If you’re like me, cozy farming games are a go-to when you need a relaxing escape. Something about slowly building up your farm, arranging things just right, and watching progress unfold at your own pace is deeply satisfying.

So, when I picked up Sugar Dew, I was eager to dive into its charming world. But after multiple crashes, frustrating mechanics, and a stamina system that actively made me resent my in-game existence, my relationship with this game turned into something far more complicated.

Let’s break it down.

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The Good: A Cozy Atmosphere with Some Clever Ideas

Despite my frustrations, Sugar Dew has some genuinely great features:

• Calming Music – The soundtrack is soothing and fits the cozy vibe.
• Connected Storage – Chests are linked, and items automatically pull from them when crafting. A small but fantastic quality-of-life feature.
• Bartering System & Guestbook – Running the store has a fun barter system that adds a unique touch, I like the idea of having to barter rather then just shoving your stuff in a box for pickup, and the guestbook is a cute detail.
• No Time Pressure – Unlike many farming sims, Sugar Dew doesn’t rush you. You can take things at your own pace.
• Freebies on the Islands – Visiting islands to pet animals gives you free seeds, which is a nice way to supplement your farm without spending money.

These elements show that Sugar Dew has the potential to be a great game, but right now, the execution is… rough.

The Frustrating: STAMINA BARS NEED TO GO & Other Clunky Mechanics

Let’s talk about the stamina system, because I am officially done with stamina bars. Not just in Sugar Dew, but in every farming game that insists on including them.

I get it, it’s a mechanic meant to add challenge. But here’s the thing: I don’t want challenge in my cozy farming game—I want to relax.

• Stamina drains way too fast. Water a few crops? You’re already exhausted.
• Food barely restores energy. You eat a whole meal, and it gives you a laughably small amount of stamina back.
• WHY does selling things drain energy?! I don’t lose stamina from spreading fertilizer, but running my store makes me need a nap? How does that make sense?

This isn’t even just about Sugar Dew. All farming games should follow Sun Haven’s example and give players the option to turn stamina off. If you like managing stamina, great! But for people like me who want to focus on building, decorating, and growing their farm without constantly fighting exhaustion, there should be an accessibility setting that removes it.

(Okay, stamina rant over—for now.)

Beyond that, Sugar Dew has other frustrating mechanics:

• Tool Upgrades Are a Nightmare – Ridiculously expensive to begin with especially when you take into account how slow you collect money, and at the moment, they literally don’t appear in my game due to a bug. When you take a quest beyond upgrading tools that upgrade locks and you will never get it.
• Money Grind is Slow – Progression feels unbalanced, making it hard to earn money at a reasonable pace. NPC depth in that game, you likely will be disappointed here.
• Limited Customization – I wanted more decorative options, or the ability to build my own barn space, but the game felt restrictive in that aspect.

It’s frustrating because these issues don’t seem like intentional design choices—they just feel unfinished.

The Bad: Bugs, Crashes, and the Rage Quit Moment

Now for the real dealbreaker: Sugar Dew is buggy. Very buggy.

• Game Crashes Constantly on Switch – I lost entire saves multiple times. My Switch randomly froze, teleported my character, and even crashed during cutscenes.
• Harmony Exchange Crash – If you don’t save before every Harmony Exchange, there’s a good chance your game will crash, potentially wiping your entire save.
• Tools Disappear if You Start a New Quest – Another game-breaking bug. If you accept a new quest, your ability to upgrade tools just vanishes.
• Game-Breaking Bugs Force Restarts – By the time I restarted my save for the fifth time, I was over it.

At one point, after yet another crash, I rage-quit. And I’m not even mad about it—just exhausted.

Final Thoughts: A Game with Potential… If It Gets Fixed

Right now, Sugar Dew feels like an early access game that wasn’t ready for full release. But here’s the silver lining: The developers seem receptive to feedback from what I have seen in YouTube comments from them. If they actively work on patches and improvements, this could turn into a fantastic farming sim.

For now, my advice is this: If you love cozy farming games and are willing to tolerate bugs, you might enjoy Sugar Dew—but only if you’re patient. If you want a polished experience, wait for updates.

Tips for Surviving Sugar Dew (Until Fixes Arrive):

1. Save Constantly – Especially before cutscenes or Harmony Exchanges.
2. Use the Chests – They’re all connected, making storage management easier.
3. Pet Animals on the Islands – Free seeds will help keep your farm going.
4. Turn Weeds into Wet Fertilizer – It’s a stamina free way to keep crops watered.
5. Set Your Expectations Low – And don’t get too attached to your save file.

Also, one last time for the people in the back: Give us an option to TURN OFF STAMINA.

I really hope this game gets the love and polish it needs because it could be something special. But for now? Proceed with caution.

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