Kim

About

Kim is an open world RPG set in colonial India. Play as Rudyard Kipling's ragamuffin hero, Kim, and roam hand-painted towns and procedurally generated countryside. Learn to survive by fair means or foul, meet characters from history and literature, travel to exotic lands and discover their secrets. Your aim is to live Kim's youth as best you can, it will not last forever! History: 1880s India brou…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 53 reviews

story5 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game is a beautifully crafted adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's novel, featuring charming visuals and a lovely soundtrack that immerses players in the atmosphere of 19th Century British India.
Players appreciate the unique gameplay mechanics that involve managing resources and making moral choices, which add depth and replayability to the experience.
The writing, while challenging, is praised for its faithfulness to Kipling's prose, providing an engaging narrative that encourages exploration and interaction with a variety of characters.

Many players find the game's resource management mechanics frustrating, as it can be difficult to maintain health and finances, leading to a sense of aimlessness and frequent failure.
The dialogue and narrative structure are criticized for being convoluted and difficult to follow, with some players feeling that the writing lacks coherence and clarity.
Some reviewers express disappointment with the lack of meaningful character differentiation and the limited impact of player choices, which detracts from the overall immersion and enjoyment of the game.

story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
64%
14%
The story of "Kim" is loosely based on Rudyard Kipling's novel, following the journey of a street urchin in 1800s India, and is praised for its rich exploration and character-driven narrative. While some players find the main plot lacking and dialogue challenging, the game offers a unique blend of freedom and discovery, allowing players to engage with various side stories and missions. Overall, the writing is considered elegant and well-crafted, enhancing the immersive experience of the game's setting.
- “Kim is a special little game - at first glance it seems like a linear story-driven game, but after the tutorial ends, the game really opens up and you can practically go everywhere, living the story of Kim as you please.”
- “I found the dialogue and story of this game enthralling and elegant, blending perfectly with the gorgeous aesthetic of the art.”
- “The plot is almost non-existent; however, the dialogue can be difficult to follow, and characters’ motivations are barely comprehensible.”
- “At best, you'll get a quote ripped out of some Kipling story that is vaguely, peripherally relevant.”
- “The game loosely follows the story of the original book by Rudyard Kipling but gives the player the freedom to explore and discover the secrets of 1800s India.”
gameplay
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
53%
20%
The gameplay is praised for its depth and complexity, requiring players to manage various character aspects while balancing limited resources and time. Many reviewers appreciate the original mechanics and interactive environments, which enhance replayability and challenge. Overall, the gameplay is described as accessible yet layered, providing a satisfying experience that encourages exploration and strategic decision-making.
- “Gameplay-wise, having to weigh the pros and cons of actions as well as taking into account the limited time and resources available to the character in the playthrough is the strongest element of the game.”
- “The gameplay is solid, with the choices you make having a constant effect on Kim's character, both in terms of his happiness and his skillset.”
- “Each mechanic is simple in itself, but great thought has clearly gone into how they relate to each other, creating a pleasing level of depth that players can approach at their own pace.”
- “3 gameplays and only 1 finished.”
- “That's not a lot of gameplays.”
- “I personally would love a story mode without the survival mechanics (food and rest), but they are already balanced enough to be acceptable, even on a 'slow gaming' day.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
14%
21%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and unique hand-drawn art style, which beautifully captures the essence of colonial India. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals and an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and storytelling. The minimalist approach does not detract from the game's depth, making it a visually captivating experience that resonates with fans of literary-inspired games.
- “The art work is simply gorgeous, really bringing colonial India to life.”
- “The music combined with the illustrative hand-painted art style are a killer combo and whisk you away to a period of time and place that I have never experienced in a game before.”
- “Do not let the minimalist graphics fool you - this game is very in-depth.”
- “The setting and Kipling's story are obviously great, the art style is lovely, too - but I am a sucker for hand-drawn games.”
- “Wonderful atmosphere - the soundtrack and art style really give the feeling of India at the end of the Raj.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
9%
27%
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and ability to enhance the immersive experience of exploring colonial India. Reviewers highlight the excellent soundtrack as a standout feature that complements the unique art style, creating an authentic atmosphere that captivates players. Overall, the combination of lovely music and hand-painted visuals is noted as a key element that draws players back to the game.
- “Colonial India, with all its charm and craziness, is wonderfully brought to life by the hand-painted illustrations, the awesome soundtrack, and the use of Kipling's original text.”
- “Wonderful atmosphere - the soundtrack and art style really give the feeling of India at the end of the Raj.”
- “The music combined with the illustrative hand-painted art style are a killer combo and whisk you away to a period of time and place that I have never experienced in a game before.”
- “Exploring colonial India is quite an experience; the art and music make it feel very authentic.”
- “I didn't like the game at first because it was so hard to play, but I love the setting and the soundtrack, so I found myself coming back again and again to this adventure, and slowly have learned how the game works.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The game offers significant replayability through its diverse choices, random world generation, and unique mechanics, encouraging players to explore different strategies and outcomes. While some may find the difficulty and pacing challenging, those who enjoy open-world experiences will appreciate the depth and variety that invites multiple playthroughs. However, the lack of options for mentor religions could enhance replayability further.
- “This is because you practically can't do everything, which again makes you choose wisely and enhances the game's replayability, providing great value for money.”
- “I also found it novel in regards to the design of the game: there are a multitude of completely original mechanics that balance challenge with replayability.”
- “I would have appreciated having the option to choose what religion your mentor would be, perhaps meeting several possibilities before setting off or as you traveled, as this would have added a lot of replayability.”
- “In terms of overall replayability: it has some if you fail miserably or underachieve your first couple of playthroughs, which you'll probably do.”
- “Although it can feel like the game is rushing you at times, it has plenty of replay value with random seeds for the game world and the opportunity to make different choices or discover something that you never expected to.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive depiction of colonial India, capturing the essence of Kipling's stories through its art style and soundtrack. Players appreciate the vibrant world, often finding themselves lost in the daily lives of its villagers, making the experience feel rich and rewarding. Overall, the atmosphere is described as enchanting and well-crafted, inviting exploration and appreciation.
- “I really like how Kim captures the atmosphere of colonial India, and the spirit of Kipling's stories.”
- “There's a really wonderful atmosphere in the game; it makes me want to just let the game run by itself while I stare at the bustling villagers going about their daily lives.”
- “Wonderful atmosphere - the soundtrack and art style really give the feeling of India at the end of the Raj.”
- “It has a lot in common with Sunless Sea, but the atmosphere and setting are very different.”
- “I really like how Kim captures the atmosphere of colonial India and the spirit of Kipling's stories.”
- “I could happily spend hours just soaking in the atmosphere of this world.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the game to be a unique and heartwarming experience, evoking strong emotional responses that resonate deeply.
- “It is a unique heartwarming experience.”
- “The story touched my heart in ways I never expected.”
- “I felt a deep connection to the characters and their struggles.”