I played an early build of the game, so the problems I had could be fixed in the final release. What should be a short and engaging 3D platformer sadly devolves into 10 hours of agonizing over dead ends and unclear mechanics. I had to choose to put the game down rather than try and understand their purpose. Enemies don’t even make their introduction until Chapter 6. The lack of clarity led me to solve pretty much everything through brute force. It also exposes tracks that only occasionally lead you in the right direction. Banging your drum produces light, which you will never need. The most frustrating part about Skábma – Snowfall is how unnecessary its issues are. “What should be a short and engaging 3D platformer sadly devolves into 10 hours of agonizing over dead ends and unclear mechanics.” Slogging through to get to the enjoyable parts of the game is unnecessary, especially when they are in such short supply. After spending the first two chapters without any abilities, to find that three of the remaining five act as keys was underwhelming. While it makes sense to have these act as keys for accessing new areas, the pacing does this a disservice. These are fun to play with yet drastically underutilized. For example, wind allows you to dash and summon gusts to propel you, while fire unlocks a double jump. Each element comes with an ability focused on Áilu, and one that alters the environment. As you make your way through the story, you gain control over the elements of air, earth, fire, and water. The platforming in Skábma – Snowfall is quite enjoyable when you get the chance to engage with it. Of course, this only adds to the confusion, as exploration leads to disorientation. This requires numerous detours from the path forward. Collectibles exist, mostly tucked away behind walls or difficult jumps. This could easily be rectified with more to do, as the world feels unbelievably empty. The lack of clear direction only adds unneeded frustration. As a result, I spent far too much time aimlessly running in circles. While I don’t mind the choice, the game is void of affirmation, leaving me constantly unsure of my path. There are no maps or significant markers present throughout your adventure. The subpar communication used to bridge the language barrier extends to navigation in the game. “The gameplay in Skábma – Snowfall is quite enjoyable when you get the chance to engage with it. Unfortunately, this is not the only place where the game fumbles. There are times when this is not the case, however, it is not the majority. Additionally, this information is extremely easy to miss as it is usually only given once. While these definitions are on the website, not having them in-game is a missed opportunity. For example, many Sámi words are in use, though with minimal explanation. Sadly, Skábma – Snowfall isn’t as good at making all of its cultural information feel relevant. Consequently, the game succeeds at crafting a tangible world through which to experience the Sámi culture. The voice-acting is even in the Northern Sami (davvisámegiella) language. Campfires scattered across each area offer scenic moments accompanied by beautiful songs when you stop to rest. From the trees to the mountains, everything instilled a certain calm into the world. A gentle sort of expression lingers about the world and its environments. You control Áilu as she sets out to protect her family and home from dangerous corruption. Skábma – Snowfall reminds me of an early Pixar film. Image Credit – Red Stage Entertainment “The game succeeds at crafting a tangible world through which to experience the Sámi culture.” Skábma – Snowfall, a game that lets you adventure as a Sámi shaman, exploring a world inspired by their homeland and culture, unfortunately, doesn’t quite live up to the expectations it sets. Therefore, I relish any game that offers such an opportunity. You can probably tell that I enjoy taking in new information. Between playing games like Carmen Sandiego and The ClueFinders in my youth and teaching, I remain fascinated by their use as a learning tool. I consider myself a fan of education in gaming.
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