Polygon Treehouse’s approach to modernizing a point-and-click adventure will satisfy players looking for a cozy weekend game or an engaging experience they can easily return to at any time. The graphic artwork will intrigue you and the soundtrack will keep you engaged throughout the game while you solve various puzzles. Röki is not only a feast for the eyes but also the ears. I would recommend this game to anyone who enjoys solving puzzles and is looking for a short, story-driven game. Although the game is heavily themed around grief, each of the characters find redemption and forgiveness.
Rörka’s backstory is so deeply laced with tragedy that she nearly becomes a sympathetic villain. One of my favorite parts of the game was learning about Rörka through cutscenes as Tove progresses closer to rescuing Lars. Grief and loss are layered throughout the story. His grief comes from observation, but he actively works to cheer up his sister and father the best that he can. As for Lars, he was just a baby when their mother died. It’s clear from the beginning of the game that Henrik is an alcoholic and is numbing his grief to the point that he isn’t aware of his children. She primarily takes care of Lars, but she also cooks, cleans, and ensures they don’t freeze to death in their mountain cabin. Tove, about fifteen years old, takes on the role of pseudo-mother. Tove and her father Henrik are both grieving the loss of Eva, Tove’s mother. What I found most poignant about each of the characters is how they interpret and process loss. They each left a huge impression on me, especially Tove, because I relate to her struggle as the eldest child trying to keep the family together after tragedy. It would not be an exaggeration for me to say I think about at least one of these characters once a week. If you’re the type of person (like me) who can be easily distracted by these types of interjections from characters, I would recommend changing the settings so you can still enjoy the music. The good news is this is easily remedied by accessing the Audio Settings and switching the character voices off.
Oftentimes when I was reading different dialogue and Tove would make crying sounds, I was unsure whether or not I was also meant to be sad in that moment as a player. There were times when Tove cries and says “Lars” whenever she is thinking about her brother. However, there were times when these sound bites were distracting, especially when reading important story text. Tove often goes “Hmmm” when hinting that an item is important but doesn’t fit the current objective. Sometimes the sounds were helpful to guide the player through the puzzles. Whether the goal was to make the player feel sad or determined, the music alone is worth giving this game a shot.Īlthough the game is primarily text-based, the characters do have sound bites and lines that tend to repeat throughout the game. It is beautifully moving and hits every emotional nerve. If I received a dollar for every time the music in Röki made me cry the game would have literally paid for itself. Not only were they visually appealing, they also strengthened the storytelling aspect, adding a sense of danger, curiosity, playfulness, dread, or joy. Röki is definitely one of the most unique games I’ve ever played when it comes to graphics and composition. It provided a feeling of caution and curiosity while you solved each puzzle to progress forward. Each part of the level made Tove feel smaller and smaller, reflecting how she is a tiny human compared to the house of a God. One of my favorite scenes was entering the domain of Jötunúlfur, the Wolf of Spring. Although Röki primarily uses fixed camera angles, the creators at Polygon Treehouse have expertly utilized 3D animation to enhance gameplay, providing the player with unique viewpoints that add extra challenges to each puzzle. Players will enjoy the color schemes while exploring the world and discovering its secrets. The scenery throughout every level is layered, making the world large and rich with perspective. An enriching visual experience, Röki offers a unique art style in which anyone can get lost.
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