"Cozy" games - generally defined as games that have a slower, more story-focused pace and are intended to be played for relaxation rather than for a challenge - are incredibly popular right now. A lot of people who might not have otherwise been into video games have found themselves attracted to these games because of the fact that the game mechanics are often gentler, and the games are more about having fun than proving a skill level. One of the prominent ones at the moment is Spiritfarer, which is a game that was released in 2020 by Canadian indie studio Thunder Lotus Games to both popular and critical acclaim.
The game is very beloved, particularly by those who enjoy cozy games, and it has amassed a fandom of its own. It has the kind of popularity and staying power that would make it the perfect piece of IP to adapt for the screen, specifically for an animated series. Since the game already has a distinct animation style, it would make sense to transfer that over for an adaptation (rather than attempting live-action, which would make it lose some of its signature charm). But what exactly is it about Spiritfarer that would make it perfect for a TV show?
What Is Spiritfarer About?
In Spiritfarer, the player takes on the role of Stella, the main character, who has become the new "Spiritfarer" and must ferry the spirits of the dead to the afterlife. Stella takes these spirits, some of whom she even has a prior personal connection with, onto her ship and completes requests for them until they are ready to finally head into the afterlife for good. Sometimes she helps them fulfill last wishes, or reforge friendships or romantic connections, or complete adventures they never got to have while they lived, and other times she is simply helping to make the final moments of their life more comfortable.
In the game, the player continues to build out the ship, making additions that unlock new areas of the map and make the surface area bigger so that more rooms and functions can be added to the boat itself. The game requires the player to grow food and collect and craft materials in order to complete requests and progress further in the game, but it's not a rushed pace, and allows the player to take as long as they want to do so. The fun of the game really comes from unlocking the backstories of the characters and learning more about them as they prepare to go through the Everdoor, which is what takes them to the afterlife.
Why Would Spiritfarer Make A Good Show?
This is an age of video game adaptations, some good, some bad, so what would make Spiritfarer stand out? First of all, it has a unique premise, and there hasn't been anything much like it done in terms of animated TV shows. The characters are what make it special, and that part of the storyline would be so easy to transfer over to a screen adaptation. Because the game is so narrative-based, they would already have the basis for the story, and they would only have to expand on each character's story a little to have enough to work with for a whole show.
Since each character has their own backstory, the show could structure itself in a way that has each episode focus on one spirit and how Stella helps them on their way to the Everdoor. Some of the characters could stick around for longer arcs, particularly the ones who have a closer connection to Stella, but the spirits' personalities are all different enough that it would provide a large variety in episodes. The spirits are all colorful characters, and the player gets endeared to them very quickly (which reason why the game became so beloved).
The backstories themselves are also very thoughtful and surprisingly emotional. The characters all feel like they have rich inner lives, even if the player only gets to see a small portion of it. A potential TV show could really expand on those brief glimpses of backstory and create an even fuller picture of each character, including Stella herself. The player gets attached to these characters, even when they're only a brief part of the game, which makes them perfect for an episodic series. The personalities and backstories that have already been baked into the game would only be more affecting and emotional if they had even more time with the audience, and the nature of the narrative would translate perfectly to television.
Since this is an indie game and development of these kinds of things, especially animation, takes a lot of time, it's unlikely that this series would happen any time soon, even if it did become a reality. However, this story has so much potential and could be really good if taken seriously and made as well and as thoughtfully as the game was. It would give fans of Spiritfarer even more of the content they've been craving, and it would also help introduce a whole new audience to the game. If this idea ever became reality, it might even give them a chance to get a hold of those who might not otherwise be interested in the story because they're not gamers themselves.