Guayota

About

Guayota is a single player arcade puzzle game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Team Delusion and was released on August 13, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

Inspired by legends related to the Canary Islands and the Guanches mythology, Guayota depicts the story of a group of explorers, sent by the Spanish Kingdom to find the legendary Saint Brendan’s Island. As the protagonist, you will soon understand that this island, said to be paradise on Earth, might actually hide darker secrets. Main Content: The secrets behind Saint Brendan’s Island Immerse y…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 16 reviews

gameplay7 positive mentions

monetization1 negative mentions

The game features a unique dual-realm mechanic that adds depth to the gameplay, allowing players to experience both light and dark versions of levels, each with distinct challenges.
Puzzles are well-designed and progressively increase in complexity, providing satisfying 'aha' moments as players learn new mechanics and strategies.
The art style and atmospheric sound design create an immersive experience, enhancing the exploration of the game's mythological setting.

The light levels can be frustrating due to uncharitable hitboxes and limited visibility, often forcing players into situations where they are likely to take damage and reset progress.
The narrative feels disconnected and poorly presented, with characters lacking depth and the story not significantly impacting the gameplay experience.
Some players may find the steep difficulty curve and lack of a hint system overwhelming, particularly in later stages where puzzles become more complex and time-consuming.

gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
50%
15%
The gameplay in Guayota is characterized by a unique dual-realm mechanic that enhances puzzle-solving through light and shadow elements, allowing players to transition between a real world and a challenging alternate dimension. The game features a well-paced progression of intricate puzzles that gradually introduce new mechanics, ensuring players are not overwhelmed. While the gameplay is engaging and creatively designed, some players may find the pacing occasionally disrupted, particularly during transitions between realms.
- “The gameplay centers on solving intricate light-based puzzles within a series of ancient temples, each dedicated to a different deity from the island’s mythology.”
- “This game is a master class in level design, letting the player learn the mechanics in a very organic way and making sure we know the basics before escalating the difficulty.”
- “What sets Guayota apart is its unique dual-realm mechanic: when players fail or run out of time, they are transported from the 'real world' to the 'plane of madness,' a shadowy alternate dimension where puzzles are reconfigured and traps are disabled.”
- “This mechanic adds a fascinating layer of strategy and narrative depth, as the transition between these realms is seamlessly integrated into the story and gameplay, although it can sometimes interrupt the pacing and test the patience of more casual players.”
- “The use of light and shadow not only serves as a core gameplay element but also enhances the haunting ambiance, evoking a feeling of isolation and suspense.”
story
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
64%
18%
The story of Guayota is described as standard and somewhat disconnected, with a rich mythological backdrop that is often overshadowed by dense writing and pacing issues. While the opening cutscene captivates players, the narrative tends to falter as it is fragmented by puzzle mechanics, leaving some players feeling that the story is secondary to the challenging gameplay. Overall, the game appeals more to puzzle enthusiasts than to those seeking a compelling narrative experience.
- “Guayota is an intriguing puzzle-adventure game developed by Team Delusion and published by Dear Villagers that successfully combines mythological storytelling with challenging gameplay.”
- “At its core, Guayota presents a deeply immersive experience where players take on the role of a nameless explorer on a quest to find the mythical Saint Brendan's Island.”
- “In search of information about a legendary Canary Island, where the key to paradise is said to be found, we puzzle our way through the rooms of various temples to reach a stone tablet at the end, on which a picture continues the story.”
- “The story is basically completely irrelevant to the game and, in my opinion, poorly told and boringly presented.”
- “Additionally, the narrative—though rich in lore and atmosphere—sometimes suffers from dense and verbose writing, which can detract from the pacing and emotional impact of the story.”
- “The opening cutscene is an amazing introduction, but after that I felt more disconnected from the story as the way characters talk and how the pace of the story is marked by having some small lore after each puzzle breaks it for me.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The atmosphere in "Guayota" is highly praised for its cool lighting and stunning cel-shaded art style, effectively creating a mysterious and unsettling environment reminiscent of exploring ancient ruins. Set against the backdrop of the Canary Islands and inspired by indigenous guanche culture, the game immerses players in a rich, atmospheric world, although some find the dense narrative can hinder pacing. Overall, it offers a unique experience for fans of atmospheric puzzle-adventure games.
- “The atmosphere that the lighting gives is very cool, and it really feels like you're exploring some old forgotten ruins.”
- “Set against the backdrop of the Canary Islands and inspired by the island's indigenous Guanche culture and its legends, the game invites players to explore an atmospheric world that is both mysterious and unsettling.”
- “Visually, Guayota is stunning in its cel-shaded art style, which complements the game’s eerie and mystical atmosphere.”
- “While the game's design and atmosphere are its strongest points, Guayota is not without some drawbacks.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics of Guayota are praised for their stunning cel-shaded art style, which enhances the game's eerie and mystical atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the combination of beautiful visuals with engaging mechanics and fun puzzles, making the overall aesthetic a standout feature.
- “Visually, Guayota is stunning in its cel-shaded art style, which complements the game’s eerie and mystical atmosphere.”
- “The art style is awesome and adds a unique charm to the gameplay.”
- “Very fun puzzles and lovely art style!”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music and sound design are highly praised for their ability to enhance the game's unsettling atmosphere, featuring haunting melodies and ambient sounds that amplify the horror and mystery. Players appreciate the beautiful soundtrack, which complements the game's art direction and remains enjoyable even after extended play.
- “The soundtrack and sound design further immerse players in this unsettling world, featuring haunting melodies and ambient noises that underscore the creeping horror and mystery lurking beneath the surface.”
- “All of it presented through a gorgeous art direction and a beautiful soundtrack I will never get tired of listening.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the game's narrative is praised for its rich lore and atmosphere, some users feel that its dense and verbose writing can hinder the pacing and emotional resonance of the story.
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game appears to be influenced by advertising on platforms like TikTok, which effectively generated interest and led players to wishlist it, suggesting a positive initial reception to its promotional strategy.