Bramble: The Mountain King

About

Bramble: The Mountain King is a grim adventure set in a world inspired by dark, Nordic fables.Explore the beautiful yet dangerous and twisted land of Bramble in your endeavour to rescue your sister. Traverse a wondrous landscape and survive deadly encounters with Bramble's many hideous creatures.Not everything in Bramble is exactly how it seems - in this strange land with creatures big and sma…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,918 reviews

story477 positive mentions

replayability7 negative mentions

Stunning visuals and breathtaking environments that beautifully blend beauty and darkness.
Engaging storytelling that draws from Nordic folklore, creating a captivating narrative experience.
Excellent soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere and emotional impact of the game.

Gameplay can feel clunky and controls may lead to frustrating deaths due to awkward camera angles.
The game is relatively short, lasting around 4-6 hours, which may not justify the full price for some players.
Limited replayability with a linear structure that offers little exploration beyond the main path.

story
858 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
3%
The story of "Bramble: The Mountain King" is widely praised for its rich narrative steeped in Scandinavian folklore, blending dark themes with beautiful visuals and an immersive atmosphere. Players appreciate the emotional depth and character development, particularly the sibling bond at the heart of the tale, though some find the plot occasionally disjointed or simplistic. Overall, the game is celebrated as a captivating story-driven experience that effectively combines horror elements with enchanting storytelling.
- “The storyline in Bramble: The Mountain King is a highlight, seamlessly weaving together a narrative of self-discovery, friendship, and the courage to face one's fears.”
- “The story is darker than I imagined it would be, but I enjoyed that.”
- “Bramble: The Mountain King offers a unique blend of storytelling, magic, and eerie beauty.”
- “The encounters are well made but the plot is utter trash.”
- “The story feels forced.”
- “For a story-focused game, there was not much in the way of exposition or lore to understand who the characters were or why they did what they did.”
music
446 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The music in "Bramble: The Mountain King" is widely praised for its exceptional quality and emotional depth, enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Composed by Emma Silvershade, the soundtrack features a blend of haunting melodies and traditional Nordic influences, perfectly complementing the game's visuals and narrative. Players have noted that the music not only elevates key moments, such as boss fights, but also immerses them in the rich folklore and emotional journey of the game.
- “The soundtrack, composed by industry veteran Emma Silvershade, enhances the sense of adventure, evoking a range of emotions from awe to introspection.”
- “The music is enchanting, the character/level designs are phenomenal, and the narrator telling the story along the way makes it even more intriguing!”
- “The music is absolutely gorgeous and will leave you feeling quite emotional in some parts of the game.”
- “The music is so leaving you breathless.”
- “The music and the bosses are terrifying and so scary!”
- “Just a little bit disappointed with the final boss music.”
graphics
431 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
31%
2%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning beauty and intricate detail, effectively bringing the enchanting yet dark world to life. Players have noted the impressive art style, dynamic lighting, and atmospheric visuals that enhance the storytelling experience, although some have pointed out occasional bugs and inconsistencies in graphical quality. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive and captivating atmosphere.
- “The game's graphics are nothing short of stunning, with lush landscapes, intricate character designs, and dynamic lighting that bring the mystical world to life.”
- “The graphics are stunningly beautiful, as well as the story and soundtrack.”
- “The visuals are stunning, giving the feeling of being transported into a fairy tale.”
- “The graphics are subpar but make up for it with the storyline.”
- “With the coarse graphics and buggy movement, nothing is impressive at all.”
- “Largely a graphical showcase for a small gaming studio, signifying 'look we can do AAA graphics too in 2023!' but sadly, apparently not much else.”
gameplay
352 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The gameplay in "Bramble: The Mountain King" is characterized by its simplicity and linearity, often drawing comparisons to titles like "Little Nightmares" and "Inside." While it features engaging puzzles and unique boss mechanics, many players noted issues with clunky controls and a lack of challenge, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game's stunning visuals and immersive storytelling help maintain player interest throughout its relatively short playtime.
- “Gameplay in Bramble: The Mountain King is both challenging and rewarding.”
- “The climbing mechanics are intuitive, allowing players to navigate the vertical terrain with a sense of freedom.”
- “The gameplay features light platforming and puzzling and it looks drop-dead gorgeous.”
- “The gameplay is very clunky at times and you'll end up dying a lot because of it.”
- “The gameplay itself doesn't really adequately prepare you for the sudden difficulty spikes that are the bosses... not that they're particularly difficult, just different from the rest of the game's core gameplay, which is mostly inane and kinda boring.”
- “The gameplay is boring.”
atmosphere
229 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
26%
1%
The atmosphere in "Bramble: The Mountain King" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, haunting soundtrack, and immersive storytelling, creating a captivating blend of dark fantasy and folklore. Players describe the game as deeply atmospheric, with a unique ability to shift from whimsical to grim, enhancing the overall experience with a sense of dread and wonder. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the game's rich atmosphere and emotional depth leave a lasting impression on players.
- “The musical score in Bramble: The Mountain King is a masterpiece, complementing the game's atmosphere and emotional moments.”
- “With its stunning atmosphere, haunting horror elements, and exciting boss fights, it offers an unforgettable gaming experience that will linger in the memory long after the final credits roll.”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly dark and beautiful.”
- “The atmosphere is very grim.”
- “The atmosphere is really meh; they try to create a dark and creepy atmosphere, but for me, it misses the mark.”
- “The atmosphere goes from peaceful and joyous to an unrelenting grim without hesitation.”
emotional
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Bramble: The Mountain King" is highlighted by its masterful musical score and a poignant narrative that blends heartwarming moments with dark, disturbing themes. Players report a deeply engaging experience that evokes a wide range of emotions, from nostalgia and joy to sorrow and dread, often leading to tears. The game's exploration of sibling love and loss, coupled with its stunning visuals and atmospheric storytelling, creates a unique emotional journey that resonates strongly with players.
- “Bramble is a short, but gorgeous and emotional experience.”
- “The emotional connection to the protagonist's mission to rescue their sister is palpable, ensuring you remain invested in the outcome from start to finish.”
- “The journey as Olle was heart-wrenching and an amazing show of pacing and character development through horrific scenes.”
replayability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
60%
28%
Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily due to its short length (around 4-6 hours) and linear design, which offers little incentive for multiple playthroughs. While some players mention the potential for achievement hunting and collecting missed items, the consensus is that it is best enjoyed as a single experience rather than a game to revisit. Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale, as the replay value does not justify the full price.
- “Still, with so many details, hidden easter eggs, and collectibles, there is replay value.”
- “It's a fun short game with replayable aspects.”
- “Overall, this is a beautiful game with good replay value as well.”
- “Finished in 5 hours, not really any replayability.”
- “It's not a very long game or one with a lot of replayability though (almost completely linear), but it is a really great game with high production values.”
- “There is virtually no replay value besides to snag achievements you missed on your first run, if you missed any at all.”
grinding
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
4%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that boss fights and puzzles often feel drawn out and frustrating. While some appreciate the game's visuals and story, the overall gameplay experience is marred by clunky controls and a lack of engaging mechanics, leading to a sense of monotony that detracts from the enjoyment. Many reviewers suggest that the game may only be worth playing at a significant discount due to its tedious nature.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “By the second half of the game, the difficulty spikes rather suddenly with some incredibly tedious boss fights, and the wheels start to spin in place on the gameplay in general.”
- “It's a shame how tedious and drawn out the bosses become because it's otherwise an amazing game.”
- “The gameplay leaves something to be desired with its tedious mechanics and the frustrating abilities of the main character, but he's a child and this isn't meant to be some crazy action, so I think it is definitely acceptable.”
character development
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
12%
18%
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and emotional impact, with players noting a compelling journey that balances light and dark themes. The intricate character designs and interactions, set against a unique Scandinavian backdrop, enhance the narrative experience, making it both engaging and memorable. Overall, the combination of strong storytelling and visually stunning character portrayals contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “As mentioned, it gets really dark, but there are good character developments, interesting character interactions, and the Scandinavian setting offers something I haven't seen before and appreciated very much.”
- “Good story, great character development, boss fights are fun, and the atmosphere the more tense scenes build is great without feeling too stressful to experience while playing for the first time.”
- “The journey as Ole was heart-wrenching and an amazing show of pacing and character development through horrific scenes.”
- “I know this appears to be a narrative-driven game, but the real highlights to me were the character designs, directing, level design, and boss battles.”
- “Little Nightmares-style gameplay, classic Brothers Grimm storytelling, plus character designs reminiscent of the Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black?”
- “From story to character design and the music!!”
optimization
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
44%
19%
Overall, the game's optimization received mixed reviews; while many players praised its stable performance, outstanding graphics, and minimal loading times, others reported issues such as frame rate drops and inconsistent performance on platforms like the Steam Deck. Some users experienced no crashes and enjoyed smooth gameplay, particularly on high-end PCs, but noted that optimization could vary significantly depending on hardware. Despite some performance concerns, the game is generally considered well-optimized, especially at max settings.
- “Overall, the game is very optimized and there are many automatic checkpoints in your journey, so if you die, you won't have to redo too much of your progress.”
- “I loved the story and characters and the game is very well optimized with no lag and loading screens taking no longer than 0-1 seconds each.”
- “From the technical side of things the game is very well optimized at max settings with no shader compilation stutters common to most recent 3D UE4 games.”
- “At some points while holding the light, I had FPS drops and stuttering (it ran perfectly smoothly everywhere else).”
- “Steam Deck performance is not consistent, making the boss battles nearly impossible.”
- “However, depending on how much performance issues annoy you – stuttering, pop-in, frame rate drops – this is an adventure that might be best played elsewhere.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising it for being glitch-free, while others report frequent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay. Common issues include buggy graphics, erratic camera behavior, and control problems, which can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, while some users enjoy the game despite its flaws, many highlight the need for improvements in stability.
- “Dull gameplay and lots of glitches.”
- “With the coarse graphics and buggy movement, nothing is impressive at all.”
- “However, the game is pretty buggy right now.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark and morbid elements, with players finding amusement in brutal deaths and ragdoll physics, often eliciting laughter from unexpected scenarios. This mix of strategy, horror, and humor creates a unique experience that appeals to those with a twisted sense of humor, making it both entertaining and unsettling. Overall, the game's ability to balance suspense and comedy is noted as a highlight.
- “The brutality is simultaneously funny when you go rag-dolling off screen or are cleaved in half, and sad.”
- “He would also ragdoll a lot upon death, but it was pretty (morbidly) funny watching his body fly across the screen.”
- “It's a must-play for everyone looking for a fun gaming experience because it's the ideal fusion of strategy, horror, humor, and mystery.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews do not provide specific insights into the monetization aspect of the game, focusing instead on gameplay elements like boss encounters and atmosphere. Therefore, no clear summary regarding monetization can be derived from the provided text.