Sun Haven

Any cutesy-style farming game is always going to grab my attention and that is why Sun Haven here is so appealing to me. The farming aspect is great and all, but this is a farming-style game that does also have a multiplayer component to it too which is pretty awesome. Add to this a fantasy setting with dragons, monsters, and epic quests and you have a game that feels like it was pretty much tailor-made for me!

Welcome To Sun Haven

The story of Sun Haven sees you just moving to this town and you want to try and make a good life for yourself all the while helping others and making friends as you go. There are romances to be had, quests to go on, monsters to fight, and more. I have played a million farming-style games before and they all have this basic formula when it comes to a story, but the added fantasy/monster twist is what really makes this stand out.

Living Your Best Life

I have said the word “farming” a lot, but as well as growing and tending to crops in the magical town of Sun Haven, you will also get to do other stuff too. You can go fishing, fight monsters, there is mining and smithing. There is also a pretty deep building aspect where you can build and repair various shops in the town and the building aspect is great as there are plenty of design choices for you.

The Monster World

One of the things that really makes Sun Haven seem appealing to me is that you are not just stuck in this one town. There are two other neighboring towns that you can travel to as well. There is Nel’Vari which is a magical elf town that is in the forest. There is also Withergate which is a monster city that is always in darkness and has quite the wild nightlife! Each place has its own theme and style and going to these places will make you have to act differently. I love the sound of this and the way that they have designed the game so that you can play it with a sword and just fight everything or you can be non-violent and try to be nice is pretty damn cool. I know that I want to try and do a playthrough of both styles. There are many quests that you can go on, a skill tree, and a ton of other stuff that is going to keep you busy too.

Playing The Players

The fantasy setting also lends itself to a fantastic amount of character customization. You have seven different character races in the game and no matter which one you pick, you have plenty of customization options to make your character unique.

This is especially important if you are playing this with friends as there can be eight of you in one game so standing out is what you really want to do.

Pros:

• The whole premise of the game is fantastic
• I love the cutesy style
• Lots of monsters and interesting characters to talk to, fight, and romance
• The game is actually far deeper than you would think

Cons:

• The game is only in early access
• You have to be into farming games to enjoy this

Pixel Sprout Studios' debut title Sun Haven transports players to the medieval farming town of Sun Haven. Released on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, Sun Haven aims to craft an immersive farming simulation experience inspired by big names in the genre.

Small Beginnings in a Big World

Sun Haven introduces players to the titular farming town through the eyes of a traveler in search of a new start. With only a small sum of gold and basic tools, players are tasked with turning their humble plot of land into a thriving farm. The expansive and living world allows taking things at your own pace whether specializing in a crop farm, balanced produce and livestock, crafting, or mining for gems.

Sun Haven charmingly conveys a sense of incremental growth as ramshackle huts are built into a flourishing farmstead. The welcoming art style and pleasant medieval tunes foster a cozy atmosphere. Beyond the serene farmland lies vast forests rumored to house undiscovered regions, crafting an enticing sense of adventure awaiting the ambitious farmer.

Rich Systems for Customization

A robust lifeskill system provides depth through diverse activities. Players can dedicate themselves to mastering the over 40 unique crafting stations specializing in cooking, blacksmithing, carpentry and more. Fields, barns and coops can be upgraded to hold more crops and livestock. Simultaneously, you can tend beehives, fish the rivers or operate wine and juice presses.

Character progression permits extensive customization with skills, professions, gender and magical races adding replay value. Players can freely explore the starter town of Sun Haven along with two additional distinct towns, Nel'Vari and Withergate, each containing their own residents, shops and lands to unlock. Fight monsters within the randomized mine tunnels or embark upon cooking that can be gifted or consumed for buffs.

Vibrant Community and Festivals

Sun Haven sings with life through its friendly villagers who attend festivals and celebrate holidays together with the player. Festivals like the Harvest Feast present stalls of food, contests and performances. Optional multiplayer further enhances this sense of community as up to 8 players can jointly tend shared farms, combat bosses or socialize in the taverns.

Marriage adds another layer letting you romance one of 15 eligible partners to start a family. Spouses provide support through gifts and joining activities. Additional rewards await those who complete bundles by donating artifacts and fish to the museum curator.

Review

In its current state, Sun Haven shows great promise as an ambitious newcomer to the farming simulation genre. Its idyllic medieval setting, depth of realistic farm and village systems paired with expansive growth create an authentically immersive experience.

Pros:

• Vibrant medieval setting and kind villagers
• Robust simulation systems and customization
• Promising foundations for long-term enjoyment
• Dedicated developer support planned

Cons:

• Some aspects lack Stardew Valley's refined simplicity
• Basic current compared to its high ambitions
• Multiplayer could utilize more advanced functionality