Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley Critic Reviews

It’s a delightful experience that shows the value of proper narrative scripting in games, building on the Moomin world rather than just using it as a prop for yet another tired tie-in genre game.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a delightful adaptation and an absolutely mesmerizing adventure that, like a good book, I couldn’t put down until it was finished. With fun stealth and platforming sections, fantastic storytelling, incredible visuals, and a keen eye for what made Jansson’s work so captivating in the first place. Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a game that every Moomin fan, scratch that, every cosy game fan needs in their collection.

I didn’t know what to expect when I decided to review Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley. Least of all, did I expect that it would make me a fan of the works of Tove Jansson and help me fall in love with the cozy game genre. While there are a few minor visual issues on Switch, this is still an absolutely charming and relaxing adventure with a good message for generations to come.

Snufkin Memories of Moominvalley is a wholesome adventure with a clear message of environmental protection. It gives us a fresh take on the tale of human greed as a disruptor of nature. A truly stunning homage to the work of Tove Jansson and the messages of friendship and respect in the story of Moominvalley.

Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley is a fresh take on the work of Tove Jansson while still being faithful to the series and its characters. The developers love for Jansson’s creations is apparent throughout the game and this is the perfect step for the characters into a new medium. I enjoyed my short but sweet trip into Moomin Valley and look forward to more Moomin inspired games in the future.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is peaceful, it creates coziness, and I wish we had more such games.

I've never read any of the Moomin books, but last year or maybe the year before I did read a memoir by Jansson about a period of her life in which she settled on a little island, Klovharun. It was "a rock in the middle of nowhere", no running water or electricity and any shelter had to be constructed. The book presents a dream landscape, but it's one of those dreams in which you have so much to do. Sorting wood and fuel and things to eat and drink: Jansson loves all this, but she doesn't hide any of it or try to frame it as something that was easy. I see that same resilience, that same fortitude, when Snufkin calmly dismantles a park and pushes back the forces of order and regulation.

Inoffensive and tailor made for a young audience but that’s in no way meant as a knock against Snufkin. I came into this review completely uneducated to the world of Moominkin, but I think I’ve been won over to this part of Finnish folk stories. I saw Snufkin as a new indie cozy game, but instead found something charming, full of warmth and love. I discovered a whole world of stories I will now be reading to my young child. So long Frog and Toad! In a world where the Bluey game was a disappointment, I think this may be my child’s first video game that we play together, if only for more of the Moominkin world to explore. I came for the cozy game, but left with new parental gaming goals.

Presented in timeless watercolour, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a beautiful and heartwarming recreation of Moominvalley in videogame form. Being true to its source material throughout while introducing new elements like Sigur Ros’s music, elevates the experience close to definitive. If you want to share Moominvalley with anyone, or simply bask in a world we’ve collectively know for generations, this is now the best way to do it.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a sweet, charming and uniquely interesting game that perfectly captures the heart and spirit of the Moomin series.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a relaxed and slow-paced adventure, and sometimes that is what you need between shooters and action games.

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley opens with a goodbye. As an outsider, Snufkin doesn’t hibernate with the Moomins and must wander lonelily through the ice. The prospect of a reunion in the spring sets up a bittersweet mood, sews a seed of hope that grows throughout the game, and kicks off a quest to restore everything to its rightful place. Accomplished gameplay design and magical sounds and visuals make the whole adventure a delight.

A calm, cozy experience you can really immerse yourself in for a few hours while shutting out the world and enjoying somewhere somewhat strange yet utterly comforting.

By the time I had located and freed Moomintroll, though, I had fallen in love with this version of Moominvalley, and only wished for a little more to explore, especially now that Moomintroll was free and by Snufkin’s side. Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a short but sweet glimpse into the world of the Moomins, and it plays out just like one of its classic stories or TV episodes.

While Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley captivates with its enchanting art, heartfelt music and unique characters, it sometimes needs to deliver a more consistently-engaging gameplay experience. For enthusiasts of the Moomin universe, the game offers a delightful dive into a world filled with nostalgia and charm. Yet its appeal might extend less broadly due to the technical issues, alongside a gameplay loop that some may find monotonous, which detracts from its potential. The dedication to accessibility and the depth of emotional narrative are commendable, showcasing the developers' commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging experience. For the game to truly resonate with a broader audience, however, addressing the technical issues and refining the gameplay mechanics would be essential steps forward. Ultimately, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and art in video games, even as it navigates the complexities of delivering a seamless interactive experience.

Whether you’re a Moomin master or novice, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a relaxing game to re-ignite your passion for the outdoors. The game itself is not difficult—a kid could beat it within a day—and it’s not very long either. Despite the game being a bite-sized adventure, it feels like one that’ll stay with you for a very long time.

This is an uncomplicated game mechanically, meaning children can easily explore the world, while older players can take comfort in the cozy nature of its intentionally slow play. If you’re looking for something that’ll keep you on edge, or constantly engaged, Melody of Moominvalley is not it. But when you want something slow, something that appreciates nature and community — with an anti-authoritarian touch — you’ll enjoy this short four or so hours of Moomin.