When Persona 4 was first released, it resonated strongly with many players, evoking a unique and memorable experience. Such was the impact of Atlus' JRPG that it went on to inspire SunnySide, a new indie farming simulation game that melds multiple genres together.
SunnySide, a mosaic of farming, crafting, dungeon-crawling, cooking, creature-battling, and romance, clearly draws from this heritage. On its Steam page, the game presents as an ambitious project, seemingly a mix of Persona, Harvest Moon, Lake, and interior design elements of The Sims. Despite an initial presence on Kickstarter, it has surpassed expectations by launching on PC last month with future releases for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S in the pipeline.
Siavash Shahlaei, also known as Rainy and the mastermind behind SunnySide's concept, shared with Automaton that the inspiration for SunnySide's atmosphere originated from an older game, Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland. This game was a notable moment for Shahlaei, being the first time he truly savored a game's scenery and sounds. Later, Persona 4 rekindled this nostalgia, leading Shahlaei to endeavor to recreate the small Japanese town ambiance within SunnySide.
Beyond atmospheric influences, Atlus' JRPG also significantly shaped SunnySide's social systems framework. Studio co-president and narrative director Sydney Stockdale mentioned that they referred to Persona and Fruits Basket to craft compelling character arcs and development. Persona 4's handling of romance was particularly influential, guiding the game's method of emotionally engaging players with character stories, a core component in SunnySide's narrative.
For enthusiasts eagerly awaiting Persona 6, SunnySide offers an opportunity to engage with a diverse cast in a similar emotional and social experience. While we anticipate more details from Atlus about their upcoming title, Metaphor ReFantazio, SunnySide stands ready to provide a rich, inspired adventure in the meantime.
