Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
- December 31, 2023
- Hyper Games
- 7h median play time
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a beautiful and laid-back game with fun mechanics, charming dialogue, and a fitting story. While not long, it’s worth every moment.
"Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley - Digital Deluxe Edition" invites you to explore Moominvalley with Snufkin, accompanied by an original soundtrack from Oda Tilset and Sigur Rós. This game offers a captivating journey through concept art, behind-the-scenes content, and unique environments inspired by Tove Jansson's world. Delve into a storybook experience featuring detailed characters, stunning landscapes, and cherished keepsakes.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful visuals and a charming art style that captures the essence of the Moomin universe.
- The music and sound design are soothing and enhance the overall relaxing experience of the game.
- The gameplay is simple and enjoyable, making it accessible for both children and adults, while still providing a nostalgic experience for Moomin fans.
- The game is relatively short, taking around 3 to 5 hours to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price.
- There are occasional gameplay issues, such as clunky movement mechanics and a lack of clarity in some quests.
- Once the main story is completed, players cannot continue exploring or completing side quests, which limits replayability.
- music231 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its calming and beautiful qualities, often described as a perfect complement to the stunning watercolor art style. Many players appreciate the nostalgic and soothing atmosphere created by the soundtrack, which includes contributions from the band Sigur Rós, although some noted a desire for more variety in the music. Overall, the combination of lovely melodies and engaging sound design enhances the game's cozy and immersive experience.
“The music is gorgeous and the art is so pretty; also, the gameplay is not too hard but not too easy.”
“A wonderfully nostalgic journey made even better by its incredible art style, soothing atmosphere, and excellent soundtrack.”
“The music is calming and lovely to hear.”
“The music is also pretty annoying and I ended up muting it because it was so grating, which is a shame because a great OST might have rescued a game like this.”
“The only thing I didn't like is the theme song - it's incredibly annoying and sounds very sad for no reason.”
“Yet, despite the game’s relatively short length, the amount of music is surprisingly limited, so you will be listening to the same simple tunes very often and there’s just not enough variety to them.”
- story223 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally praised for its heartwarming and whimsical nature, capturing the essence of the beloved Moomin universe with charming visuals and engaging dialogue. While many players appreciate the freedom to explore and complete side quests, there is a common desire for a more expansive narrative and the ability to continue playing after the main story concludes. Some critiques mention the story's simplicity and lack of depth compared to the original Moomin tales, but overall, it is seen as a delightful and nostalgic experience for fans.
“The game offers an incredible story and an engaging experience that truly immerses you in its world.”
“The story is soft and lovely to experience.”
“The characters were so well written and the story was so heartwarming.”
“However, the story is sadly unoriginal: bits of the old animation plots are just recycled and mashed together without much in the way of cohesion.”
“It looks gorgeous, it moves beautifully, it sounds fantastic, it has all characters and places, but after playing through the main story, I feel empty and sad.”
“I would have liked to explore the valley more, but now I have to restart the story if I want to get all achievements and see everything.”
- graphics170 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their beautiful, watercolor art style that captures the essence of Tove Jansson's original Moomin illustrations. Players appreciate the charming visuals and soothing soundtrack, which together create a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere, making the game a delightful experience for fans of the Moomin franchise. Overall, the art and music contribute significantly to the game's appeal, enhancing its storytelling and gameplay.
“The visuals still leave me in awe; from the storybook style to the animations filled with personality, it is a feast for the eyes.”
“The art style is beautifully and faithfully styled after Tove Jansson's watercolor illustrations, and while I wasn't crazy about the DMCA-threat opening song, the rest of the soundtrack and sound design was wonderfully atmospheric.”
“The graphics somehow manage to be peaceful and dynamic at the same time, and evoke watercolor on paper.”
“Despite the adoring, lore-accurate graphics, the game seems too generic - it lacks the moomin spirit.”
“Atmosphere & art style are amazing but gameplay sucks big time.”
“I think this game is aimed at young children, so if you're not part of this demographic, I'd suggest watching a let's play instead.”
- gameplay127 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it enjoyable for players of all ages, though some find it overly linear and lacking in depth. While the mechanics are straightforward and often charming, they can feel repetitive and may not provide enough challenge for experienced gamers. Overall, the game offers a relaxing experience with beautiful visuals and music, but some players desire more variety and complexity in gameplay.
“Incredibly nostalgic gameplay accompanied by a gorgeous soundtrack and visuals.”
“The gameplay mechanics are straightforward, ensuring easy navigation and interaction within the enchanting world of Moominvalley.”
“The gameplay is based on exploration of a beautiful world with the perfect amount of side tasks and just the right amount of freedom of exploration to find shortcuts and loops through areas for efficient map design.”
“I was super hyped for this game from the art and trailer, but I feel like the game itself was just too linear and the mechanics too simple.”
“One evening of linear gameplay and the game is already played through. I expected lots more actually; no freedom in gameplay and no variety in tasks.”
“The generic gameplay, mechanics, and quest types do not come together as a memorable experience for me.”
- emotional100 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players describing it as a heartwarming and wholesome experience that evokes nostalgia and joy. Many reviewers noted the beautiful art and music, which enhance the touching story about friendship and environmental themes, often leading to emotional reactions such as tears. Overall, it is recommended for its cozy atmosphere and ability to resonate deeply with both fans of the Moomin franchise and newcomers alike.
“It's so sweet and heartfelt, and genuinely entertaining.”
“The love, the friendship, the charm—it's all so heartwarming.”
“This was overall an incredibly enjoyable and emotional experience; I would 100% recommend to fellow Moomin fans as it's such a great new way of entering the world of Moominvalley.”
- atmosphere32 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing, cozy, and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by beautiful graphics and a soothing soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the meticulous crafting of the environment, which creates a tranquil and immersive experience, making it ideal for players seeking a calming escape. While the gameplay may be considered lacking by some, the overall ambiance remains a standout feature that resonates with fans of the genre.
“A wonderfully nostalgic journey made even better by its incredible art style, soothing atmosphere, and excellent soundtrack.”
“A cute and cozy game with a truly unique atmosphere and a mesmerizingly beautiful soundtrack.”
“Every single thing about this game seems meticulously crafted and builds perfectly into the calm yet rich atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere of the game is very comforting and friendly.”
“The melancholic atmosphere works really well, but I am personally more of a fan of the melancholic atmosphere in the books.”
“It's a cozy and relaxing melancholic atmosphere, so I don't complain.”
- humor26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley" is widely praised for its charming and witty dialogue, with players enjoying the sassy character interactions and funny situations that arise throughout the game. The combination of beautiful artwork, a relaxing soundtrack, and well-written characters contributes to a lighthearted and heartwarming experience, making it both entertaining and suitable for players of all ages. Overall, the game successfully captures the whimsical spirit of the Moomin universe, delivering a delightful mix of humor and charm.
“The art style is gorgeous, the dialogue both heartwarming and hilarious, and Snufkin is appropriately sassy and down to commit crimes.”
“The game could be summed up as 'Snufkin commits vandalism' and that fact alone had me chuckling several times while playing.”
“Beautiful artwork, made me laugh out loud at parts, very true to the spirit of the original works, and full of little details that made me so happy to see and showed the care that went into the game.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find value in pursuing 100% achievements and collectibles, others note its short length and straightforward story limit replay potential. However, the inclusion of multiple language options and a manageable playtime makes it appealing for those looking for a quick revisit.
“The game comes with multiple language options, increasing the game's replay value for me.”
“Giving the game enough replayability for completionists, without so many that you start to dread exploring the map.”
“The story is relatively straightforward, and the only real replayability comes from wanting to 100% achievements and collectibles.”
“A lot of effort and resources have gone into making this, which is probably why it's expensive, but it's very short and has little-to-no replayability.”
“The story is relatively straightforward and the only real replayability comes from wanting to 100% achievements/collectables.”
“- not much replay value either”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its engaging storytelling and strong connection to the original designs by Tove Jansson, making players feel a deep fondness for characters like Snufkin and Moomin. The combination of beautiful art, music, and a relaxing atmosphere enhances the overall experience, contributing to a fresh yet familiar character design that resonates with players.
“Take time to enjoy the scenery, the graphics, the music, the character design, etc.! I feel fond of Snufkin, Moomin, and other characters more than ever after finishing the first run.”
“Engaging story that fits the original story and character design by Tove.”
“Very well done, character design is familiar, but the style is fresh.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on a meaningful level.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of growth in the characters; they seemed to remain static throughout the game.”
“While the visuals are stunning, the character arcs are predictable and fail to evoke any real emotional response.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with users reporting various glitches, including freezing during cutscenes and jumping issues. However, many appreciate the developers' prompt support in addressing these problems, suggesting that stability may improve over time. Overall, while there are notable bugs, the game still runs smoothly for many players.
“So many glitches, it doesn't work smoothly.”
“At a certain point in the story, there is a bug that freezes my screen during a cutscene.”
“I will warn it's a bit buggy, but the developers and support team are quick and excellent at responding to issues.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the variety in gameplay and quests, which helps prevent grinding from feeling tedious. The experience is described as cozy and wholesome, with engaging interactions that enhance the overall enjoyment without the repetitive nature often associated with grinding.
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the game's monetization model, viewing it as a refreshing departure from typical cash grabs in the industry, which enhances their overall experience.
“Fed up with marketing cash grabs, I think this is a real gem!”
“The monetization system feels exploitative and takes away from the overall experience.”
“It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls.”
Critic Reviews
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley Review
An endearing and absolutely gorgeous adventure that fans of Jansson's work need to play.
90%Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley review
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley completely surprised me, and thanks to its gorgeous world and varied activities is a top notch cozy game.
85%Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley - Keeping Cozy Games Fresh
Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a cozy game that brings something new to the table, but leaves you wanting more once the journey ends.
85%