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Roots of Pacha

Roots of Pacha

Soda Den · released Apr 25, 2023

IndieRPGSimulation

The charming and relaxing stone-age farming sim where you live in a thriving community exploring the wonderful world of Pacha. Discover "ideas," domesticate crops, befriend animals, and help your village grow. Play co-op with friends or explore the early days of civilization in single-player.

Steam page ↗OpenCritic ↗
86
VGC Score
■Stablehigh confidence

anchored at patch: “🎊 The Anniversary Update is OUT! 🎊” (4mo ago)

86%
At launch
94%
Steam all-time
84%
Press
86%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)–8420
All-time Steam reviews94%881000
Metacritic user ratings––0
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)86%80189
Calibration prior (typical game)–7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Apr 16, 2026) · 189 reviews sampled · 181 total reviews in window · weighted 142 up / 22.8 down · computed 6h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (17)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 90
    Pure NintendoPure Nintendo
    trust 80Dec 27, 2023

    “Roots of Pacha is a single player or co-op farming/life simulator in which you build relationships, a village, and human history. Taking place during the stone age, you and your clan settle on new land and work together to make a village. Farm, cook, fish, craft, and more in this fun and relaxing game that's sure to keep you entertained for hours.”

    read full review ↗
  • 100
    La Orden del PixelLa Orden del Pixel
    trust 77Aug 7, 2023

    “Roots of Pacha is an excellent video game, which I enjoyed a lot and that despite sharing several similarities, knows how to move away from the path of Stardew Valley. A title that embraces the roots of the genre but adding unique systems that suit it wonderfully, resulting in a very solid proposal.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Gaming ProfessorsGaming Professors
    trust 76Sep 8, 2024

    “Roots of Pacha offers a refreshing take on the farming simulator genre, thanks to its new ideas and mechanics, entertaining mini-games, and, last but not least, its emphasis on collective life rather than the protagonist’s individual life. One of the game’s key driving forces is the element of discovering new tools.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    MinimapMinimap
    trust 68Oct 12, 2024

    “In conclusion, Roots of Pacha is a solid entry in the farming simulator genre that brings several innovative ideas to the table. Its unique setting, community-focused gameplay, and rich character development offer a refreshing experience for both longtime genre fans and newcomers. While there's room for improvement in areas like audio variety and user interface clarity, the game's strengths outweigh its weaknesses.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    ZTGDZTGD
    trust 68Aug 29, 2024

    “Roots of Pacha on is a delightful farming simulation that stands out for its unique setting, charming art style, and engaging gameplay. It’s a game that invites you to slow down, connect with a vibrant community, and experience the joys of ancient agriculture. Whether you’re a seasoned fan of the genre or new to the farm, Roots of Pacha is a wonderful game that offers a rewarding and heartwarming journey into the past.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    GameGrinGameGrin
    trust 65May 15, 2023

    “Roots of Pacha is a refreshing take on the farming/life sim genre, with great ideas and features. However, there are little annoyances that might turn off some.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    LadiesGamers.comLadiesGamers.com
    trust 64Apr 24, 2023

    “There is so much to Roots of Pacha, all packed into a gameplay time of around 40 hours. You can see the love the developers have put into the game as you play, and, amazingly, it was all developed by such a small team. If simulation, farming, crafting, and so much more are what you enjoy in a game, then Roots of Pacha is worth checking out.”

    read full review ↗
  • 88
    PC GamerPC Gamer
    trust 64May 4, 2023

    “Even amidst the farming sim renaissance, Roots of Pacha cultivates a charming, community-driven vision of the Stone Age that's endlessly satisfying and always enchanting.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    Try Hard GuidesTry Hard Guides
    trust 63Apr 28, 2023

    “Roots of Pacha is a game that innovates on the farming sim design, offering familiar gameplay with fresh new mechanics and a unique setting. Fans of the genre or those looking to get into it should definitely give Roots of Pacha a try.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Screen RantScreen Rant
    trust 61Nov 27, 2023

    “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.”

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    SwitchabooSwitchaboo
    trust 60Nov 28, 2023

    “Roots of Pacha is a wonderful breath of fresh air in a recently oversaturated genre. Its setting and story development feel like a natural fit, providing a magnificent sense of discovery and intrigue. In addition, the item management and UI are the most intuitive we’ve ever experienced in a farming sim, allowing players to enjoy the game without unnecessary frustration. As Roots of Pacha doesn’t explicitly mention any specific civilisation for its inspiration, the story and setting feel open and relatable. The plot and its cultural elements make the game feel connected with reality, and even on occasion, you may notice some on-the-nose inspirations from a variety of indigenous stories.”

    read full review ↗
  • 100
    Thumb CultureThumb Culture
    trust 60Nov 27, 2023

    “Roots of Pacha is a cozy farming simulator that you can sit back and lose hours in with. It’s impossible to not compare it to games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon but it stands on its own two feet with an interesting story, unique minigames, and quality-of-life updates. While it can be a bit clunky in certain aspects, the vibes are unmatched and leave me reaching for my Switch throughout the day to check on my animals, decorate my home, and talk to my favourite NPCs, looking at you, Garrek. If you’re a fan of cozy farming simulators then Roots of Pacha is definitely one that needs adding to your library.”

    read full review ↗

…and 5 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. 🎊 The Anniversary Update is OUT! 🎊
    Apr 16, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  2. Unity Security Update
    Oct 9, 2025
  3. Minor Patch 1.3.0 (5)
    May 29, 2025
  4. Minor Patch 1.3.0 (4)
    May 8, 2025
  5. Minor Patch 1.3.0 (3)
    May 1, 2025
  6. Hotfix 1.3.0 (2)
    Apr 22, 2025
  7. The Roots of Pacha 1.3 Update is out!
    Apr 22, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  8. Devlog 57: 🔥💧 The 1.3 Update Drops Tomorrow!
    Apr 21, 2025
  9. Devlog 56: ⭐ 2 Devlogs Until the 1.3 Update
    Apr 19, 2025
  10. Devlog 55: ⭐ 3 Devlogs Until the 1.3 Update
    Apr 17, 2025
  11. Devlog 54: ⭐ 4 Devlogs Until the 1.3 Update
    Apr 14, 2025
  12. Devlog 53: ⭐ 5 Devlogs Until the 1.3 Update
    Apr 10, 2025
  13. Devlog 52: ⭐ 6 Devlogs Until the 1.3 Update
    Apr 3, 2025
  14. Devlog 51: ⭐ 7 Devlogs Until the 1.3 Update
    Mar 28, 2025significant · resets scoring window
  15. Minor Patch 1.2.0 (5)
    Oct 7, 2024
  16. Minor Patch 1.2.0 (4)
    Sep 11, 2024
  17. Minor Patch 1.2.0 (3)
    Aug 13, 2024
  18. Minor Patch 1.2.0 (2)
    Aug 2, 2024
  19. 🔥 Roots of Pacha 1.2 update OUT NOW! 🔥
    Jul 31, 2024
  20. Devlog 43: 🎊 1.2 update is almost here!
    Jun 17, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  21. Devlog 42.1: Bonus!
    Mar 27, 2024
  22. Devlog 42: What’s to come in the 1.2 and 1.3 update!
    Mar 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window
  23. Minor Patch 1.1.0 (4)
    Jan 9, 2024
  24. Minor Patch 1.1.0 (3)
    Dec 21, 2023
  25. Version 1.1.0 (2)
    Dec 7, 2023
  26. Devlog 41: The 1.1 Update is out!
    Nov 28, 2023
  27. Devlog 40: 1.1 Update and Consoles
    Oct 30, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  28. Devlog #39
    Sep 1, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  29. 1.0.14 (1)
    Jul 1, 2023
  30. QoL Update Live Now!
    Jun 29, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  31. 1.0.12 (Build #11360576) Hotfix
    May 31, 2023
  32. 1.0.12
    May 26, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  33. 1.0.11.1 Hotfix
    May 23, 2023
  34. 1.0.11
    May 19, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  35. 1.0.10
    May 12, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  36. 1.0.9
    May 5, 2023significant · resets scoring window
  37. 1.0.8
    May 1, 2023
  38. 1.0.7
    Apr 29, 2023
  39. 1.0.6
    Apr 29, 2023
  40. 1.0.5
    Apr 27, 2023

…and 8 earlier patch announcements.