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Bramble: The Mountain King Reviews
Product: Bramble: The Mountain King
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A Boy's Burden: Bramble's Haunting Tale
summarizeEditor's Summary
Bramble: The Mountain King is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling, weaving a tale that's both heartwarming and heart-wrenching. With its beautiful soundtrack and challenging platforming, this game will keep you on the edge of your seat. But be warned: it's not for the faint of heart.
settingsSpecifications
KararMükemmel
OyunKalitesi9/10
GrafikKalitesi7/10
HikayeKalitesi8/10
I recently played Bramble: The Mountain King and was blown away by how atmospheric it is and how much it impacts the player. It's hard to put into words the full range of emotions, but I'll try to break down why I think everyone should play this game (especially those who love reimagining fairy tales, platformers, and heartwarming stories), and what you should be aware of (in some cases, the game can be emotionally challenging and leave a bad taste).
"Basic" info about Bramble: The Mountain King.
The game came out in 2023, developed by Dimfrost Studio and published by Merge Games.
It's inspired by Scandinavian folklore, and also has horror elements, which I'll touch on as I share my thoughts.
The story is straightforward, almost fairy tale-like: one morning, a boy named Olle wakes up to find his older sister Lilliemor missing. He sets out to find her in the forest, where they initially play and meet fantastical creatures – gnomes and fairies. It all seems carefree and charming until Lilliemor gets kidnapped by a troll. Then Olle has to rescue her on his own. Without giving too much away, I'll just say the game masterfully makes you feel for the kid, rejoice when he's safe, and keeps you on edge – you won't be bored.
In the gnomes' village
Another fantastical creatureThe game is all about contrasts. Why I played Bramble from start to finish.
As I mentioned, the beginning is seemingly carefree. The world feels like a living fairy tale: lush, vibrant fields, a cozy gnome village, giant mushrooms (like in Alice in Wonderland), babbling brooks, and more – it's hard not to be charmed. Honestly, I wanted to feel like I was in the game, it's so realistically and beautifully rendered.
Enchanting
But what really gets me is that there are horror elements here. It's not just mindless jump scares – it's a full-on atmosphere shift: the lights go out, and you're hit with some pretty intense scenes that you don't see coming, especially after the cute stuff you've seen so far. Reminds me of the Brothers Grimm stories – it's like that level of unflinching brutality. When you see a troll cooking up something in the kitchen and you think, 'Hey, maybe I'll be the main course,' it's not just your imagination running wild – the game can actually make that happen. Like, you know, getting caught in a trap or stepping on a spike. Or, you know, poor Olle getting eaten alive.
That's when things started to get real scary.
The sense of safety just gets blown to smithereens. And I especially love how vulnerable our protagonist is in this world. If it weren't for the game's mechanics, he'd be toast – no way he could outrun those giant creatures, no way he could keep going without a break, no way he could climb or crawl or jump his way out of trouble.
But there are some sweet, heartwarming moments too.
The further you go, the more intense it gets, and poor Olle's got to deal with some serious destruction, brutality, and the consequences of the plague. He's trying to do the right thing, and it's pretty clear that one person, even with a magic stone, just isn't enough. There are things that are just beyond our control. The magic starts to run out, and it's all about showing you the harsh reality – like in our own history books.
I loved the music at this point.
Enemies are hot on Olle's heelsOn bosses and battles with them.
I'm not afraid to say that every boss in this game has stuck with me (even if I can barely remember their names). Given the size difference, Olle has to rely on quick reflexes, stealth, and cunning to take them down.
The battle with Nekken was intense – I'm not even sure if you can call it a battle. The game does an amazing job of ratcheting up the tension: one wrong move and you're back to square one, and even if you're moving at lightning speed, the boss can still catch up to you. The animations are top-notch, and I've got to give credit to the devs for their attention to detail when it comes to Norse mythology.
Each boss has a book with their backstory
Old Hag Pest is the personification of disease and death – she's armed with a rake and a broom. The fight against her is utterly bonkers, seared into my memory, and has a touch of surrealism to it.
Of course, she's not the only boss in the game. But let's just say they're a surprise for those who haven't played or watched a walkthrough (although, in my opinion, it's better to play through it yourself to experience the full range of emotions).
Puppet-like charactersThe positive characters – Olle, Lillimor, and Tova – have big eyes, small noses, and pursed lips, making them look like 'pups.' Ironically, some of my friends found this unsettling. I think it was done to make the player more attached to them, but I'm indifferent to the decision. It didn't really make me go 'awww,' nor did it repel me.
Who might not enjoy this game?
People who are sensitive to violence and gore. There's a lot of it, and I'm not trying to sugarcoat it - the scenes are intense, and the story is pretty dark too. I'm a pretty empathetic person, and even I found myself getting a little uncomfortable at times. Who's likely to love this game?
Fans of dark, twisted stories and fairy tales; Fans of platformers. The jumping, grabbing, timing, and strategy required to get through levels is all here; Fans of straightforward puzzles; Fans of Norse mythology and beyond; People who prefer games that don't require a huge time commitment.
To be honest, the final boss and the ending didn't quite live up to my expectations. That being said, the game has made it into my top favorites, and I'd be happy to buy a sequel or something similar from the same developer.
Thanks for reading!
live_helpFeatured FAQ
What is Bramble: The Mountain King about?
Bramble: The Mountain King is a platformer game that follows the story of a boy named Olle as he searches for his missing sister in a mysterious forest.
Is Bramble: The Mountain King a scary game?
Yes, Bramble: The Mountain King has some intense horror elements, including jump scares and creepy sound effects.
Is Bramble: The Mountain King suitable for all ages?
No, Bramble: The Mountain King is not suitable for all ages due to its intense horror elements and emotional themes.
How long does it take to complete Bramble: The Mountain King?
It takes around 6-8 hours to complete Bramble: The Mountain King, depending on your skill level and playstyle.
Can I play Bramble: The Mountain King on my console?
Yes, Bramble: The Mountain King is available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation.
Is Bramble: The Mountain King a challenging game?
Yes, Bramble: The Mountain King has challenging platforming and puzzles that require precise timing and spatial awareness.
Can I play Bramble: The Mountain King with my friends?
No, Bramble: The Mountain King is a single-player game.
Is Bramble: The Mountain King a good game for beginners?
Yes, Bramble: The Mountain King is a great game for beginners due to its intuitive controls and gentle learning curve.
Can I customize the game's difficulty level?
Yes, you can customize the game's difficulty level to suit your playstyle.
Is Bramble: The Mountain King a good game for fans of platformers?
Yes, Bramble: The Mountain King is a great game for fans of platformers due to its challenging platforming and creative level design.
Can I play Bramble: The Mountain King on my mobile device?
No, Bramble: The Mountain King is not available on mobile devices.
Is Bramble: The Mountain King a good game for fans of horror games?
Yes, Bramble: The Mountain King is a great game for fans of horror games due to its intense horror elements and creepy atmosphere.
check_circlePros
- •The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, with a soundtrack that perfectly complements the on-screen action.
- •The platforming is challenging but rewarding, requiring precise timing and spatial awareness.
- •The game's use of Scandinavian folklore adds a unique twist to the traditional fairy tale narrative.
- •The visuals are stunning, with a color palette that's both vibrant and muted in all the right places.
- •The game's sound design is top-notch, with creepy sound effects that will have you jumping out of your seat.
- •The puzzles are clever and intuitive, requiring you to think creatively to progress.
- •The game's themes of family and loss are both timely and timeless, making for a compelling narrative.
- •The game's length is just right, clocking in at around 6-8 hours of gameplay.
- •The game's controls are responsive and intuitive, making it easy to pick up and play.
cancelCons
- •The game's horror elements can be quite intense, so be prepared for some jump scares and creepy moments.
- •The game's difficulty spikes can be frustrating, especially in the later levels.
- •The game's story can be emotionally challenging, so be prepared for some sad moments.
- •The game's lack of a clear narrative structure can make it hard to follow at times.
- •The game's visuals can be a bit glitchy at times, especially in the later levels.
- •The game's sound effects can be a bit overwhelming at times, especially in the more intense moments.
- •The game's puzzles can be a bit too easy at times, making them feel a bit too straightforward.
- •The game's length can feel a bit short, especially for players who are used to longer games.
