterparty. On the surface, partying in the inferno might seem worlds apart from peaceful spirit ferrying, but delve deeper, and the connections become apparent.
Games like Spiritfarer and Afterparty both weave narratives that go beyond the conventional, pulling players into stories filled with emotions, challenges, and unique takes on the afterlife.
While Spiritfarer tackles the touching journey of spirits finding closure, Afterparty adopts a more comedic yet equally deep exploration of friendship, choices, and personal demons in the face of eternity.
The heart of both games lies in their complex character development and the relationships you encourage along the way. Venturing through hellish bars or tranquil waters, the emotional impact remains consistent in games like Spiritfarer, making Afterparty a compelling experience for those drawn to story-rich adventures.
Release Date: October 22, 2020
Developer: Night School Studio
Related: 5 Best Netflix Games to Play
3. Cozy Grove
Cozy Grove transports players to an island filled with spirits, mysteries, and the daily routines of camping life. As a Spirit Scout, your task is to aid these spirits, each having their own tales and memories to share.
Much like the sensual journey in Spiritfarer, Cozy Grove delves into themes of companionship, memories, and the lingering echoes of the past. Games like Spiritfarer resonate deeply with those seeking narratives enriched with emotions, and Cozy Grove splendidly fits that niche.
Spiritfarer beautifully captures the essence of guiding souls to find peace, and in a similar vein, Cozy Grove revolves around helping spirits find solace on a seemingly haunted island. Crafting, fishing, and gathering are integral to both adventures, intertwined with character-driven stories that tug at the heartstrings.
Cozy Grove offers a delightful and touching exploration of the same themes for players enchanted by the soulful connections and peaceful pacing of games like Spiritfarer.
Release Date: April 8, 2021
Developer: Spry Fox
Related: 7 Best Games Coming in the Second Half of 2023
4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps transports players into a breathtaking world with vibrant landscapes, scary challenges, and a story of love and sacrifice. At its heart, the game follows Ori, a guardian spirit, navigating through intricate terrains, battling foes, and unravelling the forest’s mysteries.
While it might seem different in gameplay mechanics, when you bring up games like Spiritfarer, there’s a shared essence of emotionally driven narratives and exploration of bonds that Ori and the Will of the Wisps undoubtedly welcome.
Spiritfarer’s journey through the waters, guiding spirits to their final rest, draws players into its world with heartfelt moments and emotional depth. Similarly, Ori and the Will of the Wisps deliver a moving tale centred on saving a dying world and the connections Ori forges along the way.
The visual artistry, atmospheric music, and deep emotional undertones make both games an unforgettable experience. For those captivated by the touching narratives and mesmerising worlds of games like Spiritfarer, Ori’s adventure is a must-play.
Release Date: March 11, 2020
Developer: Moon Studios
Related: Best 7 Games of 2023 Thus Far
5. The Last Campfire
The Last Campfire unravels a tale of hope, discovery, and redemption as players guide a lost ember through a sad world, seeking a way back to its rightful place. This puzzle-adventure game by Hello Games is filled with intricate challenges, heartwarming stories, and the quest to light the last campfire.
When speaking of games like Spiritfarer, The Last Campfire is a compelling comparison, given its focus on guiding lost souls and diving deep into themes of life, death, and what lies in between.
Spiritfarer’s quiet waters and the task of ferrying spirits to the afterlife have left an unforgettable mark on its players. In a similar spirit (Pun intended), The Last Campfire revolves around restoring hope in a fading world, helping lost embers find their way home.
Both games harness the power of evocative storytelling, paired with enchanting visuals, to deliver experiences that linger long after the credits roll. Delving into these worlds, one can’t help but draw parallels and appreciate the nuanced, emotional explorations found in games like Spiritfarer.
Release Date: October 7, 2021
Developer: Hello Games
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Is Spiritfarer?
You need to spend approximately 30 hours to finish the main story of Spiritfarer. But to complete the game 100%, you may have to spend more than 50 hours. When you consider the game’s magnificent art style, you can be sure that every minute will be a wonderful experience.
Is Spiritfarer Repetitive?
Spiritfarer sometimes offers a cyclical experience as participants’ journey, gather resources, and provide for their ethereal charges. Yet, it’s essential to recognise the game’s intentional rhythm. It isn’t merely about task completion — it’s a warm embrace of the thematic essence of mercy, nurture, and connection.
What Happens If You Don’t Sleep in Spiritfarer?
In Spiritfarer, you get to choose if your character sleeps or stays awake. Sleeping brings a new day quickly, but not sleeping is fine too. With the game’s calm setting, it’s lovely to enjoy every bit, exploring or just chilling under the stars with your character.
Author Profile
- My journey into the world of video games began at four, when I was first introduced to arcade machines in 1996. Over the past decades, I've been fortunate enough to witness the incredible evolution of gaming, as it has grown from a niche hobby to a thriving art. Today, I'm dedicated to creating content that celebrates all genres of games. We will talk about them at Player.me.