Kynseed Comments
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need to know
what is it? A 2D generational life simulation role-playing game without Molyneux.
expect to pay $25/£20
developer Pixel Count Studio
publisher Pixel Count Studio
Reviewed on AMD Elios 0405 2.8 GHz; AMD Van Gogh 0405 GPU, 16GB RAM (Steam Deck 256GB)
multiplayer game? Do not
associate Official Website(opens in a new tab)
The problem with a game like Kynseed is that it’s nearly impossible to actually finish. That doesn’t mean there are no end states, just that there’s a long lead-time between when you start and when you can conceivably finish any and all things the game has to offer. It’s a solid game that combines life-simulator elements from Tales of Seasons and Stardew Valley with Western role-playing games like Fable and The Elder Scrolls, and it does both well.
The entire premise of Kynseed relies on some of the most basic English folktales and fairy tales for its narrative threads. In the land of Quill, you and your siblings were one of many twins who lived with the old woman who lived in the shoe – until one day your hitherto unmentioned Uncle Bill came , takes you to his farm valley south of Quill. Meanwhile, you and your twin start having terrifying dreams of a bunny-like fairy named Mr. Fairweather.
(Image credit: PixelCount Studios)
The prologue pushes the player to explore the valley, complete the quests of the villagers of Candlewych village, explore the ancient ruins of the Rhododendron Grove and Mosspeak ruins, and learn about all the little rituals the valley dwellers complete to satisfy their three goddesses: Druida, Morwenna, and Hyaluronic acid. Eagle-eyed players will soon learn that not everything is as peaceful or idyllic as everyone believes, and of course it all has to do with the mystery of the eponymous Kynseed.
In addition to chasing the central narrative, players can choose from a variety of ways to play the game. There are six different skill trees covering gardening, cooking, fishing, exploration, and melee and ranged combat. One could imagine concentrating solely on their farm, tilling the land and livestock until every inch of the Willowdown farm was self-sufficient and profitable; to start a family and—thanks to a little influence from the Crusader Kings—create a long and powerful family tree that spans multiple generations. There’s no wrong way to play, which might cause some confusion for players used to structured fare. For example, during the first few days of playing the game myself, I was dedicated to finding every single map in the game. Being able to freely explore and interact with random townspeople is where I’ve gotten most of the fun out of Kynseed so far.
Combat may be the most surprising aspect of Kynseed. Because the game wants you to focus on the peaceful, friendly interactions between your avatar and Quill’s common folk, combat only takes place in three wooded dungeons—at least initially: Simplewood, Midwood, and Toughwood. Before entering each forest, you choose your gear, your campfire meal (which restores health), and the weapons you can forge yourself. Once inside, you can control everything from the difficulty of each battle room to the kinds of field effects currently playing.
(Image credit: PixelCount Studios)
The combat itself reveals how open and malleable the combat system is. A lot of work has gone into creating a system that is easy to learn but difficult to master. While fighting, you can move between three positions: top, middle, bottom. You can attack monsters in front of you and directly diagonally by pressing the A, X or Y buttons on your controller. Pressing B selects an item; the correct trigger lets you target enemies with ranged weapons, which is important for disrupting a potentially brutal attack. When you defeat one of the four possible enemies on the board at any given time, the remaining enemies can move to better positions to attack you, or even spawn new enemies. Where you move and how many times you attack depends on your stamina.
Being able to freely explore and interact with random townspeople is where I’ve gotten most of the fun out of Kynseed so far.
Combat ends up feeling very engaging, but here’s the thing: most systems in Kynseed are this deep. Take forging as an example. For five brass coins, you can rent a blacksmithing station and craft as many items as you like with any metal ore you have around or in your inventory. Simple enough; most games skip the part where you actually forge your weapon or tool at this point. Even a game known for its intricate minigames to complete peaceful missions, like Final Fantasy XIV, will have you speeding through that part. Not Kynseed. Here you’ll need to melt your ore, pour it into molds, hammer specific points along the blade, quench the item, and finally sharpen it – all before you’re ready to take it out of the smithy. The same goes for cooking and making medicines. Even romantic relationships take on the brilliance of this mini-game where players must follow specific instructions in order to keep their date happy.
(Image credit: PixelCount Studios)
It can end up being a lot to manage, so here are two pieces of advice: don’t skip the tutorial, and don’t hesitate to use the helpful guides and hints the game gives you. I did it on my first playthrough and ended up completely missing how to reveal objective markers – the little fairies that live in your hair and point you in the right direction – you can fast travel by activating any goddess statue you find , pay the Apple tax.
What I love most about Kynseed is not the complexity of its systems, nor the ingenuity of its story. It’s (not just) the beautiful 2D pixelated art or the way you enter an area and the way the music transitions from upbeat to dirge. It’s not about any single interaction with villagers, or building relationships, or uncovering neat secrets. In fact, the esoteric and the mundane blend so perfectly, how can you pack carrots for a guy you meet one minute and piece together a supernatural mystery the next. Small stumbling blocks here and there for me–I wish the game made some time-saving tools more clear upfront–but if you enjoy watching seasons change in Animal Crossing, or revel in following a Powerful family in Crusader Kings, you’ll love Kynseed.
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