Roots of Pacha: Everything We Know

Are you struggling to compensate for that post-Stardew Valley blues? Then you're in the right place, because as luck would have it, indie developer Soda Den is cooking up Roots of Pacha, an all-new charming little number that will envelope all the same ingredients as its peers and add a Stone Age twist to the signature life and farming simulation mix.

So, what do we actually know about the so-called Roots of Pacha, other than its blatant nod to some of the biggest farming sim games on the current market? Well, here's everything we've been able to scrape from the barrel to date, from the moment it made its initial Kickstarter appearance, to Soda Den's most recent formal announcement.

What Is Roots of Pacha?

Roots of Pacha is an upcoming farming and life simulation game by Soda Den, a small-time studio that consists of two brothers, Timo and Joni. True to its Stardew Valley-like format, the game will boast a smooth blend of planting, harvesting, and world building, all of which will come presented in a vibrant Stone Age backdrop. The idea here, which of course sets the game apart from its sources of inspiration, is that you assume control of “the first farmer,” and thus, the first ever farm in human history.

“We loved playing Harvest Moon growing up, so it was a huge inspiration when thinking of what kind of game we’d like to make,” Timo and Joni of Soda Den commented. “Then one of us thought, instead of inheriting your farm, what if you were the first farmer ever? This reminded us of Timo’s favourite book series, Earth's Children by Jean M. Auel that’s set in prehistoric times. Combining those ideas created something that we were both excited to work on.”

Story

Roots of Pacha is set during the Stone Age, a period where resources are scarce and seasons are fierce. Your role in the tale of an up-and-coming tribe, really, is to evolve not only as a community, but as a species, using your knowledge of the newfound land and its natural commodities to help develop a prosperous world that's both gleaming with life and technical innovations. How you reach such a point, however, is entirely up to you, and all dependent on the paths you take from the moment you pass the threshold, to the second you monopolize the land.

“Begin your journey of discovery as you develop the tools and ideas that reshaped the primitive world,” the official Steam listing reads in part. “Learn to process and preserve food (meat, vegetarian, and vegan options), begin metalworking, create beautiful pottery and art, unlock your clan’s spirituality, and invent new buildings to expand your village any way you want.”

Gameplay

At its core, Roots of Pacha is very much a multiplayer-based farming simulation game, and one that evidently takes a lot of inspiration from the likes of Stardew Valley and other noteworthy cult classics. To this end, players can expect to see plenty of customization, developing, and planning your tribe's future from the heart of the community. This, of course, means researching innovative ideas, buildings, and blueprints that will in turn bridge the gaps between the Stone Age and present day.

“Discover, gather, and farm vegetables and herbs,” the description adds. “Explore the surrounding wilderness to find animals to befriend and domesticate; fish the shallow and deep waters to see what lies in their depths; and mine the darkest caves filled with mysteries and secret powers.”

Development

Roots of Pacha is being developed by Soda Den, an independent studio that formed under the banner of two like-minded siblings. According to the developer's portfolio, the upcoming farming simulation game will serve as its first official project. It was confirmed back in 2022 that the game would initially launch on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, and then proceed to both ex-gen and current gen consoles shortly after. You can read more on the release date, editions, and platforms in the section below.

Trailer

Soda Den officially lifted the veil on Roots of Pacha following its successful Kickstarter campaign back in 2022. Since then, the farming sim has received a more in-depth gameplay trailer, as well as a release date trailer, both of which have shed an additional light on the game's premise, setting, and features. You can see the original announcement in the video above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Roots of Pacha will be coming to PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store on April 25, 2023, and will be releasing on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch “soon after launch.” It hasn't been mentioned when exactly the game will be launching on home consoles, though rumors claim it will be more towards mid-2023.

It is worth pointing out that, in spite of Game Pass and PlayStation Plus' history of hosting indie-led farming sims, Roots of Pacha will not be coming to either subscription-based platform as a day-one exclusive. Is this likely to change? Absolutely. At present, though, it seems the only version will be the full-priced bog-standard digital one. Interested? You can add it to your Wishlist on Steam by following the link here.

As far as launch editions go, neither Soda Den nor its publisher Crytivo have mentioned anything outside of its run-of-the-mill digital version. Is this likely to open the doors to a slew of special editions in the future? Who knows. At this point, though, it appears the only viable way of getting your hands on a copy is through Steam or the Epic Games Store.

For more updates on the Roots of Pacha release, be sure to check in with the official social handle here. We'll be sure to let you know if any new details should they come to light between now and April 25th.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Roots of Pacha when it releases? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.