Resonance of the Ocean

About

In "Resonance of the Ocean" , you discover a deserted island and create musical instruments from washed-up objects. Solve puzzles by answering echoes from the ocean, all while enjoying a calming soundtrack in this hand-drawn adventure, which can be completed in 10 to 30 minutes. This game, originally created for a Japanese game jam event, ranked high in overall, art, and sound categories.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 787 reviews

music95 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

Calm and relaxing atmosphere with beautiful art and sound design.
Short and sweet gameplay that is easy to pick up and enjoy.
Unique concept of matching sounds with objects, providing a nostalgic and charming experience.

Very short playtime, leaving players wanting more content and depth.
Puzzles can be overly simplistic, lacking challenge for some players.
Controls may feel unintuitive at times, leading to frustration during gameplay.

music
173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
43%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and beautiful qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a soothing atmosphere that complements the art style. Many players appreciate the integration of sound into the gameplay, particularly in the context of musical puzzles, although some note that the game could benefit from a longer soundtrack. Overall, the combination of lovely music and charming visuals creates a delightful and relaxing experience for players.
- “The soundtrack is incredible, with sound effects that make the entire experience even more immersive.”
- “Calming and soothing game with beautiful music.”
- “The music and artwork are beautiful.”
- “And for a game about making music, there is little music.”
- “The game itself may get boring if the player misses one instrument and has to go around repetitively, but the music and art are really well made (I think these make up for it).”
- “Although there wasn't much to this game, the music and visuals really pulled it together.”
graphics
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and adorable art style, which features hand-drawn visuals that create a cozy and calming atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the beautiful integration of the artwork with the soothing soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience. Many express a desire for a longer game that maintains this unique aesthetic, indicating that the visuals are a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The hand-drawn visuals were endearing and stand out for me as one of the game’s stronger features.”
- “This game is beautiful, the sounds are crystal clear, the visuals have a soft cozy feel to them and a simplicity that really hones in that hand-drawn vibe.”
- “The art style and the music are just wonderful, the game is also simple and you can get achievements easily.”
- “It has a pleasing aesthetic but that is the only praise it's possible to give this.”
- “Very simple graphics and game mechanics accompanied with nice sounds and lore.”
- “Although there wasn't much to this game the music and visuals really pulled it together.”
story
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
64%
8%
The game's story is described as simple, cute, and often nostalgic, evoking feelings of childhood exploration and imagination. While many players appreciate the charming art and music, they express a desire for a more developed narrative, as the existing story is often seen as vague or confusing. Overall, the experience is enjoyable for those seeking a short, relaxing game, but it leaves players wanting more depth and clarity in the storytelling.
- “In just 20 minutes, this game gave me the feeling of being a child exploring my grandma's country house, discovering treasures in the garden, and weaving a story from my imagination.”
- “The story leaves a lot of mystery, lightly touching on what happened on the island, and the fate of the character you play is never really resolved.”
- “The music-centered story that slowly unfolds will guide you into a mellow, comfortable, and calming adventure, perfect for when the days outside are short.”
- “The story is flimsy, and there's no satisfaction in solving the 'puzzles' which are just about finding the right item or item combination.”
- “There were some hints of story in the last day, by some notes you can read inside a house, but unfortunately they don't explain anything and leave you with more questions and assumptions.”
- “But it's super short, the story is uninteresting and confusing, and the controls were finicky at times.”
gameplay
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
5%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and charm, featuring intuitive mechanics that revolve around matching sounds with objects found in a serene environment. While many players appreciate the beautiful art and relaxing atmosphere, the short duration (approximately 15-30 minutes) and limited gameplay depth leave some feeling that it lacks substance and can become tedious. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a casual, stress-free experience, though it may not satisfy players looking for more complex gameplay.
- “The art is beautiful, minimalist, and charming, complemented by simple yet extremely well-designed mechanics that put the player in tune with the environment.”
- “The serene atmosphere and gentle gameplay make it perfect for unwinding after a long day.”
- “The gameplay loop is simple: a sound or combination of sounds will play, and the goal is to use items you find around your island to create makeshift instruments that will produce a matching sound.”
- “This made the gameplay kind of tedious, so I unfortunately didn’t really enjoy it.”
- “The mechanics can be frustrating and tedious and there isn't much to do in the plot.”
- “Overall, it was an okay experience and it was clear the developers put their heart into it but I found the breadcrumbs of story very obtuse and the gameplay a little frustrating.”
atmosphere
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
76%
10%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its calming and serene qualities, enhanced by beautiful hand-drawn art and soothing sound design. Players appreciate the unique experience it offers, making it ideal for relaxation and unwinding. Overall, the game's tranquil ambiance and engaging visuals create a delightful escape that resonates with many.
- “The serene atmosphere and gentle gameplay make it perfect for unwinding after a long day.”
- “The hand-drawn art style couples well with the relaxing atmosphere, and the sound, something that is a pretty crucial element of the game, is executed perfectly.”
- “Great artwork and atmospheric game that allows one to destress and focus on the mystery of the island, sound from beyond the ocean and get in touch with your inner child making sounds and melodies using spoons and forks against plates, glasses and bowls at dinner.”
- “Probably the game’s foremost strength – there are three soundtracks that I did like as they created a rather peaceful, weightless sort of atmosphere befitting of the sea, but not enough to make me feel any more strongly about the game.”
- “The concept is very simple but feels very genuine which creates a really relaxing atmosphere.”
- “I'm an OST/instrumental music lover and this game is damn short, but I love the simplicity of the puzzle, atmosphere, and yes, the sound.”
emotional
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming nature, providing a soothing experience through its simple yet touching narrative and adorable art style. Players appreciate the calming atmosphere and the emotional depth conveyed through sound and visuals, despite the story's brevity and unresolved elements. Overall, the game evokes feelings of comfort and joy, making it a delightful short experience.
- “The feeling is not finished yet, but a simple and heart-warming fable, one might think.”
- “It was simple and short, but it was still touching.”
- “Very simple yet very sweet and emotional.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
27%
64%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often leading to a lack of enjoyment. Many reviews highlight that the repetitive mechanics and limited plot contribute to a boring experience, suggesting that a longer game could benefit from more engaging content.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This made the gameplay kind of tedious, so I unfortunately didn’t really enjoy it.”
- “The mechanics can be frustrating and tedious, and there isn't much to do in the plot.”
- “Overall, this game is boring and tedious.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game offers a unique and tranquil experience, but most users agree that it lacks significant replayability, with many suggesting it is best enjoyed in a single playthrough lasting around 15 minutes.
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “Replayability is outstanding.”
- “The game offers endless opportunities for replaying different scenarios.”
- “I think this game is very tranquil and unique, though it isn't really what I'd refer to as outstanding and has no replayability after the 15 minutes you take to play it.”
- “Good one-time playthrough but has little to no replayability.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report issues such as frame rate drops and long loading times. Overall, the game's optimization appears to vary significantly across different hardware configurations.