Developer: Dimfrost Studio
Publisher: Dimfrost Studio, Merge
Release date: April 27, 2023
Available on: Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S (reviewed), Xbox Series X
Bramble: The Mountain King is a dark fairy tale inspired by Nordic legends. It is not a tale for the faint of heart, as it touches on themes of suicide, infanticide, cruel violence against animals, and violence against children. It starts off charmingly enough, with Olle following his sister Lillimoor into the nearby forest, but the game soon gets dark and then very bloody. The tale is relayed through some terrific narration and the finding of texts that give a background on the various creatures you’ll meet over your 15-20 hour journey. The environments are well detailed and there are a few jump scares. While some creatures may be cute and adorable (the Gnomes), the giants are decidedly terrifying and quite brutal. Players may die often, but the good checkpoint system never sets you back too far.
The controls are generally responsive, and the game runs very smoothly on the Xbox Series S. I encountered no technical issues while I played. You can sprint and crouch (both will save you from horrible death), and the platforming is very intuitive. Light from a magic rock is your basic weapon, though aiming can be tricky at times. Boss fights can be long, and involve multiple stages, but the good checkpoint system works well in not having you always start at the beginning should you fall in battle. The boss fights will require you to maintain your focus, and enemy attacks will vary and they won’t always follow the same pattern. One boss battle late in the game is especially trippy and frightening. Be warned that Olle moves as a small boy, so paying attention to clues on upcoming attacks is very important. Death is always a gruesome affair, and the game pulls no punches in its depiction.
While Olle and Lillimoor encounter plenty of dangers, they also encounter some more friendly beasts along the way. These encounters add some charm and lighter moments in between the darker proceedings. You’ll also encounter plenty of puzzles, and here the game stumbles a bit, as some are very obtuse and may require some players to seek out a guide for their solution. The solutions always make sense in the end, with nothing coming out of left field to trip you up. Exploration can be a joy at times, but in spots it may take some doing to find a proper path forward. The ending is both harrowing and sweet, and the musical score is top notch.
In all, Bramble: The Moutain King is a journey well worth experiencing. It begins charmingly enough, but soon turns dark and bloody. The enemies are varied, with a couple being a bit terrifying. Platforming works very well and is very intuitive, though combat can be held back slightly by a wonky aiming system. Puzzles can be real head scratchers in spots, but their solutions always felt logical and never contrived. The 15-20 hour journey feels the proper lenght, as the game never overstays its welcome. Bramble: The Mountain King is another must play title in a year filled with can’t miss games, though those with young children and faint of heart will do well to proceed with caution. This game is well worth the price of admission, and should not be missed.
9/10 stars
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