There is no doubt about it – narrative-driven puzzlers are right up there in and amongst the finest of all gaming experiences. Unleaving breaks free from PC to try its hand on Xbox.Â
Available today as the latest ‘Limbo-esque’ gaming experience to land on Xbox is Unleaving. It’s previously done the rounds on PC, to pretty great effect too, gathering up some serious acclaim.
A hand-painted adventure
On Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, it’s easy to see where those Limbo comparisons come from. This is a hand-painted world of goodness, as we follow a child protagonist who has been drawn in to a strange world.Â
What the Orangutan Matter team behind Unleaving have created is seemingly first class. But it’s the premise which really sets this one up, pushing players into a game that is found featuring mind-bending puzzles and a journey through a child’s eyes.
Its title borrows from Gerard Manley Hopkins’ poem to a young child “Spring and Fall,” which contemplates the transient nature of life. And that means the game is filled with metaphors that invite players to introspect and interpret personally, a rarity in the medium.
Fully inspired by 1980’s gaming world of ‘try and repeat’ gameplay, it features thousands of hand-painted artworks and traditional animation and dream-like music. Does it work? Well, we’re on the review train and will be sure to let you know real soon. There’s a real good chance that this artistic game comes out with flying colours.
Buy now!
You’ll find Unleaving on the Xbox Store, playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.Â
You can grab it on Steam if you so prefer.Â
Whichever, get a look at this one in action via the trailer…
Unleaving Description
When everything seems hopeless a child is awakened by the whispers of the last leaf, drawn into an imaginary world. Unleaving invites the player into a narrative-driven puzzle platformer where each challenge unfolds within a hand-painted landscape, exploring perception and meaning.
