Sun Haven is a 2023 farm life simulation action role-playing game created and released by the American independent game studio Pixel Sprout Studios. The game was first made available for Windows computers on March 11, 2023. It was later released for the Nintendo Switch in North and South America on November 29, 2024, and in Europe on December 16, 2024. The game is often compared to other similar games, such as Stardew Valley and Dungeons & Dragons.

Gameplay

Sun Haven is a pixel art farm simulation video game where players can farm, fish, mine, and interact with non-player characters (NPCs). The game is similar to Stardew Valley and My Time at Sandrock. The story begins with a cutscene featuring a character named Lynn, followed by a journey on a train. During the trip, a blackout occurs, causing all the lights to go out. When players arrive in the town of Sun Haven, they can choose any location on their farm to build their home. Unlike many other farm simulation games, Sun Haven does not include a stamina system. The game also includes three additional towns for players to explore. Combat is available, and players can select character classes similar to those in Dungeons & Dragons. Combat happens in real time and rewards players with tools and experience points, which can be used to improve character skills. Players may choose to avoid combat during key story events or against boss characters. Additionally, players have the option to marry Lucia, who is the leader of Sun Haven.

Development

Sun Haven was created and released by Pixel Sprout Studios, an American video game company located in Los Angeles. The game first entered early access on June 25, 2021, after a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2020. It officially launched on March 11, 2023, after being delayed by six months from its original release date. The game gained little attention until its full release. It was later made available on the Nintendo Switch in North and South America on November 29, 2024, and on the European market on December 16, 2024. At first, the game did not support cross-platform play or multiplayer features. Plans are in place to release the game on additional consoles in the near future.

In mid-2024, the game released version 1.4, its biggest update so far. This update introduced new features, such as additional marriage options and a new underwater area called the "Brinestone Deeps."

Reception

Sun Haven has received positive feedback from critics and is frequently compared to Stardew Valley. A review from PCGamesN during early access noted that "the game's charm has been noticed in this mix of role-playing games and farming games." Another early access review from RPGFan described the game as "a magical world" that is "welcoming, appealing, and unique." After its full release, Anna Koselke from GamesRadar+ mentioned that the game is similar to Stardew Valley but includes more magical and imaginative elements. WIRED described the game as "cozy" and highlighted that "the story is detailed and engaging." TheGamer noted that Sun Haven is among the few games that combine farming role-playing games with other gameplay features.