Bramble The Mountain King is, for my cash, one in every of 2023’s most beautiful and putting indie video games. This atmospheric motion platformer impressed by darkish Nordic fables comes from Sweden-based Dimfrost Studio, and it’s fairly the achievement for simply the crew’s second outing. Scored by a implausible soundtrack that ranges from the haunting to the bombastic, Bramble The Mountain King has caught vividly in my reminiscence – and now because of a Steam sale you may seize it at an enormous low cost, so transfer quick.
Following the story of a younger boy named Olle who’s thrown into the whims of journey when his sister is taken captive by a troll, you set out into the eponymous land of Bramble searching for her whereabouts. However the unusual lands are house to all method of mysterious and terrifying creatures – a few of which is likely to be pleasant, however lots of whom are decidedly not.
Olle makes use of his Spark of Braveness to beat the varied trials he encounters, which vary from navigating the setting and watching out for traps to going through down quite a few ominous creatures impressed by Nordic mythology. The attractive, misty forests play house to all method of risks, large and small, and also you’ll must preserve your eyes educated always.
The ‘boss fights’ are maybe a few of Bramble’s most interesting moments – many are usually not easy showdowns however quite prolonged sequences the place you will need to elude their consideration and determine the right way to move by or overcome the creature. After they do flip to extra straight-up fights, Olle can use his Spark a bit like an over-the-shoulder shooter to search out weak spots in his opponents’ armor and are available out triumphant.
I used to be actually taken by Bramble’s sense of place and environment. Its mechanics are stable sufficient to not get in the best way, if nothing too outstanding, however the artwork route, sound design, and animation come collectively to make one thing really particular. From the haunting warped, actuality of the Pesta to the screaming fairytale horror of the Kärrhäxan, every encounter in Bramble feels distinctive from the others, they usually’re all burned into my mind.
Because the trailer teases, you do even get to listen to Grieg’s iconic Within the Corridor of the Mountain King – and, regardless of the potential for cliché, the purpose when it occurs is a powerful contender for my favourite second of the yr in any recreation up to now.
Bramble The Mountain King is 40% off on Steam till August 18, 2023 – count on to pay $17.99 / £14.99 down from $29.99 / £24.99. If you wish to bask in its beautiful artwork and sound design much more, the Digital Deluxe Version together with the soundtrack and a digital artbook is 46% off – that’s $21.03 / £17.81, down from $38.97 / £32.99.
You should buy Bramble the Mountain King on Steam. It’s additionally out there as a part of the PC Sport Cross library through the Xbox app, should you’re a subscriber to Microsoft’s service.
Alternatively, we’ve received extra of one of the best single-player video games that you would be able to play in 2023, or you may browse one of the best horror video games on PC to bask in much more creepy, atmospheric adventures.
