Giraffe and Annika Reviews
Like the rest of the experiences found on Spica Island, these rhythm battles can best be described as quaint. And while that term may not be the one publishers race to add to an accolades trailer, I hope the developers see it as the compliment I intend it to be. Because this is not the most engrossing game I'll play in 2020 or one I'll even remember six months from now. But the congenial nature of Giraffe and Annika was enough to be a welcoming, brief respite from an otherwise weary world.
It's a little ramshackle, but care and craft has gone into the making of Giraffe and Annika. There's nothing new here to speak of, but its disparate genres work well together and we had a good time unravelling the mysteries of Spica Island. A great game for kids and the young at heart, we're excited to see what developers Atelier Mimina do next.
Giraffe and Annika is meant for less experienced and younger gamers and does a good job of presenting a world for them to explore. There might not be much to see or challenges to overcome, besides some control issues, making it easy to understand its place. The cute story and vibrant visuals also make it easy to enjoy the simple charms, even if the rhythm sections are a bit on the rough side. While I wouldn't say this is a grand slam of a children's game, it's has enough redeeming aspects to play through it.
It is a refreshing take on an adventure and rhythm game and I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to.
Giraffe and Annika manages to show a couple of good ideas, but doesn't excel in anything.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Giraffe and Annika is a rhythm adventure game that is short on rhythm, and too heavy on the tedious portions of the adventure. Still, Giraffe and Annika manages to make the most of this title, with beautiful manga inspired panels, enjoyable dialog, and a very fun rhythmic battles, even if they are in short supply.
Giraffe and Annika is not a good game, which is a sad thing, as it feels like there is something missing. It's very rough, and is reminiscent it is one of those Unreal Engine 4 demos made by students. There are some redeeming qualities, like the charming character design, and a unique battle system for bosses, but it's so overshadowed by technical bizarreness and a lack of cohesive feeling that it's simply impossible to recommend to anyone but the biggest fans of Annika's design.
Giraffe and Annika is clearly meant for gamers much younger than I but there were still some enjoyable parts to it for me.
Giraffe and Annika is the first outing for Atelier Mimina, and as a statement of intent, it shows us a developer that we should be paying attention to.
Giraffe and Annika is a light game, a fairy tale with a clean manga aesthetic and full of subtleties. With too simplified environments and very simple mechanics for an exploration adventure, it brings its most original point a rhythmic system in the battle against bosses, although it appropriates many things that we have seen before. With all this, it is a pleasant and relaxing experience for all ages.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
At the end of the day, the gameplay isn't likely to compel you to spend the 5-10 hours needed to see the story through. Everything this game does is done better elsewhere, so dive back into the bottomless eShop sea and fish up another adventure. This Giraffe is better left on safari.
Giraffe and Annika takes around six hours to complete and, after seeing it through to its end, I wish there were more positive things to say about it.
Giraffe and Annika doesn't quite excel when it comes to its adventuring side - a pity considering how much time it ends up taking - but a charming, comic-esque presentation, and rhythm game boss fights at least make it interesting.
Giraffe and Annika certainly isn't the kind of game that you'll enjoy for its gameplay. Instead, its main appeal is found in its adorable and whimsical world that's filled with lovely sights and sounds that are sure to put a smile on your face throughout the adventure.
There's nothing quite like a good exploration / adventure title for a few hours of enjoyment and discovery, and for the most part that's where Giraffe and Annika delivers...
Giraffe and Annika may be a bit too simple for its own good but its childlike charm makes for a light and delightful adventure game.
Honestly, the amount of attention to detail and hidden touches is enough to make me recommend this game to platformer fans, but I reckon you may wanna go for the physical edition with extra goodies or wait for a digital sale if you want to check this out. Otherwise, this is a whimsical adventure that you’ll have a fun weekend with.
Overall, Giraffe and Annika is a bit of a weird experience. On the one hand, it feels very unrefined. Not unfinished by any means, just not polished to the degree it could be. On the other hand, it has a very solid grasp of the fundamental requirements for a 3D platformer and rhythm game, that somehow manages to mesh them quite decently. It's short, sweet, and relaxing, but also a little janky at times, and can get a little frustrating if you're used to a tighter control scheme. Honestly, Giraffe and Annika isn't going to appeal to everyone, particularly given that it feels geared to a younger audience but can pack the difficulty for those a little older than the narrative would seem to be geared for. If your looking for a nice little relaxing game as an offhand title, Giraffe and Annika may be something you want to pick up.
Giraffe and Annika, presents a great premise, mixing elements of exploration, platforms and rhythm. Still, its best features are the combination of graphic sequences with the soundtrack. Its plot, while not original, tends to leave a good image in the overall experience. For those looking for an adventure that owes nothing to a fairy tale, this is an excellent option to consider.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Still, even with the small nitpicks, there are quite a few things to enjoy in a low-pressure game like Giraffe and Annika.