Roots of Pacha Reviews

This game is perfect if you enjoyed Stardew, but want something that has it's own ideas to explore. The pre-historic setting is pretty appealing on it's own, but it's not just aesthetic; It's used to bring some interesting gameplay elements to farming and ranching, and to make relationships a bit more unconventional. It's a fascinating game that makes up for lacking Stardew's scope by delivering really well on it's own concepts.

SINGLE-PLAYER EXPERIENCE: This is great! The game is VERY adorable and I love the theme and the games in the festivals, and so many more interesting characters to chat with in this Stardew Valley-esque theme. MULTIPLAYER EXPERIENCE: Horrible - Can't stay connected beyond five minutes. For those looking to play this for the multiplayer experience, then I CANNOT recommend it due to the constant disconnects what seem to make the multiplayer unplayable. Once that has been resolved, then awesome!

Roots of Pacha will inevitably always be compared to Stardew Valley. Do you like Stardew? If so, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy Roots of Pacha too - a chance, but not a certainty. SV, Welcome to Elderfield, and Fields of Mystria are cozy games for many reasons. Maybe it’s the graphics, maybe the gameplay, or perhaps... the intuitiveness of the gameplay. That’s the kind of intuitiveness you won’t experience in RoP, which tries to present itself as another cozy game. Here, there’s a whole long puzzle mechanic you simply have to do, otherwise you won’t progress; here, there are mechanics you couldn’t possibly figure out on your own. And finally—even if you just want to cook something, you need to go to the right house—a house that looks exactly the same as all the others, so you also have to remember which one of these identical-looking rooms actually has the thing you need. Oh, and the characters? They’re written much worse than even those in SV. It’s hard to feel any kind of affection toward any of them. Of course, I left a positive review, because I do appreciate a lot of things. The setting is great, the music is lovely, and the fishing system is genuinely enjoyable; overall, the first 5–6 hours of the game really do feel “cozy.” Plus, the negatives I listed are actually quite subjective, and there’s a real chance you might like them—but for me, these are things that contradict the very idea of a cozy game.

Honestly, I find this game just as enjoyable as Stardew Valley. Some of the festivals are boring, but some are fun. Having kids in this game is a lot better than Stardew. They grow up, talk to you, have aspirations and go to school. I really enjoy that. The animals are a fun challenge too. Overall if you like Stardew, you'll like this game too.

one of the best cozy farming games I ever played, it is definitely on the same level as Stardew Valley / Fields of Mistria and Sun Haven. please give this game a try if you haven't

Excellent farming sim where it really feels like your relationship with the NPCs matters. Fun minigames, great exploration, and one of the most impressive range of cooking recipes I've ever seen. You can even paint your own pixel art on some of the pottery or canvas frames. It has so many of these little features that make the world feel more important than your average farming sim. Highly recommend.

I waited awhile before buying this game because I was hesitant about it being entertaining enough. Although I did wait for it to be on sale. I like the Stone Age time period of Roots of Pacha, a very unique approach. The characters of the clan are engaging; I'm even starting to dislike one character (Jelrod) and thinking about gifting him poop lol lol The racing minigame is fun and actually takes some skill. I got second place the first time I did it, so it gives me something to look forward to and work towards. Races are every other Saturday, so there's the concept of patience, as well. I like that the beginning gameplay can be completed using only 2 tools that are given to you, right off the bat. Instead of having to craft an ax and pickaxe, which is so overdone...

Roots of Pacha is a charming and thoughtful life simulation game that reimagines the cozy farming genre through a prehistoric lens. Set in the Stone Age, it invites players to build a thriving clan not by relying on modern tools or magic, but by discovering and innovating the foundations of civilization itself. Instead of inheriting a rundown farm like in many genre staples, you’re part of a nomadic tribe settling in a new region, helping to shape everything from agriculture to social customs. This narrative twist gives the game a refreshing sense of purpose and progression. The core gameplay loop is familiar to fans of life sims: plant crops, gather resources, build relationships, and upgrade your village. But Roots of Pacha adds layers of meaning by contextualizing these actions as discoveries. You're not just planting seeds; you're domesticating wild plants. You're not just crafting tools; you're inventing them. This framing makes each milestone feel significant. Discovering animal husbandry, for example, isn’t handed to you—it’s a reward for observation, experimentation, and collaboration with other clan members. The result is a slower, more intentional pace that fits beautifully with the game’s thematic focus on community and ingenuity. Mechanically, the game is polished and accessible. Movement and interactions are fluid, the UI is clean, and the tutorial eases you into the Stone Age lifestyle without overwhelming you. There's a satisfying rhythm to the seasons, with new activities and discoveries unfolding naturally over time. Farming is simple but expands as you gain knowledge, and there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes from gradually transforming wild land into cultivated space. Beyond farming, the game offers animal taming, fishing, mining, festivals, and a relationship system that includes friendship, romance, and even clan-wide decisions that affect the community. A major strength of Roots of Pacha lies in its emphasis on cooperation—not just in multiplayer, but within the narrative itself. Clan members aren’t static NPCs; they evolve alongside you. You can influence the direction of village development, vote on new ideas, and see characters grow as they discover their roles within the group. This collaborative storytelling enhances the emotional stakes and gives you a strong reason to engage with each member of the tribe beyond the usual gift-giving grind. Visually, the game uses a detailed pixel art style that feels warm and inviting. Environments are rich with texture, and the changing seasons are beautifully represented. The prehistoric setting is full of small artistic flourishes—bone tools, stone pathways, and lush, untamed flora—that reinforce the game’s unique identity. The soundtrack, too, is gentle and atmospheric, with tribal drums and natural sounds that blend seamlessly into the gameplay. It contributes to a meditative tone, encouraging players to slow down and savor each in-game day. That said, Roots of Pacha isn’t without minor flaws. Progression can occasionally feel too slow, especially for players used to the faster pace of other farming sims. Some mechanics, like animal taming or tool upgrades, require precise conditions that aren’t always communicated clearly, which may lead to moments of confusion or wasted effort. And while the game offers a wide range of customization for your character and village, some players might find the romantic interactions and dialogue options limited compared to more narrative-heavy life sims. Despite these small issues, Roots of Pacha stands out as a thoughtful and lovingly crafted addition to the genre. It reinterprets familiar mechanics through a historical lens in a way that feels both original and educational without being preachy. More importantly, it captures the quiet joy of discovery—of turning an unfamiliar place into a home, of working together to make life a little better each day. It’s a game that values community, creativity, and patience, offering a serene but rewarding experience for players who want something more grounded and meaningful from their virtual lives. Rating: 10/10

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a pure cozy game, and if you are a fan of games like Stardew Valley or Spiritfarer you will probably love this too.

If you like this style of game (graphic wise and content wise) and love playing games like this, then yes I recommend this game to you. I liked the idea of the characters discovering things for the first time and finding ways to solve their problems. It was enough of a difference to other similar games to make this feel like its own thing. It has all the typical farm sim elements you would expect, farming, limited decoration, friendships, romance, etc. If you prefer a less structured, more do what you want kind of sandbox sim game, then this is not for you. Yes, you can go to the mines if you want. Yes, you can farm if you want. But you end up falling in the same old same old farming sim pattern of grinding and slowly advancing and having to do everything each day because otherwise you won't progress, all while managing your stamina which depletes fast. In that since, this is just like every other game in the genre. I don't regret buying this game or investing the time into that I did. But I would not buy it again as I've discovered that I do not like these more rigid games and would prefer a sim where I can do what I want, when I want, without making it feel limiting that I am not moving in the standard pattern.