Reference cover image reused from the Japanese guide. Artwork may differ by edition. Game artwork belongs to its respective rights holders.
Tail of the Sun Guides
Tail of the Sun is a freeform life simulation set in prehistoric times. Guide a prehistoric person through hunting and gathering while developing the tribe itself. Instead of presenting a clear goal of completing the game, it offers a vague but grand ambition: stack enormous mammoth tusks into a tower reaching the sun. Watch over prehistoric life, wander the world, and find your own way to play. In 2025, it was rereleased for Steam and Switch as part of ARTDINK GAME LOG, making it accessible again.
English translation of the existing Japanese guide. Japanese-release names and mechanics are retained; this is not a new gameplay verification or a claim of complete coverage.
Early game: get used to the world
Learn the controls and movement and understand how prehistoric people live
- ・Walk your prehistoric person around to assess the terrain and sense of distance
- ・Touch nearby things that look edible and observe the response
- ・Observe changes brought by day, night, and the passage of time
Midgame: establish a way of life
Make hunting and gathering consistent and establish a cycle that sustains the tribe
- ・Try different approaches to prey and observe how each type moves
- ・Use gathered food to maintain a cycle that keeps hunger at bay
- ・Gradually expand your range from the settlement
Late game: work toward larger goals
Pursue your own long-term goals, such as collecting mammoth tusks
- ・Investigate where and under what conditions large prey appears
- ・Connect what you collect to the goal of building a tower
- ・Continue enjoying the world rather than focusing only on completion
Problem: Unsure what to do and unable to get started
Cause: The open design does not display clear quests or goals, making it hard to progress if you wait for instructions
Solution: Begin by moving and hunting repeatedly, with keeping the tribe alive as your immediate goal
Problem: Your prehistoric person weakens and cannot keep going
Cause: You are not keeping up with hunger or survival requirements
Solution: Prioritize food, establish a reliable gathering and hunting cycle, then expand your exploration range
Problem: Unable to see how to approach the larger objective
Cause: The final goal, such as building a tower, is vague and the process is not explicitly laid out
Solution: Treat daily hunting and gathering as contributions to the result, and work toward it gradually over a long period
🌄 Find a direction and goals in a freeform world
Tail of the Sun drops you into a vast prehistoric world immediately, with nobody telling you what to do next. Start calmly by walking your prehistoric person around and observing the terrain, creatures, and passage of time. Getting a feel for the world forms the foundation of everything you do afterward.
Progression and goals — read →🌿 Basic controls and the daily-life cycle of your prehistoric people
You guide a prehistoric person directly, moving them through the world on foot. The distinctive controls mean that even moving as intended takes practice at first. Move gradually without rushing, and become familiar with walking and changing direction.
Basic controls and daily life — read →🍖 Securing food and the basics of hunting
Edible things are scattered around the world, and gathering them provides the basis of daily life. Regularly securing nearby food makes it easier to respond before your prehistoric person weakens. Begin by developing a habit of gathering what is close at hand.
Food and hunting — read →
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Tail of the Sun Guide FAQ
eShop ¥10,000
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Tail of the Sun Buying and setup FAQ
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Roguelike Design Theory
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