Every time I get lost in the tangles of a lengthy RPG or live service game, I’m quick to look for a casual adventure. Fortunately, the search didn’t go on for too long with Studio Tulimo’s upcoming adorable doggy journey, Koira.
The studio, itself, is relatively new, as a Belgium independent-led company in Brussels. Koira marks its first-ever game release with Life Is Strange and Jusant publisher Don’t Nod. I got the chance to play the entry’s demo for a brief sneak peek. Although it lasted less than an hour, it was the most calming part of my day, with the melodic tunes of its peaceful soundtrack and the heartwarming moments shared with its dog companion.
Music to my ears
Koira is a hand-drawn 2D casual adventure that begins with the character waking up deep inside a magical snowy forest. But, rather than trudging it alone, you discover a puppy desperately needing your help. This is no ordinary dog, as it has the power of illumination and song, an ability that ultimately clears away the forest’s surrounding darkness. Together, the two of you explore the mystical woodlands to return home, using musical notes to communicate.
Music is, in fact, the only spoken word uttered by the playable character, who remains nameless to add to the mystery. So, if you’re calling out to the puppy, you’ll belt out some “ohhs” and “ahhs” to get its attention. It’s an interesting change of pace from the traditional heavy-dialogue games, and it almost felt like I was being put under some kind of spell with its enchanting vocals. Even the creatures and the environment have their own voice, where the subtle touch of a tree branch lets out a euphonious sound.
You’ll need the power of music and the cute doggo to solve Koira’s many puzzles. The demo occasionally presents them as locked ancient statues that require a compilation of musical notes. One initial challenge prompts a sing-off between the player and the puppy, collecting the notes dropped from it. I will say that the puzzles weren’t all that difficult, given that the solutions were easy to find. For instance, one of the statues involves the musical rendition of birds, which can all be found conveniently close by. The puppy also acts as a guide here to make the gameplay easy to comprehend. Regardless, it was nice not to strain myself with some convoluted objective, adding to the game’s calming vibe.
Dogs are a man’s best friend for a reason
Besides finding musical notes, Koira sprinkles some side adventures with the dog that bring out the best moments in the game. One of my favorites plays out like “Do you want to build a snowman?” which has you bunch up snowballs. Then, the cuteness factor takes it up a notch when the puppy grabs a few sticks like the good boy it is. While I was already sold on the snowman ventures, I was willing to put my life (well, my character’s life) on the line when the dog initiated a game of hide and seek.
It may sound as if these minigames are fairly plain, but for me, the simple stuff helped me bond a lot more with Koira’s companion. As a dog mom, it also hit a little close to home, where it often reminded me of my little escapades with my own furry companion. These games are the same ones I do at home, just without the whole mystical forest thing. There are even some interactions where you’ll need to comfort the dog when it gets terrified of strange noises and objects. And just like in real life, everything can be resolved once you give them a treat or a gentle pet.
The puppy only truly indulged in this fear towards the end of the demo when a group of hunters threatened to kidnap it. This element differs from the casual gameplay I experienced initially, and it will likely be explored more with the final version. Though, I don’t think Koira will have too many intense themes like this since it heavily emphasizes those cozy vibes and strays away from anything too stressful.
I look forward to seeing the full release to better understand how the rest of Koira goes. However it turns out, I’ve enjoyed every moment spent with that adorable little puppy, and I’m sure any dog or even pet owner will fall in love with it, too. Each moment almost always brought a smile to my face with every sweet exchange the two characters shared.
It could be your new favorite casual adventure game, even if you aren’t a pet lover. Koira’s perfect for those who want a stress-free experience with puzzles and mechanics that almost any type of player can grasp. The storyline may be subtle, but hopefully, more details on this will be touched upon later.
Koira will be available to play on PC on Aug. 17, 2025, and can now be wishlisted on Steam.
Published: Aug 26, 2024 09:22 am