Roots of Pacha takes the cozy genre back to the Stone Age, offering some interesting twists to the typical simulation formula. The debut title from developer Soda Den, the game places players in a prehistoric tribe which over time will progress through new technology and discoveries in a way that offers a genuine sense of progress and accomplishment. While many core facets of the game are exactly what one would expect, the charming world and sense of community it fosters makes it easy to get caught up in a “one more day” loop nonetheless.
Roots of Pacha begins just as the titular Pachan clan has settled down in a new area to make a life for themselves, which was commanded of them by Pacha – the goddess worshiped by the tribe. Players will build this new settlement from the ground up, over time making advancements through the help of the tribe’s diverse members and evolving as a society. It’s hard not to compare the title to games like Stardew Valley as it does follow much of the same formula, but its unique setting-based changes help to distinguish it as a refreshing new entry in the genre.
The World Of Roots Of Pacha
The game’s prehistoric setting lends itself to trying a lot of fun new twists on typical town elements, and places an emphasis on discovery by virtue of being about advancing a society. There are several different environmental areas to explore as well as a maze-like cave system – which happens to be populated by several mysterious and magical armadillos, one of many examples of the game’s fun blend of realistic and more fantastical elements. Each area has different flora and fauna to find and eventually bring back to the tribe, with gathering and animal taming being staples of gameplay.
The prehistoric world of Roots of Pacha is very charming; pixel art has become a well-trodden visual style for the cozy genre at this point, but that doesn’t make it any less satisfying to see it done well. The large swathe of animals that fill the world are extremely cute, and the more detailed conversational portraits are always a nice touch. The structures that build up over time make for a land that feels like it’s getting more modern despite its inherent ancient nature, and cozy community-centered areas help further drive home the title’s sense of kinship.
Economics & Progressing The Tribe
Instead of a typical profit-making scenario, players will be helping their community grow through Contributions to the designated town bin. In doing so they’ll earn Contribution points, which essentially function as currency, and also increase the overall Prosperity of the tribe. It’s a group effort, so the Pachans will gain some each day regardless of player contributions, but accrual obviously goes faster with players’ help.
As Prosperity increases and players make new discoveries, new large-scale advancements like town-wide lighting and a central garden will become available, and make it feel like society is truly advancing. Tribe members will also come up with Ideas, which serve as technology-furthering quests; early on, rewards for helping residents investigate these consist of things like the ability to ride animals and build a well, while later on it includes more complex advancements like beekeeping and irrigation. While many games in the genre give players the feeling of achievement through things like new farm buildings – which Roots of Pacha does also contain occasionally – this title differentiates progression by making everything communal.
Main Objectives & Activities
As players explore the world, they’ll be able to find seeds to sow back at their farm, which can then either be contributed to the tribe as is or further processed through things like drying or cooking. Over time, they’ll gain crop knowledge from harvesting each plant enough times, and each level of knowledge possessed will increase the overall quality of the harvest. This is one of the main methods that players can gain currency and raise the tribe’s Prosperity, but it’s not the only way.
Other activities like fishing – which is done through a refreshingly unique mechanic that involves tracking fish in the water versus the typical rod scenario – and exploring the area’s resource-filled cave system can also help make headway. Animals found throughout the world can be tamed by building their trust through a delightful, albeit simple, flute playing minigame and then raised on the farm in order to harvest their products like milk or fur. Players can also seek to fulfill prophecies, which could easily be compared to something like Stardew Valley‘s bundle system, but are slightly more riddle-based milestones that offer useful rewards when completed.
The Pachan People (& Surrounding Tribes)
The Pachan tribe is full of characters of all ages that players can form relationships with over time. Nothing about how the game approaches relationship dynamics is anything new, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing – residents can be given gifts and spoken to each day in order to raise friendship levels, and 13 residents both inside and out of the main tribe can also be romanced. Like many games in the genre, as the number of flowers – the title’s version of hearts – grows with each person, players will occasionally encounter special cutscenes. They’re largely simple scenes, but they help each character have more depth.
There are several community events that happen over the course of each year that players can enjoy, and while they’re largely garden variety holidays like a fall Carnival Festival, there are a few pleasing twists to the typical calendar. For example, the Cave Painting Festival which makes creative use of the setting and features a fun drawing minigame, and Competition Day which has several interactive events. Each holiday also incorporates some elements of storytelling that help expand the lore of the world and reinforce the overall theme of togetherness.
Final Thoughts & Review Score
Roots of Pacha doesn’t entirely reinvent the wheel when it comes to the simulation genre, but it puts an interesting enough spin on things that it still manages to feel like a breath of fresh air compared to a typical farming title. The style is charming and the emphasis it puts on community truly makes progress feel more rewarding than usual, and creative use of the prehistoric setting makes for a world that’s easy to want to keep coming back to. Roots of Pacha is equal parts engaging and relaxing, and is a great option for any players looking to experience a new twist on a well-trodden formula.
Roots of Pacha will release November 28 for PlayStation consoles, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Screen Rant was provided with a Nintendo Switch code for the purpose of this review.
