Sono

About

Sono is a single player action game. It was developed by ChillSwitch Games and was released on March 6, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

Sono is a 2D exploration game where players effortlessly glide through an abstract microcosm collecting lost fragments of sound.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 288 reviews

music44 positive mentions

story2 negative mentions

Sono offers a visually stunning and relaxing experience with beautiful graphics and soothing music, making it perfect for a short escape.
The unique gameplay mechanic of using sound for navigation adds an innovative twist, creating an engaging and meditative atmosphere.
As a free game, Sono provides a charming and enjoyable experience that is worth the time spent, even if it's brief.

The game is extremely short, typically taking only 10-15 minutes to complete, leaving players wanting more content.
Controls can be unintuitive and frustrating, making navigation challenging and detracting from the overall experience.
Lack of clear instructions and a tutorial can lead to confusion, as players may struggle to understand the gameplay mechanics.

music
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
35%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with beautiful soundscapes that complement the visuals. Many players appreciate the ambient soundtrack and the way it evolves as they progress, although some note that the music can be repetitive or occasionally cut out. Overall, the combination of relaxing tunes and stunning graphics creates a delightful atmosphere, making it a great choice for a short, meditative gaming session.
- “The ambient music and sound effects blend perfectly with the visuals, creating a deeply immersive environment that feels almost meditative.”
- “Beautiful soundtrack!”
- “Overall: nice ambient music-based game with a very chill vibe.”
- “The soundtrack left a lot to be desired.”
- “Id say try it out to just chill but yo this thing sucks, legit could not complete an area and move to the next one without getting stuck on 10000 boundaries and having the music cut in and out, sometimes just shutting completely off.”
- “The only bummer is that between the stunning visual graphics and the amiable music, it makes it a little hard to follow the eye through the puzzles, and because of that it makes it a little hard to focus.”
graphics
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
24%
8%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful and stylish visuals that enhance the overall experience, while others note a minimalistic approach that may not appeal to everyone. The combination of graphics and ambient music creates an immersive and relaxing atmosphere, although some players find the visuals can occasionally distract from gameplay. Overall, the game's aesthetic is frequently described as gorgeous and well-executed, contributing significantly to its charm.
- “The graphics are incredible, and the gameplay is fun.”
- “Beautiful work with the visuals and the smoothness and the flow was amazing.”
- “The movements are cathartic, the graphics are gorgeous, and the score is soothing and refreshing.”
- “The graphics aren't great, minimalistic 'art' assets and nothing else.”
- “The visuals and music are okay; really, there is just not much to discuss.”
- “If the graphics stutter or look like VSync is disabled, hit Ctrl+Enter to exit fullscreen.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
53%
14%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it simplistic and lacking depth, while others appreciate its relaxing vibe and beautiful graphics. Many noted the absence of clear instructions, which can lead to confusion initially, but discovering the mechanics can enhance the experience. Overall, the gameplay is described as short and underdeveloped, with potential for more engaging elements.
- “Funny simplistic gameplay, though at the beginning it is unclear what we are supposed to do; it even has a somehow relaxing vibe.”
- “It is kind of short, but the graphics are incredible, and the gameplay is fun.”
- “Simple, relaxing gameplay to pleasant and chill electronic music.”
- “What negligible gameplay there is serves only as a flimsy excuse to pass this off as a game when gameplay wasn't the developers' intention... and that's a problem.”
- “The worlds look nice, but the gameplay is boring.”
- “I wasn't engaged by the gameplay or the mechanics.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
15%
14%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, characterized by its engaging sound design, cool visuals, and relaxing qualities. Many players appreciate it as a highlight, ideal for short, enjoyable sessions, though some find it can become repetitive. Overall, it offers a captivating experience that enhances gameplay.
- “The atmosphere is one of the highlights, with sound as the central theme.”
- “I would pay for entire level packs if it meant enjoying more of this game's atmosphere.”
- “Very cool, short, atmospheric experience made by a team of great devs! Cool music and visuals, very nice for a short relaxation break.”
- “Good music and atmosphere, but it's a bit boring for me.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game "sono" has been effectively optimized for both keyboard and MIDI controller inputs, enhancing accessibility and allowing a broader range of players to enjoy the experience.
- “The game 'Sono' has now been optimized for both keyboard and controller input, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
- “The optimization of controls allows for a seamless experience whether using a MIDI controller or a traditional keyboard.”
- “With the latest updates, the game runs smoother than ever, showcasing impressive optimization that enhances gameplay.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its simplistic and amusing gameplay, which some players find relaxing, though initial clarity on objectives may be lacking. Overall, it is described as a lighthearted and entertaining experience.
- “Funny simplistic gameplay; though at the beginning it is unclear what we are supposed to do, it even has a somehow relaxing vibe.”
- “Super cool and funny!”
- “Funny small game.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game offers some replay value, though many players feel that the experience is not as impactful on subsequent playthroughs compared to the initial run.
- “The game offers a lot of replay value, with different choices leading to unique outcomes.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to the variety of paths and strategies you can explore.”
- “I love how the game encourages multiple runs, revealing new secrets and story elements each time.”
- “It's got some replay value, but the second time doesn't hit quite the same as the first.”
- “Once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to go back for more.”
- “The gameplay feels repetitive after the initial playthrough, making it hard to stay engaged.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The story aspect of the game is seen as underdeveloped, with players expressing a desire for a more intricate narrative that could enhance the gameplay experience. While some appreciate the visual elements, others feel that the lack of a compelling story diminishes the overall engagement, suggesting that the game has potential for a richer plot similar to titles like Gris.
- “I do think it would be very interesting if there were story elements behind the cool mechanics. It has the potential to be a much longer and intriguing game, similar to Gris, but it's pretty good as it is.”
- “Would love to see this as a bigger project with a more developed story and plot!”
- “Nice visual content, but there is no story and no point in playing; just look for the eye and find lights.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, especially when facing overwhelming obstacles that make progress feel insignificant.
- “When you're just a speck compared to the obstacle, it becomes tedious and annoying to continue playing.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which really drains the fun out of the experience.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally resonant, praising its touching music and intelligent graphical design, which contribute to a wholesome and endearing experience.
- “The music was touching, and the graphical display was very intelligently done.”
- “A very cute, wholesome, tiny little game.”