Spiritfarer is the Closest We've Ever Come to a Playable Ghibli Film

[@NinWRTV]

If you've come straight to the comments after reading the title, then don't worry. Joe does talk about Ni no Kuni in this video.

[@Vyz3r]

What about Jade Cocoon?

[@angelorohit]

What about Forgotton Anne?

[@clairefutrell5089]

When I first started playing “Spiritfarer”, I couldn’t help but think of Ghibli films as well. Especially with the musical score. There’s something so serene about just fishing off the edge of your boat at night and listening to that beautiful music. I absolutely adored this game. I agree that it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it has a special place in my heart.

[@B3you_]

agreee it has that feel of the films

[@RezaSoleman]

Yess, totally agree! A really special place in my heart as well.

[@Alskasaur]

I could not have explained it any better! I cried while sending off the first couple characters but totally thought I’d be fine sending off Giovanni, and Bruce & Micky, but when their time came I found myself absolutely crying again! Plus, on a more personal note, I found my brother dead in his room from a drug overdose in 2022, and a little over a year after discovered and played through this game and it honestly helped me through my grief so much!

[@lionel3185]

So we’re just gonna ignore the Hollow Knight music? Excellent review.

[@lantic2155]

lmao studio Ghibli, Spiritfarer, and Hollow Knight. Best combination if you ask me

[@queenkoko8686]

I think Spiritfarer was the first game that made me say: Wait that's the end? Noooo... It also made me feel nostalgic and actually reminded me of Poptropica; probably because of how the movement and artstyle was. It was a pretty good game!

[@ninjapotatolorf6237]

Jeez, I haven't thought about Poptropica in years! That brings back some nostalgia. On second thought, they could be the same game: Island-based world? Check. Smaller storylines that need to be completed in order to beat the game as a whole? Check. Can't really get a "Game Over"? Also check. Mainly structured as an exploration-based 2-D platformer? Definitely check. Tons of mini games? Oh yeah; that's a check.

[@OkMazzy]

@@ninjapotatolorf6237 I used to play that in the school computer lab in elementary school. Wild throwback

[@harveycustodio2625]

The Jumping and the fact hat sometimes when you run and jump you basically shoot of real fast if you heading in the same direction of the slide. I keep remembering the Pirate Theme Island where you basically trade goods and make sure sail around islands buying and selling for bigger profits.

[@SolinoOruki]

I love Nino Kuni. But other than that disagreement, this review is just sooo goood

[@ponderandlearn]

We need more reviews like yours. Not superficial talk of game mechanics but an impactful response that personal and eloquently conveyed. Thanks for your amazing review and nice to meet another Ghibli fan :) Definitely trying this game and nervously anticipating tear jerking moments ^__^

[@PurpleEyebag]

I just recently finished playing the game itself an hour ago. I gotta say I share your opinion in terms of the game sharing the same vibe as a Studio Ghibli movie. When I was in the middle of the story I couldn't help but see the houses on my boat, when zoomed out, look like the bathhouse from Spirited Away. Its crowded, tight spaced and it has character doing lots of chores to keep her people happy. If I am going to pick a movie that will match Spiritfarer; to me its going to be Spirited Away hahaha

[@ThePuppyPrince]

Genuinely feel Spiritfarer is one of the greatest indie games ever.

[@laurenc4138]

I agree, it hit me right in my soul, I honestly think hands down it has some of the most beautiful dialogue of any media, definitely the best of any game I’ve ever played.

[@SonofMrPeanut]

Another game that very much scratches this itch (also from Level 5) was Attack of the Friday Monsters for 3DS. Despite this big monster battle happening, the focus is more on the people and fellow children in this small neighborhood. The fantastical is there, but it's window-dressing to the story at hand. It's also short, which makes it an easy recommendation.

[@ZeroZmm]

I thought Summer was a bit annoying with her ideas (I wouldn't be surprised if she died using alternative medicine).. but when I cleaned the second dragon and she just went "I think I'm ready to go" I was like 'wat.. already? 😢' It's very real. You can love people you don't a 100% agree or get along with.

[@BexMcInulty]

Summer was my favourite actuallly 🥺🥺

[@aletanook]

I actually liked Summer. I didn't care for Bruce and Mickey but I did feel so bad hearing their story.

[@ZeroZmm]

@@aletanook I liked her alright..I just didn't like some of her ideas. I thought Bruce and Mickey were fun, but it's probably cus they reminded me of my group of friends. We're always crap-talking each other. And yeah given their story I see why he would act all big and stuff.

[@ryanheemann3819]

Spiritfarer definitely has some tedious gameplay, but this video did a great job of explaining how the whole thing still works! Maybe gameplay that is essentially everyday chores fits when mixed in with dragons, beautiful art and music, and great writing.

[@chicaneries]

Ni No Kuni should be reanalyzed by the content creator. It is a long game, but one with a story beautifully written within the constraints of typical Jrpg fashion. The loss of the protagonist’s mother and how he deals with moving on. his way of coping transports his brain into a realm of make believe. his “magic powers” which is just him learning the virtues of his piers and spreading those virtues to those broken around him by just having courage and a kind heart. There’s a strong ghibli story there, and while it takes a minute for it to be told- it does exist and shouldn’t be overlooked

[@GSmashGaming]

I got this game in June of last year, hadn't put it down since. When I started playing it, I got so many studio Ghibli vibes from

[@luluciferia1948]

Literally crying while playing this. Such a beautiful game.

[@juliannemarie657]

as a major ni no kuni fan, and a spiritfarer fan, i was at first concerned with the title but this video is actually really eye opening and awesome. thank you for this!

[@MultiMichael72]

What an excellent review that is, so much full of love, depth and melancholy, just like the game itself. Thank you for this, it's been a treat to watch it!

[@MRCnyc1]

great in depth video, I appreciate the work

[@Maxx-Oblivion]

Ni No Kuni def captured that feeling more than Spiritfarer for me

[@genshinaddict1911]

This game is a masterpiece

[@KaironQD]

Woohoo! My Neighbors the Yamadas!

[@KaaruTab]

Ni No Kuni Wrath of the White Witch is actually really good and gave that ghibli feel to it. As a person who haven't played any JRPGs i actually got used to it and the story is what kept me interested. Unless you didn't try to see it for yourself, you'll never know.

[@aldrinadriano1660]

he doesn't say that it's not good, it's just not a studio ghibli joint.

[@AcidDotDrop]

Yeah, I feel that No No Kino thing... I didn't even finish it, I lost interest in the last third of the game and couldn't push myself anymore to keep playing.

[@ggitggud8242]

WHY IS THE BACKGROUND MUSIC HOLLOW KNIGHT

[@GoogleUser-it3xq]

It looks like we can zoom in and out in this game. Am I correct? I hope so because I'd like to buy this game but due to poor eyesight I can hardly see the figures in some scenes due to landscape or seascape taking center stage.

[@LaurenAlexandra417]

Unfortunately, no. The game zooms in and out itself during certain moments. This said though, I've just started playing so in theory I guess that could change?

[@GoogleUser-it3xq]

@@LaurenAlexandra417 Thank you so much for letting me know this!

[@imtiredofyall4843]

forgotton Anne is right there

[@55ense5imulation4]

Just picked up the physical from bestbuy. Comes with a post card set (I left it sealed) a stamp set, and a download code. (Art book/soundtrack) Been playing it 4 hours now and I can say its in my top 25 of 300 physical i own. Gris beats it in atmosphere. . . but i put them near eachother on the shelf.

[@joeldionisio]

Almost graphically but in feeling, BOTW y absolutely Ghibli. NiNo Kuni it´s...yeah...dissapointing. Ori have a lot of reminicence too.

[@johnnyr-518]

My ship is so fast I couldn't get anything done from a small travel 😂.

[@pr0xy87]

You dont mean to brag? Brag about what? Watching the Ghibli films? Yeah thats an elite club there man, congrats...

[@pr0xy87]

@@the-weirdist Good one

[@masterofdisaster1633]

I'm middle aged and spiritfarer is the only game I real hundred percented in my life until now

[@timebandit1266]

Suuuuch a Beautiful Game 😊. Nino kuni was made from studio Ghibli studios help, this game was not. 5:30

[@ondrejandydlohos]

The first 4 minutes of video about how Spiritfarer is close to Ghibli film is supported by Howl Knight music 😁 No complimenting here, just liked the detail, the music score of Hollow Knight was amazing, so it deserves to be here. Just thought you will somehow say that Hollow Knight can be compared like Spiritfarer and that's why the music is there 🙂 I also felt like being in Ghibli game just because the music. Loving the game so far.

[@cellularautomaton.]

hollow knight is another one that borrows heavily from anime artstyles (what with the painted backgrounds and much simpler characters) and especially nausicaa of the valley of the wind

[@neonstream6935]

Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery I'd say comes closer, but Spiritfarer is pretty dang to close!

[@eliot327]

Well when you put it like that I'm much more interested suddenly

[@GoogleUser-it3xq]

ESRB label includes "Language Warning". Can anyone here tell me if the Lord's name is taken in vain by any of the characters in Spiritfarer?

[@brantlisk786]

4:30 is when actual review starts.

[@NinWRTV]

Hi Brant, sorry for the confusion but this is not our review of Spiritfarer. If you'd like to see our review, you can check it out here: www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/54959/spiritfarer-switch-review

[@Hercules_Flexing]

This wasn’t a review

[@roykoopa64]

@@NinWRTV I was confused too because this video is included at the bottom of the review that you linked to.

[@jadseif8102]

Have you ever seen a Ghibli movie ?

[@addardaraffanurahil8635]

Ni no Kuni wasn't a bad game actually. Only at the middle of the story, all the twists feels meh. Have you played Forgotton Anne? Looks and feels even Ghibli like. You might want to try it.

[@thegundampilot01]

Fantastic video and review. Well done!

[@TheMilanirafa]

I was watching this thinking "damn that song kinda reminds me of Hollow Knight" welp

[@peterharz5938]

You forgot BOTW is Inspired by Ghibli?

[@ninjapotatolorf6237]

I love Ni no Kuni SO MUCH, but I'll admit that, outside of its visuals, the game doesn't really *feel* like a Ghibli Movie. In some ways, it's more like Dragon Quest with a "Studio Ghibli coat of paint" slapped onto it.

[@omarfarooq7211]

I thought the last guardian had the ghibli feel nailed down

[@baseballgenius3]

Music from hollow knight!!

[@Hercules_Flexing]

Awesome video.

[@wyndellejayescorial5542]

try "sky:children of the light"

[@freehigh9231]

I Enjoyed the DS version of Ni no Kuni.

[@yusoorei4835]

this!! i want to send this video to everyone lol i agree so much T.T im enjoying this game so much i dont want it to end :c

[@jackxiao9702]

I hope this game wins Game of the Year

[@da9el883]

ni no kuni ?! closer to studio ghibli than this, even the game called Baldo!

[@AndresMartinez-mx6dt]

Amazing

[@eSKAone-]

Ni No Kuni 2♥️

[@AcidDotDrop]

Unfortunately, the most of Spiritfahrer can't grasp the Ghibli flair due to its style... it has occasionally elements that match but more often it looks... Cheap.any of the design are boring and blant and miss the "magic" even on the most mundane parts of a Ghibli movie

[@majorbrighton]

My my, I couldn’t agree with you on that. A good game should at least be capable of capturing your imagination. What a huge Disappointment this turned out to quickly be. If you think you are in for a deep and immersive game. Well after only minutes you realize that what you see is not going anywhere fast. An extremely slow paced Indie game that might seem to offer a new feeling to a new game. Yet in reality you are facing imminent boredom. Your ship is an awkward cut out that belongs in a pop up book. Your only excitement which repeats annoyingly, is trying to catch something flying by you. You soon hope that you will find out that the game will open up if you can just reach shore. Wrongful thinking. You find out that the pointless point and click on land, was designed for 7 year olds from the start. Achievements are zero as you find one belittling item and have to rush back to that .,*&= ship again. No I do not recommend this game to any age groups. It’s shallow and frustrating how unadventurous a game can become. I’m actually writing this more out of frustration, seeing it on Editors choice, where it certainly should not be.

[@tomsimmons7673]

Half the review to get to the damn point. I don't care about studio Gibbler

[@NinWRTV]

Hi Tom, this video was not a review. We do have a review of Spiritfarer on our website.

[@tomsimmons7673]

@@YaseiYakul ok Luigi