Röki Reviews
Folklore powers a heartfelt game of exploration and empathy.
Roki is one of the most pleasant surprises I've had this year. A lot of highly-touted AAA games have come out and disappointed me on some level, but this story about a young girl trying to keep her broken family together even when faced with impossible challenges and brutish monsters is incredibly heart-warming. I got choked up on more than a few occasions as these poor characters were put through the emotional wringer. Even beyond the narrative, I was delighted by the game's puzzles and how solving them usually led to something special happening. This might not be a difficult game for veterans of the adventure game genre, but I was truly satisfied from beginning to end.
I thought Röki was going to be a cute and throwaway little puzzle game with a light adventure wrapping, but Polygon Treehouse have gone so much further, and so much deeper than I was expecting. Like all great folklore stories, there is a quiet devastation lurking beneath Röki’s picturebook world, elevating this mythic tale of gods and monsters into the pantheon of all-time adventure game greats.
If you already played Roki, there's nothing to bring you back in. But if you missed before, then it's absolutely worth getting lost in.
Röki is a wonderful fairy tale adventure with an affecting story, delicately told. It's a shame that this Switch version doesn't take advantage of the unique console features, but it does nothing to diminish this lovely, warm point and click adventure.
With its heartfelt story, loveable characters and unique setting, Röki is a special game. Its adventure will keep you enthralled from start to finish.
Röki is a brilliant and emotional adventure that will appeal to all lovers of adventure games and well-told stories in general. The mature themes are handled in such a wonderfully appropriate way that it would make a perfect family game, and I loved the time I spent with Tove. Rather than a flatpack indentikit product, this is a game that has all the hallmarks of true artisanal craft and skill.
The only downside to this Roki PS5 port is that it fails to use any of the new technology available to it via the DualSense. I would have loved to hear the crunch of snow come via the controller instead of my TV, and maybe let me use the touchpad to select/drag/combine items from Tove's backpack-things that would have enhanced the experience and made it stand out from Roki's other releases. That said, this is a solid puzzle game and one I highly recommend devoting an afternoon or two to.
Röki’s pleasing aesthetics are well-matched by an absorbing story that always keeps you on your guard.
Röki is a title you don't want to miss, especially if you have any love for the rare adventure games of this genre.
Review in Russian |
Overall, Roki was a big win in my book. Initially, I found its family-friendly focus to be a detriment to my enjoyment in my first sitting with it. In my second, I began to appreciate more of what it was going for, and in my third sitting, I played for 5 hours without even realizing it. Roki has a lot going for it, including a unique story, well-done but straightforward mechanics, and a simply beautiful art style. Don’t let this one slip past you like a tomte hiding in his hat.
With a compact, but dense world to navigate – most of the game takes place in one sprawling interconnected area – you’ll learn your way around in no time. This is aided by the game’s clever fast travel system, which cuts down on pointless back and forth greatly.
Roki is a beautiful and wonderfully-crafted adventure game, carefully weaving Scandinavian folklore into a personal story of family bonds.
For those who find puzzle games interesting but the point-and-click genre a little dull, this is a fantastic middle ground that you will happily get lost in.
This game is human, and there’s not a better way to describe it. Röki’s earthy magic takes you on an emotional journey unrivalled in the indie scene so far. It strikes the perfect balance between childish wonder and adult themes.
Few of the game's problems would be insurmountable in the face of an engaging narrative.
While Röki doesn't do anything particularly new or interesting, it does present a gorgeous world and introduces those unfamiliar with many myths and legends to learn more about.
Röki is the heartfelt story of a family divided, and a lesson about trust, family, and strength. It preserves the magic and message of the folk tales it draws inspiration from.
As the first showing for Polygon Treehouse, Röki is an incredible first impression. While it doesn’t innovate much within the genre itself, it excels in the areas that matter, and it absolutely delivers the kind of experience you would be looking for from an adventure game.