Symphonia is a game that takes the concept of musical integration and marries it with beautiful 2D visuals. Developed by Sunny Peak, this 2D action platformer is a breath of fresh air.

From the moment you start playing Symphonia, the game's art style grabs your attention. The hand-drawn visuals are nothing short of stunning, with each frame meticulously crafted to create a vibrant and immersive world. The environments are rich with detail, and the character designs are both unique and expressive. The animation is fluid and smooth, making movements appealing when you aren't landing on spikes. It's clear that the Indie developers put a lot of love and effort into making the game visually appealing and equally challenging.

What sets Symphonia apart from other games is how it incorporates music into the gameplay without turning it into a rhythm game. Unlike notable titles like the Just Dance franchise, where the fun filled gameplay revolves around following the beat, Symphonia uses music as a core element of its world and mechanics to fuel the adventure. The protagonist, Philemon, is a violinist who uses his instrument to interact with the environment and looks good doing so. The goal in Symphonia is to re-activate the machinery that returns its life and energy. Whether it's playing a tune to unlock a door or using the violin bow to perform acrobatic moves, there is something music related in one way or another.

The creativity of the developers shines through in how they designed the levels and challenges. Each area in the game is inspired by different musical instruments, and the puzzles and obstacles are cleverly tied to these themes. For example, you might find yourself bouncing on strings like trampolines or navigating through wind-powered sections. This innovative approach keeps the gameplay fresh and exciting, as you're constantly discovering new ways to use music to your advantage. The orchestral soundtrack, composed by Olivier Esman and his team, is wonderful and enhances the emotional impact of the game. The music is not just background noise; it's an integral part of the story and gameplay as seen in this first 30 minutes of Symphonia:

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure, is a puzzle adventure game developed by Furniture & Mattress. Even I had to double check the name of this developer, love the lighthearted comical approach to the name. Then again, if the game studio is located above a furniture store... that would be quite interesting.

Anyway, Arranger... follows the story of Jemma, a small-town misfit on a journey of self-discovery. She ventures beyond her cozy confines to find an inspiring world, but also one ruled by fear and a strange, immovable ‘static’ force. The gameplay takes place on a unique, interconnected grid that unites movement, exploration, and combat and it's simple on the surface... but don't get it twisted, it's a challenging puzzler.

As Jemma moves, anything on the same row or column moves with her (as seen in the gameplay below), creating a playful sense of chaos and interesting puzzles. So you will have to figure things out by way of the grid-based movement system. The game is designed to be an easy to play RPG. You won't find XP or inventory management here, focusing instead on in-world interactions. The story-driven adventure aims to disrupt a culture of stagnation and help Jemma find her place in the world.

Outside of the gameplay, I love the artwork. It's always great to see games showcasing illustrations, and this game has art throughout. It's colorful and works well with the simple yet complex gameplay. It feels like it's straight out of a whimsical storybook or a comic strip with a lot more depth than those I'm use to. Looking at the art style and how simple + inviting the game is... I feel like this would be a challenging cozy couch title that people of all ages can enjoy, and since it's rated E... your younglings should be good to go! Arranging: A Role-Puzzling Adventure is available now!

ultros

A MYSTERIOUS, LAYERED LOOP

The rich world of ULTROS holds many secrets for those curious enough — and fearless enough — to seek them out. A unique loop-based mechanic will allow you to start over at key moments in the story, providing opportunities to unfold such secrets, unlock different areas of the world and new abilities on a branching skill tree. Experiment with and master your own specific fighting style as you explore the world of ULTROS. Each loop brings you closer to the truth...