The Spirit and the Mouse

Lila's one night of adventure provides a delightful few hours of relaxed gameplay in the chilled-out village of Sainte-et-Claire on a fateful rainy night. Highly recommended for those without much time, and in need of a respite from normality.

92%Game Brain Score

story, music

grinding, optimization

98% User Score Based on 656 reviews

Critic Score 80%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

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About

The Spirit and the Mouse is a single player open world platformer game with a fantasy theme. It was developed by Armor Games Studios and was released on September 26, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"The Spirit and the Mouse" is a narrative-driven adventure game where you play as a tiny mouse exploring the French village of Sainte-et-Claire. Solve character-driven puzzles, help troubled villagers, and placate mischievous Kibblins through mini-games. With a relaxing piano soundtrack, this game encourages exploration and collection while aiding those in need. Find the 120+ hidden lightbulbs and unlock new abilities in this charming and melancholic world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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98%

Audience ScoreBased on 656 reviews

story98 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

Charming and adorable game with a great soundtrack and thoughtful map design.
Relaxing gameplay that allows for exploration at your own pace, making it a cozy experience.
Engaging puzzles that are satisfying to solve without being frustrating.

Some players found the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth.
The camera controls can be frustrating at times, affecting the overall experience.
The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more content.

story
219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
53%
2%
The story of "The Spirit and the Mouse" is a charming and heartwarming tale centered around a small mouse named Lila, who embarks on a mission to help the residents of a quaint French village by solving light-related puzzles and spreading joy. While the narrative is simple and not groundbreaking, it resonates emotionally with players, offering a cozy experience filled with delightful characters and a feel-good message about kindness and community. The game's engaging quests and beautiful visuals enhance the overall storytelling, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a relaxing and uplifting gaming experience.
- “The story, characters, and visuals ooze charm, and the whole thing managed to connect with me on an emotional level that left me with feelings of joy and peace.”
- “The story is incredibly beautiful and so are the graphics and music :)”
- “Such a beautiful story about how everyone can make a difference in the world, made with such love and care.”
- “Maybe they tried and it didn't work without voiceover (of which there is none), but then the alternative should have been to limit the time and instances where the player is forced to just watch or read, especially since the story is not all that earth-shattering to begin with.”
- “The narrative is clearly aimed towards a younger audience, and while it does attempt to inject some drama near the end of the story, the emotional beats it shoots for ultimately fell flat for me.”
- “The story is simple and the whole game is intended rather for smaller or peaceful gamers (no brutal fighting here), so game time is a little bit shorter, but it could be extended if you are a perfectionist and like to accomplish all side quests which are there.”
music
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
33%
2%
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere with gentle melodies and ambient sounds that complement the beautiful visuals and engaging gameplay. While many players find the soundtrack delightful and fitting, some note that the limited variety can lead to repetitive listening during extended play. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's cozy and heartwarming experience, making it a standout feature for many reviewers.
- “The lighting and art direction evoke a warm, slightly magical version of Europe, and the soundtrack supports the atmosphere with soft melodies and ambient flourishes.”
- “The peaceful atmosphere of this little French village at dusk, paired with the incredibly relaxing soundtrack, feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket.”
- “The music is delightful and brings a sense of calm to the overall style.”
- “There is only one thing that truly annoyed me: there is not enough music in that game, so you'll feel like you're listening to the same loop for hours on end.”
- “While the music isn’t bad at all, I do have a personal issue with the theremin, since I tend to get a headache if I listen to it for too long.”
- “I enjoyed the atmosphere - the scenery and the music - but the game itself is pretty simple and probably more appropriate for children.”
emotional
150 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "The Spirit and the Mouse" is widely praised for its heartwarming narrative and charming characters, which create a cozy and uplifting experience. Players report feeling deeply invested in the story, often shedding tears at the touching ending, and appreciate the game's focus on kindness and connection. Overall, it is celebrated as a delightful, wholesome adventure that resonates emotionally, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a soothing gaming experience.
- “The spirit and the mouse is a gentle, heartfelt adventure that trades tension for warmth and spectacle for charm.”
- “The stakes may be tiny, but the emotional impact comes from restoring comfort and connection to these residents one small act at a time.”
- “The story, characters, and visuals ooze charm, and the whole thing managed to connect with me on an emotional level that left me with feelings of joy and peace.”
graphics
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
30%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and beautiful art style, which complements the cozy atmosphere and engaging narrative. Players appreciate the delightful visuals, detailed animations, and the soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. While some mention that the graphics are simple, they are described as lovingly crafted and fitting perfectly within the game's whimsical setting, making it a visually appealing adventure.
- “I loved the animations and the art style.”
- “Beautiful graphics and story, plus a mixture of puzzles.”
- “The graphics and the musical score set an atmosphere which is just magical.”
- “Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews, the game offers little more than walking around and collecting things, wrapped in a soft aesthetic that seems to disarm criticism before it can even begin.”
- “The graphics could be a little better, but the presentation and atmosphere are gorgeous!”
- “The platforming and puzzle elements are light at best, with not much diversity; it feels like a student project in terms of the quality and polish and effort put into the various elements of the game, from the level design to the puzzles, the visuals and the soundscape.”
gameplay
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
56%
4%
The gameplay is characterized by its charming and simple mechanics, focusing on light puzzle-solving, exploration, and platforming, which create a relaxing yet engaging experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic and cozy vibes, others criticize the lack of depth and repetitive tasks, noting that the game can feel padded with cutscenes and slow pacing. Overall, it offers a delightful, heartwarming adventure suitable for casual play, though it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
- “Gameplay unfolds as a mix of light puzzle-solving, exploration, and platforming framed around Lila’s newfound electrical abilities.”
- “A beautiful world, cute and funny characters, really satisfying gameplay and fun puzzles; completing the game is a joy as well, and there are great quality of life features to assist with it.”
- “The gameplay is relaxing yet engaging, making it a perfect choice for those looking to unwind with a heartfelt story.”
- “There is no system to learn, no mechanic to master, no space for curiosity to turn into play.”
- “Despite this, the game is tagged as a 'puzzle platformer,' a description that collapses the moment you realize there are no puzzles to solve and no platforming mechanics to engage with.”
- “Lackluster game, lots of softlocks, so utterly boring that I had to use a mod to be able to skip the abysmally slow cutscenes by speeding the game up, and when you flash past the dialogue, there's so little gameplay to be had that you begin to realize that the developer padded out the gameplay time with long, dragging, slow camera shots, and you genuinely realize it's a sheer lack of content.”
atmosphere
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
36%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its charming and cozy qualities, evoking a warm, magical European village setting enhanced by beautiful visuals and a soothing soundtrack. Players appreciate the serene ambiance, which invites exploration and relaxation, making it an ideal escape from high-stakes gaming. Overall, the combination of endearing characters, gentle pacing, and captivating music creates a delightful and immersive experience.
- “The lighting and art direction evoke a warm, slightly magical version of Europe, and the soundtrack supports the atmosphere with soft melodies and ambient flourishes.”
- “The peaceful atmosphere of this little French village at dusk, paired with the incredibly relaxing soundtrack, feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket.”
- “The atmosphere in this game is phenomenal.”
- “But charm cannot substitute for gameplay, and atmosphere cannot carry a game that refuses to ask anything of its player.”
- “The tasks are kind of repetitive, but the overall story and atmosphere is cozy and charming.”
- “Clearly intended for kids in terms of character, atmosphere, and difficulty, it can easily charm adults as well.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and endearment, featuring funny and well-written characters that elicit genuine laughter. Players appreciate the combination of adorable visuals, engaging puzzles, and a cozy atmosphere, making for a heartwarming and enjoyable experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with a delightful aesthetic, creating a memorable and fun environment for players of all ages.
- “This game is for all ages; it's both funny and adorable at the same time.”
- “Incredibly sweet, with puzzles that were both funny and thought-provoking.”
- “The village is super charming, the dialogues and the kibblins are hilarious, the music is soothing, and the mouse is so darn cute!”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly with tasks like collecting lightbulbs and sparks, which can detract from the overall experience. However, many appreciate that achieving 100% completion is enjoyable and doesn't require grinding, focusing instead on exploration. While some players enjoy the therapeutic nature of grinding in RPGs, others feel that the campaign could benefit from more variety to alleviate the repetitiveness.
- “The 100% completion is super fun to achieve; there's no grinding whatsoever—just explore as much as you'd like.”
- “All in all, the game is a hidden gem, not perfect, somewhat grindy, and not many good walkthroughs or guides here on Steam though there are some decent walkthrough videos (though many of them are speedruns which can be confusing if you don't know the map really well).”
- “The ones I missed also pertained to grindy elements of the game (finding lightbulb collectibles, finding an arbitrary amount of sparks in each area, etc.), so those aren't really motivating either.”
- “It can feel rather tedious after a while; the campaign could use more variety.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game is highly praised for its exceptional optimization, with players reporting no glitches or performance issues at launch. It sets a standard for how games should be optimized, enhancing the overall experience and enjoyment of its heartwarming story.
- “This game is how every game should be optimized - a total joy to play and experience this heartwarming story that helped me understand that yes, kindness is real and even strangers can bring even some sliver of bliss no matter who they are, and expect nothing in return.”
- “Very well optimized.”
- “This game is how every game should be optimized - a total joy to play and experience.”
- “I played it at launch and encountered zero glitches or performance issues.”
- “[b]Overall impressions & performance[/b]”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting a smooth experience on platforms like the Steam Deck and noting the absence of glitches or performance issues since launch. Its polished visuals and fluid character movements further contribute to a highly stable gameplay experience.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck out of the box.”
- “It's really well polished with no glitches in my playthrough.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Character development is highlighted by the appealing and cute designs of characters, particularly Lila and the kibblins, which enhance the overall experience. The engaging questlines further contribute to the depth and charm of the characters.
- “The questlines were great, as were the character designs, especially of the kibblins.”
- “Lila herself has such a cute character design, especially after being given electric powers.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The monetization strategy includes in-game purchases for various items such as maps, photos, and powers, allowing players to enhance their experience but potentially leading to concerns about pay-to-win dynamics.
- “The in-game purchases for maps, photos, and powers are well-balanced and enhance the overall experience without feeling forced.”
- “I appreciate how the monetization system allows players to buy maps and powers, making it easier to customize gameplay without being pay-to-win.”
- “The option to purchase additional content like maps and photos adds depth to the game, and I never feel pressured to spend money.”
- “The in-game purchases for maps, photos, and powers feel excessive and detract from the overall experience.”
- “I find the monetization strategy frustrating, as it pushes players to spend money on essential game features.”
- “The reliance on in-game purchases for basic content like maps and powers is disappointing and makes the game feel pay-to-win.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
Replayability is limited due to significant backtracking required during gameplay, which may deter players from revisiting the game. However, its affordable price and relatively short length of 5-6 hours make it a suitable choice for a casual gaming session.
- “The game offers a great balance of playability and replayability, making it a worthwhile experience.”
- “For the price and game length (about 5-6 hours), this is a great pick for a stormy summer night.”
- “There is little for replayability with the amount of backtracking you need to do during normal gameplay, but for the price and game length (about 5-6 hours), this is a great pick for a stormy summer night.”

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews

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7h Median play time

6h Average play time

6-8h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Spirit and the Mouse is a open world platformer game with fantasy theme.

The Spirit and the Mouse is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 5, Mac OS and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing The Spirit and the Mouse.

The Spirit and the Mouse was released on September 26, 2022.

The Spirit and the Mouse was developed by Armor Games Studios.

The Spirit and the Mouse has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

The Spirit and the Mouse is a single player game.

Similar games include A Short Hike, Mushi Come Home, Toem, Omno, Caravan SandWitch and others.

The Spirit and the Mouse

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