Kalimba Reviews
Kaimba isn't much to look at, but the clever puzzle-platforming is charming all its own.
Kalimba is a beautiful, cheerful platformer that finds a neat middle ground between reflex-oriented running and taxing puzzle solving.
Kalimba's multitasking isn't as gimmicky as its two-character gameplay premise implies.
Kalimba is an action-packed platformer that experiments with a lot of puzzles and design gimmicks to consistently provide a genuine challenge. It is devilishly difficult and there are times when the level design and touchy mechanics don't complement this very well, mainly instances that require dumb luck rather than intuitive skill.
Kalimba is relatively short if you're looking to just rattle through the story mode – I got through the it in a couple of hours – but the longevity comes from the repetition and the desire for that perfect run. I am now going back through the levels trying to get gold on all of them and make my totem pole glorious.
Kalimba is a fantastic, colourful little game with a unique mechanic, but it's no pushover.
Careful, extremely nice in the design of the characters, with a captivating personality, Kalimba is a game perhaps a little short, but fun and capable of making many expletives to those who decide to complete it in every aspect.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Kalimba is an enjoyable solo romp, but to get the full experience you're going to need a local co-op partner; trust me, the juice is worth the squeeze if a couch friend is hard to come by. That inherently limits the game, but since both adventures are worth playing through fully, there's a lot of meat here for a seemingly small puzzle title. I hope it gets more traction despite the fact that it's limited to the Xbox One at the moment.
If you're looking for a difficult yet incredibly fun platformer, look no further. While some of the game mechanics will leave you somewhat weary, overcoming the puzzles is very rewarding, especially when doing so with a friend. Kalimba offers a fresh new take on the traditional platformer, one that will cause both fits of rage and laughter.
While it could have used a handful of additional levels, Kalimba's challenging gameplay, humorous story and colorful visuals help it stand out from the crowd.
A bold and smart Xbox One indie platformer, Kalimba takes a simple and clever idea, transforming it into something that's equal parts tough and rewarding. Totem-ally worth a look.
I only wish Kalimba were a bit longer, because its inventive puzzles, charming art style, and tight controls equal a winning combination for this quaint puzzle-platformer.
A wonderfully complete package
Press Play brings us a clever puzzle platformer with Kalimba but it may be more frustrating than it needs to be.
Kalimba is a quiet, unclaimed yet remarkable title that offers an interesting experience. Perhaps the existence of problems such as shortness or lack of proper story will make us unable to enjoy the game so much, but for platform enthusiasts, Kalimba will be a satisfying title.
Review in Persian | Read full review
While there are some problems with release day DLC and graphical display issues, Press Play has created something truly unique in this indie game and it is well worth the price!
Difficulty is hard to review, and most of Kalimba's issues stem from poor balancing. Running into devious sections only to find the follow-ups to be almost rudimentary is jarring. Fortunately, the core mechanic is very enjoyable. While Kalimba could have spent more time under the microscope, the interesting mechanic and beautiful visuals should be enough to convince even the most dismissive PC gamer that there's much more to explore here, and, for that, Kalimba should be applauded.
Kalimba is a solid puzzle platformer that is trickier than expected. The puzzles and platforming are done so well that the ability to control more than one character simultaneously doesn't feel like a gimmick. The game may have a relatively short campaign, but there are many modes and difficult goals to keep the player coming back for more. Puzzle platforming fans should flock to this sleeper title.
A charming platformer that's both tough and fun, Kalimba is a success in almost every aspect.
Kalimba - in a lot of ways - is a throwback of sorts. It can be completed in a few short sittings, has an unrelenting difficulty level and features wonderful 2D art. However, the game also manages to put players in gaming situations they have never been in before. It's a surprisingly fresh experience that can be incredibly rewarding and despite it being seemingly impossible at times, players who love a sizable - but fair - challenge will find a lot to love within Kalimba.