There are certain games that become more to you than what they are on the surface. They remind you of core memories from your life. They make you feel things you haven’t felt for a while. Koira reminded me of my dog, Betty, who passed away a few years ago. There’s nothing worse than saying goodbye to your best friend, and while plenty of things remind me of her, it is the simplicity of playing in the snow, sitting in silence, and spending time together while the world moves on around you.
While there is a strong story in Koira, I found a lot of joy in the quieter moments. Building a snowman together, watching the clouds, and playing hide and seek. You’ll have times where you simply exist in the same space and soak in the world around you. In a game without dialogue, Studio Tolima has still managed to deliver something that has just as much heart as anything with spoken voices. Embarking on an adventure filled with music and nature, friendship and love, it’s one that needs to be played.
Awakening in a forest far from home, you soon find a puppy who becomes a close companion. There are various environmental puzzles that must be solved to progress. None of these puzzles are particularly tricky, but they do help to break up exploration and give you something fun to do together. Music is the way you communicate, and finding notes help interact with mythical statues. The gorgeous score that plays has moments of subtlety and beauty, empowering you as you uncover the mystery of the forest.
Those times when you are appreciating the beauty of your surroundings are cut short by the ominous presence of hunters: dark figures with glowing eyes. As you progress, you start to see them more, and those mysteries begin to unravel. Still, that threat can be eased by the power of music. Koira continually manages to do something different on a smaller scale than you imagine, and that friendship between you and your puppy grows stronger as you work together to overcome the dangers luring in the shadows.
Along the way, you’ll encounter other creatures that may seem threatening at first, but like you, they’ve been affected by the hunters. One particular section involving wild hogs became one of my favourites. After having to avoid being charged down by a group of them, you soon find that they’re just protecting their young. After freeing one of them from a cage, it all becomes clear they just want to be safe. This message of family and love is a powerful theme of Koira; being there for those you love and finding solace in each other’s company.
There are echoes of thatgamecompany’s Journey in Koira. While it might not be everyone’s kind of game, it’s a precious piece of art that should be played. There’s no combat. You aren’t talking to NPCs or levelling up. This isn’t that type of game. What you are doing is soaking in the wonders of nature through moments of closeness with your puppy and enjoying the little things in life. While some of the puzzles aren’t difficult, it’s all about the adventure you’re on together, and more importantly, the journey.
Koira is a beautiful little adventure that puts emphasis on the relationship between us and animals. Between nature and music. Love and family. The puzzles won’t stump you for long, and there’s not a massive challenge in its gameplay, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the beauty at its core. The way music plays a role in gameplay is fantastic, and a score that complements the journey, there’s something cathartic about existing in this gorgeous world with the cutest puppy imaginable.
