This was a really cute, simple, and fun little game! Exactly what you would want from a Moomin game, with beautiful storybook-like visuals and charming character interactions. I was pleasantly surprised with just how many classic Moomin characters were included! The length was also really great for me (I think it took me about 6 hours to 100%), anything longer would have felt a little laborious considering the source material. The gameplay is super easy and more seeking/collecting focused, which also benefits from the short playtime because otherwise it would probably get boring and repetitive.

Anyway Snufkin really said be gay, do crimes and i love him

A beautiful lyrical game, but unfortunately an all too simple and rudimentary one.

I enjoyed my time trotting around the valley playing instruments to the flora and fauna of an evening. It was relaxing, wholesome, and calming. If you find pleasure in such games this will be perfect for you. If you equally are familiar with the characters of this land - even better. The art style is faithful to Jansson’s work and the occasional musical interlude from Sigur Rós is always welcome to my ears. I only wish there was more of it.

The passing stealth levels are as basic as possible. There is no real challenge or alternative way of approaching the task. That is not uncommon for adventure games yet they do tend to have a steeper puzzle element to allow for it. Melody of Moominvalley has none. You are tasked with collecting the odd item here or there but it’s nothing more complex than go to point B and back to point A. I recognise the game is largely for kids however and in that sense it offers a quaint and pleasant experience for the short time it maintains, but there could have been a lot more here. For example, let us read Moominpappa’s manuscript or compose the odd tune ourselves on the harmonica? It’s not a great deal to ask.

Oddly for such a simple game there are framerate issues on the Switch even when docked. This is now so common with every new release I barely raise an eyebrow these days, alas it’s worth noting. Equally I can’t really comprehend why there are so many loading screens - it is far from an expansive map or highly detailed visual experience. Couldn’t you have masked these loading points behind something? It all feels quite unthinking.

If you enjoy the sublime atmosphere of Moomins then you will undoubtedly enjoy your time in Moominvalley, as I did. It’s only somewhat disappointing there really was so little to do. You can finish the entire adventure in 3-4 hours I would imagine.

Everything about this game felt spot on. The aesthetic staying close to the original artworks of Tove Jansson brought a strong nostalgic feel, and the funny and clever dialogues brought you deeper into the world of Moominvalley. I loved finding, talking to and helping all the different characters. I was a kind of amazed and happily surprised how well the story played out, while weaving in the characters in a great way. Even some 'smaller characters' that I had almost forgotten about got their spotlight. I have so many favourite parts of this game. Can barely wait to replay this sometime in the future!

Overall, this game is very short and simple, but also very calming. The artstyle is beautiful and was a joy to look at while going through the game. Moomin as a franchise is one I've primarily experienced second hand throughout my life with my siblings being the ones who grew up with the show and not me so I wasn't familiar with everything, but I still had a good time. I did encounter some bugs, but they didn't prevent me from going through the game. I loved it.

Sidenote, seeing all those Scandinavian names in the credits warmed my heart as someone from there.