It starts out quite whimsical, and progresses into something of a horror game in the second half. Over the course of the game, you will likely see him stabbed, mangled, sliced and crushed numerous times, all of which adds to the effect that’s caused by his general appearance, – that he’s more a doll or a puppet that you’re imagining through this world of folk monsters.Īgain, much like folk tales, Bramble: The Mountain King defies thematic genre. He doesn’t have a lot that’s on his side, apart from his wits, the magical stone in his hand, and his own two legs. Olle’s journey towards his sister takes him through an increasingly dark world that’s replete with giant trolls, gruesome witches, plague-ridden villages, and yes – deadly bramble. It all works together to create the impression of snuggling up at bedtime to hear this tale from an experienced storyteller.

Much like centuries-old folk tales passed down through oral repetition, there’s a lot here that feels uncanny and imperfect – perhaps intentionally so. Their adventures soon take a darker turn, however, and Olle finds himself alone and anxious to find his sister. They discover a mysterious and light-filled stone, encounter friendly gnomes, and jump across toadstool mushrooms in their whimsical adventures. It follows young Olle as he goes after his older sister Lillemor into a forest full of fancy. The tale itself is straightforward enough. It doesn’t just relate the stories and legends of the past in a more palatable format, but rather, it takes a confident stance towards telling a story in a style that’s unmistakably like a folk tale. It feels very much like a work of folklore in itself. Indie video games frequently take inspiration from traditional folklore, but Bramble: The Mountain King goes a step beyond.

26 Apr, 2023 Check out our review of Bramble: The Mountain King to find out what we thought about this dark adventure inspired by Nordic fables.ĭisclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, Into Indie Games earn from qualifying purchases made through links included in its articles.

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