The problem with games like "Kynseed" is that it is almost impossible to actually finish them. The problem with a game like "Kynseed" is that it is almost impossible to actually finish it, not in the sense that there is no end point, but in the sense that there is a long lead time between starting the game and finishing everything it has to offer. Elder Scrolls" and Western RPG elements, and it's a jam-packed game that delivers on both counts with aplomb.

Kynseed's overall premise relies on the most basic British folk tales and fairy tales as its narrative hook. In the land of Quill, you and your sibling are one of several sets of twins who live with an old woman who lives in a shoe. During this time, you and your twin begin to have spooky dreams in which a rabbit-like fairy named Ms. Fairweather appears.

In the prologue, players will explore the Vale, perform tasks for the villagers of Candlewitch Village, examine the ancient remnants of the Cuckoo Wood and Moss Whisper ruins, and learn about the little rituals the Vale's inhabitants perform to satisfy the three goddesses: Druida, Morwenna, and Hyalis, and learn about the small rituals performed by the inhabitants of the Vale to satisfy the three goddesses: Druida, Morwenna, and Hyalis. Players with a keen eye will soon learn that all is not as peaceful and idyllic as everyone believes.

Besides following the central story, players can choose to play in a variety of ways: there are six skill trees, each covering gardening, cooking, fishing, exploring, melee combat, and long-range combat. They can focus solely on the farm, farming the land and livestock until every inch of Willowdown Farm is self-sufficient and profitable, or they can travel all over Quill in search of secrets and treasures. You can focus on buying a store in town and starting a family, or you can take a cue from "Crusader Kings" and create a long and powerful family tree that spans generations. There is no wrong way to play, and it can be a bit of a pain for players accustomed to more structured games. For example, I once spent the first few days of play immersed in finding all the mapstones in the game. The freedom to explore and interact with random townspeople has been a large part of my enjoyment of Kynseed so far.

Combat is probably the most surprising aspect of Kynseed. Because the game wants you to focus on the peaceful, neighborly interactions between your avatar and the common folk of Quill, combat occurs in only three forest dungeons, at least initially: the Simple Wood, Midwood, and Tough Wood. Before entering each forest, you choose a load-out, a campfire meal (which restores your strength), and a weapon that you can forge yourself. Once inside, you control everything from the difficulty of each battle room to the type of battlefield effect currently in play.

The battles themselves show how free and flexible the combat system is. Much effort has gone into creating a system that is easy to learn but difficult to master. As you fight, you can move between three different locations: up, in, and down. You can attack monsters in front of and directly beside you by pressing A, X, or Y on the controller; you can select items with the B button and aim your ranged weapon at enemies with the right trigger. When one of the four enemies on the board is defeated, the remaining enemies may move to a position where they are easier to attack, or new enemies may appear. Where they move and how many times they attack depends on their stamina.

Combat seems very complicated, but in fact most of the systems in "Cain Seed" are this deep. For example, blacksmithing. You can spend five brass coins to rent a forge and craft any number of items from metal ores lying around or in your inventory. In most games, the actual forging of weapons and tools is omitted at this point. Even games like Final Fantasy XIV, known for its complex mini-games for peaceful tasks, skip this part. Cain Seed is different. Here the ore must be melted, poured into a mold, hammered at specific points along the blade, quenched, and finally sharpened. The same goes for cooking or making medicine. Even romantic relationships take on the tinge of this kind of mini-game, where players must follow specific instructions to make their dates happy.

It can be a lot to manage, so I have two pieces of advice: don't skip the tutorial and don't hesitate to use the help guides and tips that the game gives you. I have two pieces of advice: don't skip the tutorial and don't hesitate to use the help guides and tips that the game gives you. I completely missed on my first playthrough how to point to the objective markers (little fairies called "thutterways" that live in your hair and point you in the right direction) and how you can activate the goddess statues you find and pay the apple tax for fast travel.

What I enjoy most about Kynseed is neither the complexity of the system nor the originality of the story. It's not the beautiful 2D dots, or the fact that the music changes from cheerful to elegant in an instant when you enter an area. Nor is it the interaction with the villagers, the building of relationships, or the discovery of clever secrets. It's a very successful mix of the profound and the mundane, from bundling radishes for a man you meet to piecing together a supernatural mystery one moment and the next. I would have liked a clearer explanation of the time-saving tools. But if you like watching the seasons change in "Animal Crossing" or following the rise of a powerful clan in "Crusader Kings," you'll love "Cain Seed."