Resonance of the Ocean, a short adventure released on July 9, 2022 by developers Image Labo, invites players to a serene island where the waves tell a mysterious tale. In this musical puzzle game, players craft instruments from items washed ashore, responding to enigmatic echoes across the ocean. The game’s charming aesthetic and unique concept suggest a tranquil gaming experience.
Join me as we delve into this game’s soundscape and discover the artistry behind this cozy game title.
Resonance of the Ocean Review: Key Game Elements
- Genre: Adventure, Casual, Indie
- Creator: Image Labo, Heaviside Creations
- Publisher: Image Labo
- Player Modes: Single-player
- Platforms: Windows, Mac
- Price on Steam: Free
Resonance of the Ocean revolves around the concept of crafting musical instruments from flotsam and jetsam scattered along a desolate island’s shores.
Of course, there’s a lot I forgive when a game is free – but I’ll still take a critical approach to reviewing this cozy game.
Gameplay
Resonance of the Ocean’s gameplay experience centers around daily sound-based puzzles. As the waves bring forth new sounds each day, players embark on a quest to gather items washed ashore and fashion them into makeshift instruments. The challenge lies in discerning the mysterious sounds across the ocean and cleverly combining found items to replicate them.
The mechanics and controls behind this process are not intuitive. It can take some time until you understand exactly how to fashion the flotsam into instruments.
The process of crafting involves inventive combinations, such as using a bottle and twig to create a bell. The game cleverly integrates these puzzles, progressively increasing in complexity without overwhelming players, ensuring an enjoyable and satisfying experience.
The controls, while unconventional in adopting a keyboard-only approach (utilizing WASD, Z, X, C, Shift, and Space), surprisingly enhance the immersion. The absence of mouse interactions and controls messed with my gaming flow, especially because I am more of a Nintendo Switch and Playstation gamer – not sorry to PC diehards.
Overall, it’s not the most comfortable or fluid experience interacting in the game or moving around.
There are three levels of difficulty in total in the whole game, defined by the complexity of the sounds you have to create in order to progress. With some practice, you’ll be able to work through these relatively easily.
Narrative and Styling
Resonance of the Ocean tries to weave an emotive tale around a nameless protagonist drawn to the echoes of a faint melody across the waves. The narrative unfolds mysteriously, with symbols on stones and remnants of a past inhabitant hinting at a story left for players to interpret.
The intentional vagueness adds whatever depth can be gained from this cozy game, because it leaves it up to you to make your own narrative of what it could mean.
The game’s hand-drawn visuals are very cozy aesthetic in their charm. The seaside landscape, lightly animated to depict swaying grass and the solitude of the main character, complements the nostalgic and lonely atmosphere.
The muted color palette enhances the overall sense of calm, creating a visually pleasing backdrop for the player’s musical exploration.
Sound design takes center stage, featuring a beautifully melodic title track and ambient effects that immerse players in the serene setting. The puzzle-related sounds add to the overall experience, creating a harmonious blend that elevates Resonance of the Ocean into a multisensory journey.
The synthesis of narrative, visuals, and sound design underscores the game’s ability to captivate players within its little world, just enough to take a break from the world.
Playtime and Accessibility
Resonance of the Ocean, with its concise gameplay, offers an estimated playtime of 15 to 30 minutes. This brevity caters to those seeking a quick and immersive escape, making it an ideal choice for a cozy gaming session.
Accessibility is a notable strength of the game. Despite its unconventional keyboard-only controls (WASD, Z, X, C, Shift, and Space), the absence of mouse controls doesn’t hinder the overall accessibility. The controls are responsive, contributing to the game’s rhythmic flow.
Available on Windows and Mac platforms, including Steam and itch.io, Resonance of the Ocean ensures widespread accessibility for players across different systems. This inclusivity enhances the game’s appeal, inviting a diverse audience to experience its tranquil and creative gameplay, regardless of their preferred gaming platform.
Resonance of the Ocean Pros
Soothing Atmosphere: The game excels in creating a tranquil and cozy atmosphere, providing players with a relaxing experience.
Unique Concept: The central theme of crafting musical instruments from washed-up items adds a distinctive and creative element to the gameplay.
Engaging Sound Puzzles: Daily sound-based puzzles offer an engaging challenge without becoming overly complex, contributing to the overall charm.
Hand-Drawn Visuals: The hand-drawn art style enhances the game’s visual appeal, creating a charming and aesthetically pleasing environment.
It’s Free!: You don’t need to pay a dime to play Resonance of the Ocean, making it one of the few free cozy games out there.
Resonance of the Ocean Cons
Unconventional Controls: The keyboard-only controls may be unconventional for some players, especially those accustomed to mouse controls.
Brief Gameplay: While the short playtime of 15-30 minutes is a pro for some, others may find the brevity limiting, wishing for a more extended gaming experience.
Vague Narrative: The intentional vagueness in the narrative may leave some players desiring more depth of feeling so intrinsic to cozy game favorites like Gris or Spiritfarer.
Limited Platform Availability: While accessible on Windows and Mac, the game’s availability on other platforms may be desired by a broader audience.
Conclusion
In summary, Resonance of the Ocean is a pleasant blend of simplicity and cuteness, offering a unique musical puzzle adventure set against the backdrop of a perhaps more shallow narrative.
Final Recommendation:
For cozy gamers seeking their dose of escapism and a touch of mystery, Resonance of the Ocean is a worthwhile game to play – especially since it’s completely free.
Its charming visuals, soundscapes, and inventive gameplay make it a delightful addition to the cozy gaming genre.
Scoring System (Out of 5):
Game Design: 4/5 - Intuitive and creative game design that seamlessly integrates daily sound puzzles and crafting mechanics.
Game Narrative: 4/5 - An emotive and mysterious tale that sparks curiosity and contemplation.
Game Mechanics: 4/5 - Unconventional yet effective keyboard-only controls enhance the immersive experience.
Cozy Factor: 5/5 - The game excels in delivering a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed gaming session.
Platform Availability: 4/5 - Accessible on Windows and Mac platforms, including Steam and itch.io.
Cozy gamers should definitely consider Resonance of the Ocean for a brief escape into its musical world!
