Naiad

About

Naiad is a single player shooter game with fantasy and kids themes. It was developed by HiWarp and was released on December 10, 2024. It received very positive reviews from players.

Naiad is a charming single-player kids quiz game that invites players to explore a serene river filled with adorable animals and hidden secrets. With delightful visuals, spectacular music, and an intriguing, wholesome story across 16 episodes, it offers a calming journey through nature’s beauty. Enjoy playful interactions, learning, and a perfect atmosphere that nurtures growth and discovery.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 285 reviews

music48 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Naiad features stunning visuals and a beautiful soundtrack, creating a calming and immersive experience.
The game encourages exploration and interaction with the environment, rewarding players with hidden secrets and a heartfelt story about nature and humanity's impact on it.
It's a relaxing game that allows players to take their time, making it perfect for those looking to unwind and enjoy a cozy gaming experience.

The gameplay can feel repetitive, with many tasks involving escorting animals or solving simple puzzles that may not provide enough challenge or engagement.
Some players may find the lack of clear guidance or tutorials frustrating, leading to moments of confusion about what to do next.
While the game is visually stunning, some critics feel it lacks depth in gameplay mechanics, making it feel more like an art piece than a fully fleshed-out game.

music
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
45%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and calming qualities, enhancing the overall immersive experience alongside stunning visuals. Many players appreciate the thoughtful integration of the soundtrack with gameplay, describing it as soothing and therapeutic, although some note occasional repetitiveness. Overall, the combination of art and music creates a tranquil atmosphere that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “If you want to chill, solve puzzles, enjoy some pretty scenery, and listen to great music, then buy this game.”
- “The art style is amazing, the music is lovely, the atmosphere, it really touched my heart.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, the atmosphere is calming and relaxing, the art style and color palettes are stunning, and the overall vibe is just so adorable.”
- “The music, while pretty, can get fairly repetitive, but that's only sometimes a bother, and certainly not a major quibble.”
- “Music is used sparingly and thoughtfully, often fading into the background so that environmental audio can take center stage.”
- “The soundtrack is, for me, a mixed bag.”
graphics
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
36%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning, hand-crafted aesthetic that resembles a picture book or watercolor painting, featuring bold colors and soft shapes. Players appreciate the immersive visuals that, combined with a soothing soundtrack, create a calming and restorative atmosphere. Overall, the art style is described as beautiful and unique, enhancing the game's cozy and tranquil experience.
- “The art style embraces bold colors, soft shapes, and a hand-crafted aesthetic that feels closer to a picture book or watercolor painting than a traditional video game.”
- “The visuals are breathtaking, every location feels rich and like its own piece of art, brimming with colorful landscapes, winding rivers, and peaceful creatures.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, the message is very nice and the fact that it is developed by one person is insane.”
- “Graphics: paper-cut and simple.”
- “The simple 2D graphics paired with this chalky texture and beautiful bright colors soothe the eyes like nothing I've played before.”
- “ graphics don't matter in this game”
story
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The story of "Naiad" is a beautifully crafted, wordless narrative that explores themes of environmentalism, human impact on nature, and the cyclical nature of life through its stunning visuals and soothing soundtrack. Players are encouraged to take their time to uncover the rich details and hidden interactions that enhance the emotional depth of the experience, making it both a relaxing and thought-provoking journey. While the storytelling is subtle and at times simple, it resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “Naiad is a beautiful, relaxing, and colorful story of a river guardian.”
- “I found the story deeply moving; I loved how it explored different ideas about human impact on the environment, loneliness, and perseverance, among others.”
- “The story is really well-written; not only is the story of Naiad herself really touching, but the level design for each chapter increasingly depicts the tragic impacts of oblivious human activity and industry on nature in a more and more devastating manner each time.”
- “It almost feels as though the story was added to provide some additional content, rather than being a central pillar that drives the game forward.”
- “If you are trying to engage with the puzzle elements, though, it's hard to ignore that a large chunk of this is escort missions, which are about as frustrating as escort missions can be.”
- “Naiad doesn't feature a voice cast; rather, all storytelling is conveyed through text.”
gameplay
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The gameplay is characterized as simple and relaxing, often described as "cozy" and suitable for a casual audience, though some players find it repetitive and lacking in depth. While the gentle puzzle-solving elements and soothing atmosphere are appreciated, many reviewers note that the mechanics can feel too minimal and passive, potentially disappointing those seeking more engaging challenges. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals and calming soundtrack, making it a pleasant experience for players looking for a stress-free environment.
- “There is no rigid control scheme or mechanical friction; movement feels like guiding a current rather than steering a character.”
- “Its soothing art style, gentle soundtrack, and calming gameplay make it less about challenge and more about immersion.”
- “The way the game blends stunning visuals, tranquil music, and simple yet engaging gameplay is masterful.”
- “But the gameplay gets repetitive really fast and is, in my opinion, spread too thinly throughout to stay engaging.”
- “I wish I actually liked the game part of this game, but I find myself continually frustrated by the languid character movement and overly ponderous tempo of the moment-to-moment gameplay.”
- “But the gameplay is simply too repetitive and shallow for a game this long.”
emotional
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Naiad is celebrated for its emotional depth, offering a serene and touching adventure that emphasizes immersion and reflection on humanity's relationship with nature. Players describe the game as a beautiful and wholesome experience, filled with heartfelt storytelling, stunning visuals, and a mix of joy and sorrow that resonates deeply, often evoking tears. The game’s gentle approach to serious themes like environmental conservation enhances its emotional impact, making it a memorable and comforting journey.
- “Naiad, developed and published by hiwarp, is a serene and emotionally gentle adventure that redefines what interaction in games can feel like when stripped of urgency, danger, and competition.”
- “A game that is at times heart-wrenching and deeply hopeful - probably one of the most beautiful games I've ever played!!”
- “The story is really well-written; not only is the story of Naiad herself really touching (I cried multiple times throughout the last few episodes), but the level design increasingly depicts the tragic impacts of oblivious human activity and industry on nature in a more and more devastating manner each time, which is actually heart-breaking.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
16%
15%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its calming and restorative qualities, enhanced by stunning visuals and a beautiful soundtrack. Players appreciate the harmonious blend of audio and art, which creates a cozy, magical experience that emphasizes care and tranquility over conflict. Overall, the game's aesthetic and immersive environment contribute significantly to its emotional impact, making it a standout in the indie genre.
- “Together, audio and visuals work in harmony to create an atmosphere that feels restorative rather than demanding.”
- “The art style is amazing, the music is lovely, the atmosphere, it really touched my heart.”
- “The soundtrack is absolutely beautiful, the atmosphere is calming and relaxing, the art style and color palettes are stunning, and the overall vibe is just so adorable.”
- “Even the atmosphere colors will change as Naiad progresses through her journey.”
- “The sound design was fantastic too, and it made me queue up more river atmosphere to listen to.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The game boasts high replayability due to multiple endings, a wealth of collectibles, and hidden secrets to discover, encouraging players to revisit the experience. Many users highlight the enjoyment of unlocking secret content and the variety of poems available, making it a relaxing and engaging game to replay.
- “There is also some replayability, especially if you want to unlock the secret ending.”
- “There is also some replayability (especially if you want to unlock the secret ending).”
- “The amount of collectibles encourages replayability, and there is a hidden door you can open by collecting a certain type of collectibles.”
- “Replay value: there are multiple endings and a lot to collect, so yeah.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be enjoyable and rewarding, describing it as refreshing and beautifully executed without feeling tedious. It is recommended for those seeking a comfortable gaming experience that diverges from traditional farming simulators.
- “Grinding achievements: no”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game surprisingly engaging, noting that the lack of action does not detract from their enjoyment but rather enhances it, keeping them entertained throughout.
- “It's funny! I thought that since there's no action, I wouldn't be as engaged, but it's the opposite!”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch; I found myself laughing out loud at the clever dialogue.”
- “I love how the game uses humor to lighten the mood, making even the most mundane tasks enjoyable.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is well-optimized, delivering good performance with over 60 fps at high settings on 1080p, particularly on the Steam Deck, and users report no significant issues during gameplay.
- “+ Good performance (highest settings 1080p is much more than 60 fps on the Steam Deck)”
- “[i] As for performance, I didn’t encounter any issues at all.”