Röki

Folklore powers a heartfelt game of exploration and empathy.

Röki’s pleasing aesthetics are well-matched by an absorbing story that always keeps you on your guard.

I thought Röki was going to be a cute and throwaway little puzzle game with a light adventure wrapping, but Polygon Treehouse have gone so much further, and so much deeper than I was expecting. Like all great folklore stories, there is a quiet devastation lurking beneath Röki’s picturebook world, elevating this mythic tale of gods and monsters into the pantheon of all-time adventure game greats.

With a compact, but dense world to navigate – most of the game takes place in one sprawling interconnected area – you’ll learn your way around in no time. This is aided by the game’s clever fast travel system, which cuts down on pointless back and forth greatly.

Thanks to its gentle nature, pleasant visuals, simple controls, and touching story, Röki is an excellent puzzle-adventure game that will entertain both children and adults. Searching for objects and unraveling mysteries in a snow-covered Scandinavian wilderness teeming with supernatural creatures is not only a feast for the eyes but also a balm for the soul. You’ll find this game pleasantly relaxing, and you might even shed a tear or two over the course of about ten hours.

Röki is an enchanting adventure that often enraptures the player with the importance of forgiveness and acceptance. The puzzles are challenging the narrative will keep you hooked thanks to the exceptional presentation.

Röki is a title you don't want to miss, especially if you have any love for the rare adventure games of this genre.

Overall, Roki was a big win in my book. Initially, I found its family-friendly focus to be a detriment to my enjoyment in my first sitting with it. In my second, I began to appreciate more of what it was going for, and in my third sitting, I played for 5 hours without even realizing it. Roki has a lot going for it, including a unique story, well-done but straightforward mechanics, and a simply beautiful art style. Don’t let this one slip past you like a tomte hiding in his hat.

If you're a fan of puzzle and adventure titles like the Broken Sword series, as well as more intimate character focused experiences that derive a lot of its influence from cultural folklore, such as the aforementioned Never Alone, then Röki is more than deserving of your time. It's not the longest experience but is engaging throughout and spins a yarn that is honestly one of the more emotionally affecting I've experienced this year.

I first heard about Röki in July 2021 when a fellow Rapid Reviewer recommended it to me. I had just finished (and adored) reviewing Omno, and was looking for something to fill the void it had left. Alas, my backlog was enormous. So, after wistfully eyeing up Röki in the Steam store, it fell to the back of my mind. Fast forward to October. When I realised that there was an opportunity to review the title for Rapid Reviews, I jumped in feet first without a backward glance. Was I right to throw caution to the wind, or was I about to pay for my reckless spontaneity? Keep reading my Rapid Review to find out.