Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
Action
Adventure
RPG
Single-player
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Cloud
Family Sharing

Welcome to the eastern nation of Azuma! In this fresh take on Rune Factory, use your powers as an Earth Dancer to restore the land, its people, and even its gods. Along the way, battle corrupted monsters, rebuild seasonal farms and villages, and form bonds with the colorful locals.

Developers: Marvelous Inc.
Publishers: XSEED Games Marvelous USA, Inc. Marvelous Europe
Release Date: Jun 4, 2025
Price (USD): $59.99
Current Players: 1.8k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(92%)
engaging interactions
smooth combat
vibrant world
character design
solid performance
visual style
character designs
automation convenience
simplified farming
rushed story
limited depth
missing interiors
Overall, Guardians of Azuma is praised for its engaging character interactions, smooth combat, and vibrant world, marking a significant departure from previous entries in the series. While some players miss the depth of traditional farming mechanics, the new village building and management systems offer a fresh take that many find enjoyable. However, the simplified skill and crafting systems did not resonate with everyone. Graphics and performance are strong points, delivering a polished experience across platforms. While not all traditional fans may be pleased with the changes, the game successfully brings something fresh and creative to the series.

Positive Points

  • The game features an expansive and vibrant world filled with detailed environments and high-quality character designs.
  • Combat is smooth and fast-paced, offering a more engaging and real-time experience compared to previous entries.
  • Character interactions and story elements are well-developed, providing engaging dialogue and a more streamlined social system with bonding interactions.
  • The addition of village building and management introduces unique mechanics that add depth and strategy to the gameplay.
  • Performance is solid across platforms, with the game running smoothly and without significant bugs or crashes.
  • Negative Points

  • Many players felt the oversimplification of the farming mechanics and crafting system detracted from the depth and complexity seen in previous titles.
  • The skill tree system is seen as less engaging than traditional skill leveling, lacking depth and variety in progression.
  • Some mechanics and story elements feel rushed or underdeveloped, leading to a disjointed experience in some areas.
  • The lack of indoor environments and reduced interaction with character living spaces may detract from immersion and world-building.
  • Mixed Points

  • The visual style and graphics have been praised for their clarity and quality, but there is some criticism for losing the classic Rune Factory charm.
  • While character designs and personalities are often well-received, some players found certain characters and dialogue to be underwhelming or too cliché.
  • The automation and simplification in farming and village tasks were seen as convenient by some, but others miss the depth and player involvement of previous games.
  • Common Themes

  • Many players appreciate the game's departure from traditional Rune Factory mechanics, seeing it as a successful experiment that brings fresh elements to the series.
  • The story and character interactions are important focal points, with many enjoying the narrative despite its fast pacing.
  • There is a noticeable emphasis on combat and exploration, with farming elements taking a backseat, which has been a divisive change among players.
  • Graphics and performance across platforms are consistently highlighted as strong points, offering a fluid and visually appealing experience.
  • Updated 6/14/2025, 12:02:46 AM UTC