An early access code was provided, and many thanks to Pretty Soon Games.
Seeds of Calamity is a cozy farming sim with a dash of RPG. You get to run your own farm, explore spicy dungeons with adventure, and help build a genuine sense of community with a cast of adorable villagers.
The Look and Feel of the Pixelated World of Seeds of Calamity
Seeds of Calamity is a farming/RPG sim, which means plenty to grow, plenty to scavenge — all wrapped in charming pixel-art visuals.
You can find different seeds to plant pretty quickly, and the villagers are more than happy to give you a start on your journey. The lore you uncover throughout your adventure, combined with its visual storytelling, helps you feel truly immersed in the world.
I won’t surprise anyone with the “pixel art is SO cute” – of course it is – but its cuteness comes mostly from the sense of warmth and closeness to the characters that it brings. Thanks to that, Seeds of Calamity feels like following a tale, and makes the player more than happy to follow along and see where the story ends.
In terms of collectables, which can go from fish, supernatural substances, gemstones, and the harvest’s result, there are multiple “categories”. It is fairly easy to get a normal one, but you can also get a higher quality signified by a silver or a gold star. You obviously don’t find them often, so they are definitely adding a little spice to your farming game.
The Pros of Seeds of Calamity – The Cosy Charm of Farm Life
It’s a cozy game, and the village residents are welcoming from day one.
As you interact with them, their backstories slowly unfold, making your relationships feel more natural and rewarding. Little bonus? When evening comes, the villagers gather in the village tavern. Making it a really warm social hub in which to immerse yourself.
From the beginning, you have access to several unique areas, each with its own atmosphere. My personal favorites (unsurprisingly) are the ones with a magical or mysterious vibe — like the enchanted temple or the strange, mushroom-covered zone I haven’t quite figured out yet. I love that sense of mystery, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
There are also all these little things that guide and consolidate in Seeds of Calamity. Such as having your very own forecast news through a crystal ball. And contrary to the real forecasts that we all know, it’s actually accurate! Here’s a detail that can make you smile in the morning.
The dungeons are engaging without being overwhelming. The combat system is simple enough for non-RPG players to pick up quickly, but still interesting enough to stay fun. And no matter what happens inside, you always leave with some useful resources. The randomized layout of the dungeon walls also keeps things feeling fresh each time you enter.
As a fan of puzzle games, one of my favorite features is the “Fallen Log” — seemingly ordinary pieces of wood that hide two mischievous spirits. These characters challenge you with riddles tied to your harvest and scavenging efforts, creating a clever link between different gameplay systems. A really nice addition to the life of a farmer/adventurer post-disaster. The gameplay is smooth and accessible. You regularly receive helpful prompts to guide your actions, so you’re rarely lost or unsure about what to do next. As you can see, Seeds of Calamity has a lot of good points.
The Cons of Seeds of Calamity – A Few Weeds In An Otherwise Fertile Field
Of course, as an early access game, there are also a few hiccups.
You have a magical companion — your grimoire — that sometimes opens itself at random. Whether you’re hanging out in the tavern or exploring a new region, it occasionally just pops open for no reason. It doesn’t break the game, but after a while, it gets mildly annoying.
The second thing is that there’s a recurring issue with the “exit” button in some shops. It simply doesn’t work. If you open a shop’s menu and decide not to buy anything, you can’t back out with the usual button — you’ll need to press the Escape key instead. Again, not a game-breaking bug, but one that interrupts the rhythm of play a little too often.
The final “cons” may be more about personal preferences. I had the occasion to play through the “rain festival” and the “pine lilies festival”. Special events, where the village is decorated and every villager is out selling goods and/or chatting with everyone and playing some game. While I appreciate the themed decorations and festive vibe, the content of the events felt a bit thin. A single mini-game and a few dialogue options didn’t offer enough to keep me engaged for long, though I hope other festivals bring more variety.
Final Thoughts
I started Seeds of Calamity by diving straight into farming — or rather, gardening. I spent days clearing the land around my house: cutting down trees, breaking rocks, picking up scattered wood. It was… a lot of work. At first, it wasn’t particularly fun. But once I stepped back and admired my clean, ready-to-use garden, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment.
That’s when I began meeting the villagers, taking on quests, and exploring new areas. And with that, the game opened up.
Seeds of Calamity became a delightful blend of story, mechanics, and atmosphere — and I’m looking forward to uncovering everything it has to offer.
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