Ritual of Raven Review
Release Date: August 7th, 2025
Developer: Spellgarden Games
Platforms: Nintendo Switch (Reviewed), PC
Price: $14.99 (PC), $19.99 (Switch)
If you had told me ten or even five years ago that I would love simulator games - especially farming and cozy type ones - as much as I do now, I would likely laugh and go "get out of here". Having grown up on so many platformers, action-adventure, and RPG titles (favorites I continue to use as an escape today), it became embedded into my DNA, and while I attempted to play titles like Harvest Moon 64, the original Animal Crossing, Rune Factory, and a plethora of others on Gameboy Advance, Gamecube, PS2, Wii, and just about every console following, nothing ever really clicked or, quite frankly, made sense to me. I didn't like being dropped in out of nowhere and assuming I already had knowledge of how these games functioned mechanically out of the gate, and so I was consistently left feeling ostracized.
There was a shift during COVID, however, where it seemed like we needed those types of games more than ever, though. All of a sudden, little by little, the genre had evolved so much and given so much freedom between Indies, AA, and AAA with myriad artstyles, fusions of mechanics from other genres, and clever implementations that it seemed like it was finally becoming flexible enough to have a little something for everyone. It wasn't just about owning a couple of cows and growing crops—these games were evolving to accommodate for so many different playstyles and player backgrounds that it gave a way to expand the genre into other types, such as RPGs, lifestyle sims, monster taming, idle gachas, walking simulators, deeply emotional story-driven experiences, and even horror to name a few. The genre inevitably became extremely accessible, and now I find myself playing these types of games more than ever before.
Ritual of Raven is yet another newcomer in the ever-growing genre of farming sims that aims to not just repeat, but innovate in more ways than one. It's a charming blend of farming simulation, witchy aesthetics, and a unique take on automation, offering a truly cozy and engaging experience, and by doing so stands apart from others in the genre by putting a strong emphasis on its narrative and character development, creating a world you'll easily find yourself getting lost in. The game's vibrant, pixelated art style, coupled with a soothing soundtrack, sets the perfect tone for a relaxing and magical adventure, creating a cohesive package that certainly makes it one of this year's best new simulator titles.
The core gameplay loop of Ritual of the Raven revolves around a fascinating card-based programming system. Instead of the traditional "dig, plant, water, and harvest" cycle that turned me away up until years ago, you'll use these little cute, pot-like robots called Arcana Constructs to automate your farm.
With these constructs, a multitude of cards are used to instruct them to plant specific seeds, water crops under certain conditions, and harvest. The implementation of these constructs in Ritual of Raven is very refreshing, intellectually stimulating twist on the farming sim genre, and while it unfortunately falls into the usual trope a lot of these games suffer from where it may seem overwhelming at first, it's a rewarding experience to watch your carefully crafted automations work seamlessly. This element of the game gives a clear sense of purpose and progression as you're constantly unlocking new cards and optimizing your processes.
What's worth noting, though, is that what truly solidifies its place as a "cozy game" is its low-stakes, story-driven approach. The game has no strict time constraints, allowing you to progress at your own pace - something I wish all of these types of games had instead of insisting on being yet another Rogue-induced rehash. Quest givers will patiently wait for you to complete their tasks, so there's no pressure to rush or feel like you're falling behind. Can you believe that?
The narrative itself is a significant part of the experience, with quests that delve into the backstories of the various eccentric villagers you encounter. The game's strong focus on empathy and acceptance, told through compelling character arcs, makes you feel invested in the world and its inhabitants. The game's world is also full of different biomes to explore, from the sparkly pink of the Crystal Forest to the lush greenery of the Swamp of Secrets. As you unlock fast-travel points, navigating the surprisingly large map becomes easy. Ritual of Raven's atmosphere is also, arguably, what ties everything together; it's a warm and inviting world with a slightly dark, magical undertone. The balance of cheerful design and intriguing mystery makes the world of Ritual of Raven feel both safe and captivating.
When it comes to performance on the Nintendo Switch, Ritual of Raven is a generally smooth experience. While I've seen some players report minor frame rate stutters in busier areas, these issues are not game-breaking by any means and don't significantly detract from the overall enjoyment. The game's autosave feature (when you sleep in your bed) and multiple save slots are a welcome addition as I feel like save systems for whatever reason tend to be a drawback for this genre with their limitations, though it's also worth mentioning that some have noted a bug where they couldn't interact with their bed to save, leading to lost progress. This never happened to me, thankfully, as it seems to be an uncommon issue, but a quick resolution seems to be simply restarting the game if it does happen.
Following up with a few bugs, Ritual of Raven does have a few additional minor drawbacks. While the initial narrative is intriguing and keeps a grip, the overreliance on the main story can sometimes make the game feel a bit too linear at times, so if you're someone who also likes to pursue side quests, it feels like there's less freedom here to go at your own pace. With the farming portion of the game, though it can be rewarding at the start as you figure everything out and build strategic developments, it can become rather grindy in the late game, with some quests requiring a large number of resources that can feel like they're just padding out the game. It's always been something I find problematic when I feel a game is artificially prolonging itself, so with all its enjoyment, it feels counterintuitive to do so just to feel like there's a "challenge" when the reward feels the same or diminished once it's over. These are rather small issue, however, in a game that largely succeeds otherwise with what it sets out to do.
Ultimately, Ritual of Raven is a gem for fans of the cozy gaming genre. Its innovative take on farming, coupled with a heartwarming and well-written story, makes it a must-play for anyone looking for a relaxing and magical escape. The game is a testament to the fact that you don't need complex, flashy mechanics to create a deeply satisfying and emotionally resonant experience. It's a game about connection, care, and the quiet satisfaction of watching your magical creations flourish - and it makes you feel good all the way through.
PROS:
You don’t farm manually—instead, you program magical constructs using command cards like “harvest” and “water.” It’s like cozy farming meets light coding.
Bright, whimsical visuals that utilizes great pixel art with a magical twist.
The story leans into a magical realism with a Kiki’s Delivery Service-esque tone—no real villains, just quirky, nuanced characters that you ultimately fall in love with.
CONS:
Despite a great, engrossing story, some may feel the game pushes story progression too hard, limiting time to enjoy its mechanics and side quests freely.
The setting, while welcoming, can feel a bit hollow or not fully realized in places.
The abundance of decorative options can feel overwhelming or cluttered for some, bringing forth the question of “How much is too much?”
A gigantic thank you to the great folks at Team17 for providing us with a review copy of Ritual of Raven for the purposes of this review!