[PREVIEW] Koira – Man’s Best Friend

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Attention: this is not a joke! Although the hand-drawn adventure Koira will be released on April Fool’s Day, it takes the theme of friendship very seriously. I had the chance to try the demo version of this title during the Steam Next Fest, and I can confidently say that this musical journey shows great potential.

You wake up in an enchanted forest and decide to follow a strange sound, which leads you to a trapped puppy. After rescuing him, he becomes your best friend. Together, you explore the musical landscape, solve ancient puzzles, encounter forest creatures, and try to find your way home. But you must be careful, as frightening hunters lurk in the shadows…

Story in the Style of Planet of Lana and Neva

Koira is a game that can be considered a true work of art—both visually and musically. Pastel colors combined with impressive lighting invite players on an adventure into the unknown, where music is the key to successful communication. Our character’s sounds resemble a flute’s tone, while the puppy’s are like an accordion, creating a harmonious musical dialogue. From the very beginning, the music acts as our support and comfort on the journey home.

There is no dialogue or written explanations in the game, and there is no need for them. The story relies on universal themes like friendship, responsibility, and curiosity about the world; it is simple but emotional in itself. This is also reflected through intuitive mechanics and clear objectives. Although we solve puzzles by activating mysterious monuments, the primary focus is on caring for our puppy: feeding, petting, and playing. However, there is also space for simply sitting, observing the environment, and the clouds passing by in the sky.

Despite numerous endearing and relaxing moments, we must be ready to protect our friend from the relentless hunters, which we saw at the end of the demo version. And let me just say, if anything happens to the puppy, there will be trouble! So far, the game has excellently presented its warm and moving story, further emphasized by its outstanding presentation. If you are a fan of adventures with…