Review: Koira (PC) – That VideoGame Blog

Oh, man, Koira. Where do I even start? It’s this indie game that kinda sneaks up on you, you know? Like, you think it’s gonna be this gentle walk in the park—but whoa, hang on—it’s way deeper. Picture this: a game where you’re just trotting around with your dog. No words. Just vibes. Studio Tolima cooked this one up, and DON’T NOD tossed it out into the world. And guess what? It works.

First off, the hand-drawn art. I swear, it’s like someone painted each scene while sipping on a strong cup of coffee (or maybe something stronger, who knows?). Seriously, looks more like art museum stuff than some game backdrop. The colors? Man, they just pull you in, making you wanna linger a bit longer. Oh, and the music? No biggie—just a soundtrack that totally nails it, getting the feels right when you can’t say a word. Yup, no dialogue. It’s just… there.

And then there’s this dog. Not just any dog, really feels like it’s alive, part of you. Playing fetch, sharing the silence—how does something so simple hit so hard? Makes you wanna give your own pet an extra treat. Or, I dunno, maybe I’m just sappy like that.

Okay, here’s where it gets fun: puzzles. Don’t freak out, they’re not the nail-biting kind. More like brain-ticklers. If you’re hunting for high-speed chases or bad guys to smash, maybe skip it. But if you’re into the cozy, thoughtful sort of challenges—yeah, you’re in the right place. Sometimes you’re sneaking past hunters and their scary dogs. Stuff can get tense. But just when it feels like it’s getting all serious, it pulls back.

Did I mention it’s pretty short? Like, four hours-ish. Some might say it’s over when you’re just settling in. But hey, I say better tell a good tale quick than drag it on forever, right? Depends on what mood you’re in.

Koira, in the end, shows us that games don’t need clutter to leave a mark. Just give me some art, a touch of music, and a story told through nods and wags. It reminds you—and maybe I’m going too deep here—that the loudest stories sometimes don’t utter a word. If you’re up for a chill vibe that leaves you thinking long after, give this one a go. Just keep a tissue close, just in case. You didn’t hear it from me, though.