It was released for Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android and Stadia in August 2020.

It received generally positive reviews from critics praising its slow-paced gameplay, detailed animation, orchestral musical score, and unique themes, and had sold over a million units by December 2021.

This leads to the player collecting materials while on their journey to build kitchens, gardens, and other amenities to help the spirits feel more at home.

The game also has vendors that sell items such as seeds for the player's gardens and ingredients to use in various dishes, some of which are specifically requested by the spirit passengers.

After Charon passes through the Everdoor, Stella procures a ship of her own and begins travelling the world, picking up spirits and helping them fulfill their last wishes while befriending them along the way.

Hades then questions Stella's motivations, wondering whether her desire to help spirits is altruistic or simply a selfish means to ease her own insecurities.

Farming sections were much larger too, putting the original concept closer to competing simulation games like Harvest Moon and Stardew Valley.

Thunder Lotus made the decision to tone it back, making the resource collecting portions not as time consuming and setting it apart from those competitors.

Guérin also mentioned doing research at end-of-life care facilities for a month as well as asking staff for Spiritfarer personal stories of loved ones to help flesh out the characters that were already in the works.

[7] Rachel Watts of PC Gamer rated the game 85/100, saying that it is a "wholesome life-sim" that "deals with the topic of death and compassion with masterful balance".