Leila
Critic Reviews for Leila
A cosy, brief, beautifully crafted narrative experience, Leila tells its story in a uniquely interactive way. It leverages its gorgeous hand-drawn artwork in its environmental puzzles, which tend to satisfy despite some occasional frustrating pixel hunting. Its short length does mean that you're left with more of an aesthetic wash rather than an impactful narrative journey, but for the right player, Leila's bite-sized story will be just enough of a cosy treat to satisfy.
Incredible in its narrative and gameplay, Leila is a must-have game for puzzle enthusiasts as well as those simply looking for a great story to experience, though it is one that will trigger introspection and emotions both happy and sad.
I really liked how the developers handled and told the story of the lead character, Leila. While it is not always comfortable to experience and tackle tough topics such as childhood trauma, mental health, and simply being human in the world we all share, it is incredibly impactful. The art design and sound are spot on, and it’s clear that the developers poured their heart and soul into this game. Leila won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy point-and-click games with a strong narrative and plenty of puzzles, then Leila might be the game for you.
After being drawn in by some eye-catching artwork, Leila backed it up with an engaging story and fun puzzles, albeit hampered by controller inputs rather than a mouse. This niggle aside, Leila is an easy recommend for those looking for an evening of puzzles alongside some heartfelt, thought-provoking storytelling.
If you enjoy adventures with hidden objects and don't crave complex puzzles, Leila is an ideal short narrative of a much more mature nature than we are used to in the genre. However, it's a disappointingly rushed narrative whose emotions don't have the power they should have.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Leila is an enchanting adventure that seamlessly combines a rich narrative, stunning visuals, and immersive gameplay. While it may not be suitable for younger audiences, older players will find themselves drawn into a world that feels like diving into a captivating novel—one that challenges the mind and resonates deeply, leaving a lasting sense of fulfilment.
Leila is a title that does things a little differently and definitely impresses with its great main soundtrack (there are many soundtracks available) and almost sublime hand-drawn illustrations. The voice acting of the female main character is not overwhelming but is certainly passable. The puzzles are also mostly of a good level, where you don't have to think too much, but where your brain can certainly be put to the test. It is not made too difficult, so that you often make progress after a few minutes. However, the controls quickly cause a tiring left hand due to the constant dragging through the screen and the interaction with objects. If they had been able to improve and limit that in some way, this could have been a gem. However, Leila is definitely worth playing and is perhaps 'the game' that will be overlooked by many too quickly.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Leila tells a story that most people should hear. It gets to the truth of ourselves in the hustle of each day with who we are and how we navigate life. However, at times, the story feels a bit rushed. We explore these moments with Leila and she opens up rather quickly. Some of these moments felt too quick or rushed through. In some ways, I wish this game would have been a bit longer to elaborate on certain moments and feelings. We know her marriage has become stagnant and yet we get very few glimpses as to why. By the end, we see she is more hopeful and free after a full day with this game console. Was her journey to self-forgiveness simply one day long?
