Giraffe and Annika Reviews
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 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.
I couldn’t help but to feel underwhelmed by Giraffe and Annika, with its adventure doing little to excite during its fairly short runtime. It’s not that anything was particularly bad about the game… there’s just not a whole lot to it. Sure, the vibrant world and quirky narrative do bring some charm to the journey and I enjoyed the rhythm-based battles, but everything else about Giraffe and Annika lacked any real spark of excitement to makes its adventure one that’s worth investing your time into.
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.
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.
WORTH CONSIDERING - Overall, the story is worth playing through. It is touching and has an ending that is quite good. The manga panel presentation of the story telling is very cool, and the music is absolutely wonderful. However, with all the unnecessary padding, inability to destroy or at least incapacitate enemies, and the insanely idiotic control scheme that is enough to drive you crazy, it may not be worth the initial price tag of $30.
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.
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 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 clearly meant for gamers much younger than I but there were still some enjoyable parts to it for me.
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.
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 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.
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.
Giraffe and Annika is a game with a lot of potential, but it oversimplifies some aspects and tries to compensate this by creating mechanisms to delay the player's progression. Despite the lack of depth, the adventure is still a considerable option if the objective is to relax and unwind, especially for those who love to be entertained with musical game dynamics.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Giraffe and Annika is an aventure 3D game with some rhythm battle and a cute design that trasport you to Spica Island, a misterious and colorful place with many friends and five dungeons that helps you to recover Annikas memories. Perfect for all the family.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.