Giraffe and Annika Reviews

Giraffe and Annika is ranked in the 20th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
6.5 / 10.0
Aug 21, 2020

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.

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7 / 10
Sep 19, 2020

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.

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8.5 / 10.0
Aug 6, 2017

It is a refreshing take on an adventure and rhythm game and I enjoyed it a lot more than I expected to.

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3 / 5.0
Aug 21, 2020

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.

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6.3 / 10.0
Mar 25, 2020

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.

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6.8 / 10.0
Aug 21, 2020

Giraffe and Annika manages to show a couple of good ideas, but doesn't excel in anything.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Renan Fontes
Top Critic
4 / 10
Mar 16, 2020

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.

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GameSpew
Becca S.
Top Critic
4 / 10.0
Aug 21, 2020

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.

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5.5 / 10.0
Aug 21, 2020

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.

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70 / 100
Aug 25, 2020

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

Aug 27, 2020

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.

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6.5 / 10.0
Sep 4, 2020

Giraffe and Annika is clearly meant for gamers much younger than I but there were still some enjoyable parts to it for me.

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4 / 10
Jan 30, 2022

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.

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7 / 10.0
Aug 22, 2020

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.

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8 / 10.0
Mar 10, 2020

Overall, Giraffe and Annika is some light fun that’ll last you about a good four to six hours depending on how much cat artwork that you want to search for. It’s short, sweet, and it never overstays its welcome which is something that a lot of others could learn from as there was a clear and concise story being told. Final verdict? It’s worth checking out!

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7 / 10.0
Feb 17, 2020

Giraffe and Annika is a charming indie title with catchy tunes and cute characters that shows atelier mimina's potential for future titles.

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7.5 / 10.0
Aug 21, 2020

Giraffe and Annika is a title that feels right for 2020. The evolution of the story as you meet fun and interesting characters overshadows much of the shortcomings, like the lack of challenge and somewhat disappointing dungeon sequences. Normally, a game with little difficulty that relies on its charm as entertainment isn’t really up my alley. But in a time where most people are stuck at home and surrounded by negativity, getting lost in an overly positive and relaxing island environment is a pleasant escape.

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Liked-a-lot
Aug 21, 2020

Giraffe and Annika is packed full of charm, a little childlike innocence, and a few rhythmic battles that break up the questing. They make up the unique title that Giraffe and Annika is and though I enjoyed the game I didn’t find it much of a challenge. Which bring me to the conclusion that Giraffe and Annika would be a fantastic game for a family with younger children to play-through together to discover the Islands of Spica. Alternatively, an adult can enjoy the game as well but don’t expect much of a challenge in any part of the game, just a chilled out experience.

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3.5 / 5.0
Aug 21, 2020

Though none of its constituent parts are world-beaters, the feelings they exude make Giraffe and Annika greater than their basic sum. It’s a game that’s ideal for both youngsters and those needing to spend some hours just relaxing or getting some warm, fuzzy feelings.

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5.5 / 10.0
Aug 21, 2020

Ever heard of the phrase “jack of all trades, master of none”? That’s Giraffe and Annika in a nutshell. It tries to be a Zelda clone, a rhythm game, an exploratory 3D platformer, and even a mini slice of life game all at the same time, without ever truly focusing on one aspect to make it truly stand out.

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