Just over a year ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing the PC version of Röki for The Digital Fix. This emotional tale of loss, magic and monsters blew me away at every turn, and I was keen to recommend it to anyone who hadn’t already played it. Now, the adventure has finally released on all current-gen console platforms. I was kindly given the opportunity to revisit its Scandinavian folklore-inspired world on PlayStation 5 by publisher United Label Games, and I enthusiastically accepted. And this time, I was determined to embrace everything the game had to offer and complete it to 100%.
Step into Scandinavian Folklore
Röki opens with a young girl, Tove, encouraging her mischievous younger brother Lars to return home for tea. The pair pass a mysterious stone statue of a monster on their way, as well as crossing over a bridge under which Lars insists there is a troll. Tove laughs, marvelling at her brother’s imagination. However, the joke is on her, as very soon her seemingly clear-cut perception of the world will turn on its head.
After preparing their meal of eggs (again) and topping up their alcoholic father Henrik’s fire to keep him warm as he snoozes away in his armchair, Tove takes Lars to their attic room and reads him a bedtime story. This story tells the tale of the fierce Jötnar Guardians who once protected the forest. The Guardian Jötunravn, having fallen in love with a human woodcutter, cast herself in human form. The child that she and the woodcutter bore was a monster, feared by and repulsive to the Jötnar. As such, they were banished to a realm of their own. Tove’s deceased mother always said the tale was true – and the events that follow prove she was right.
A Beautiful Puzzle Adventure
In the night, after taking Lars out to the outhouse, a terrifying monster attacks. This is where Röki‘s puzzle-adventure gameplay kicks in, as to enable Tove and Lars to flee, you must free their sled from the ceiling of their basement. Leaving their father trapped under the debris, the pair slide down the hill on which their house sits. Left with no other choice, they enter the nearby forest in search of safety. Predictably, the two soon become separated. It isn’t long before Lars is swept up by the monster and taken deeper into the forest. More puzzles must be solved to enable Tove to find him again, but it is too late; he is taken through a magical portal, and out of reach. With this, the game’s primary storyline becomes apparent: only you can find Lars again and save him from certain doom.
As Tove, you must enlist the help of the forest’s many magical creatures – including the Guardians – to save Lars. There is no combat to worry about, and no fear of death; only puzzles aplenty for you to solve. Some of these puzzles are lengthy and have multiple steps to complete, while others are more straightforward. Some are intertwined, so you are forced to progress in one before you can advance elsewhere. At times, you’ll need to cross from one side of the map to the other in search of the items you need. You’ll also need to devise solutions for complex problems. Tove’s journal is the perfect aid for this. It provides you with her latest musings on her situation, as well as a map of the forest. It also houses all of the collectibles that you find along the way, almost like a mini museum.
Perfectly at Home on PS5
Tove’s journey isn’t easy. She travels from frozen mountain peaks to the depths of the forest; from infected, rotting ruins to the lairs of fierce beasts, and beyond. A variety of adversaries threaten her progress, including (but not limited to) a hideous giant tarantula, a lost soul haunting a lake, and parasites that incite endless nightmares. The latter force her to revisit some of her most traumatic memories, reminding her of her past and its events. The unfolding plot involving Rörka and Röki is similarly harrowing, and as such, this isn’t a game for the faint-hearted. If you decide to play it, keep some tissues nearby, and prepare for some hard-hitting storytelling. Rest assured that the PlayStation 5 is a perfect platform to experience the adventure on.
When playing Röki on PC, I tried both its keyboard-and-mouse and controller controls. While inventory management and combining items was easier using the mouse, the overall experience (at least in my opinion) is better-suited to being played from a couch than at a desk. The bigger screen of a TV allows you to appreciate the beautiful aesthetic of the game more, and immerse yourself fully in its gorgeous environments. The characters are heavily stylised, with each creature having its own charm, from the tiny Tomtes to the mighty Jötnar. The soundtrack of the game compliments the visuals perfectly, with some tracks sticking in your head long after playing (thinking about Jötunulfur’s mountain lair). As noted in my PC review, full voice acting is absent, but what little there is, is done in such a skilful way that the player feels every emotion. Nothing else needs to be said.
A Tale Worth Telling
Röki‘s strengths remain as its powerful storytelling, challenging puzzles, and stunning aesthetic throughout. Its simple but artistic direction creates an enthralling world of magic and wonder, allowing for a deep-dive into Scandinavian culture. Tove’s humorous, yet vulnerable, account of her journey through her journal shows us all that children can be the bravest of us all in the face of adversity. When presented with the opportunity to play as Henrik later in the game, it is also a stark reminder of human imperfection, and how we all make mistakes in our lives.
I do stand by my previous verdict that Röki‘s ending is a little disappointing, offering little retribution for the evils committed, but for the moral lessons it teaches, it does hold merit. After doing this completionist run as well, I noticed just how difficult many of the collectibles are to spot. These are easily missed, particularly in the opening sequences, as you may not be expecting them. Several of the in-game achievements require you to complete specific actions as well, many of which you may not immediately think to do. This means that if you want to chase that shiny Platinum trophy as I did, it may be worth seeking out a guide or following a walkthrough to make sure that you don’t miss anything. You’ll not always have clear instructions available on how to proceed, so this will also help with any uncertainties you have there as well.
Conclusion
If you are after a story-driven adventure with challenging puzzles, well-developed characters, emotional story beats and a wealth of collectibles to loot, then Röki is a game that I can recommend to you whole-heartedly. It is a beautiful tale of love, loss and magic, pulling on your heartstrings throughout. You’ll need to think through puzzles in-depth at times, and scour the world for the items you need, but this will never feel like a chore given the beautiful scenery and similarly vibrant score. Take the time to fully explore the game world, and you will find yourself richly rewarded. This is a game that will stay with you, and warrant a replay or two.
A review code was kindly provided by United Label Games.
