Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley Review (PC)

If you were to take a peek outside, perhaps as the clock trickles over its twilight window, then you might just spot a whimsical creature uprooting the signage and fence panels in a nearby communal garden. As it turns out, this isn’t an unusual occurrence in the likes of Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, nor is it something that fans of Tove Jansson’s works would come to discard, as such oddities are commonplace, both within the beloved texts of the cult classic literature, and also the virtual world of Hyper Games’ faithful reincarnation on PC. Needless to say that, as far as two-for-one love letters to the acclaimed author travel, the cutesy story-driven musical serenade is arguably one of the best of the bunch — and then some.

Before I plunged into the grass-stricken cabinet of paper woodlands and fluorescent meadows, I did, in all honesty, have to submit myself to a rather lengthy training course in the art of Nordic folktales. In my mind, the so-called Moomins were a figment of mere imagination—a runaway staple, even, that had no real value outside of its 1954 source material. But I was wrong, as a few hours of research eventually led me to realize that such eco-hearty humanoids were a beacon of hope in Jansson’s literature — and that I, an avid reader with little to no knowledge in the field, was an outsider looking through the remnants of a spyglass. I didn’t know Jansson by trade, but by the time I finished glossing over the final few pages of their works, I could just about relate to Hyper Games’ devotion to reigniting the world’s former status.

So, what have I learned about the Moomins, besides the fact that their hearts lie with the art of eco-friendly shenanigans and naturalistic beauty? Let’s talk.

All Natural

Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is a warmly written love letter to Finnish author Tove Jansson’s Moomins—a collection of tales that are widely known for their historical significance in the art of friendship, love, and world conservation. The game, which carries a host of characters and references from the original literature, builds its walls around Snufkin, a titular eco warrior who, like The Lorax, perhaps, serves as something of a conservationist of sorts. But there’s an issue: in the absence of the wildlife-loving guru, The Park Rangers have since stepped in and made the tactful decision to implement one or two laws in the local gardens—choices that just so happen to directly influence the natural landscape and its inhabitants. It’s your role, as the returning Snufkin, to right a few wrongs, and return the natural beauty of the park back to its roots.

Story-wise, there isn’t a huge amount to go on, as it’s more or less the case of taking one kindhearted soul to the edge of the gardens and back, and knocking over a few signs to steer local law enforcement away from their designated posts along the way. But that’s not an issue, as the heart and soul of the journey idles within the wholesome atmosphere and well-written characters that stem from the whimsical nature of Jansson’s imagination. From Mrs Fillyjonk to Snorkmaiden, Toffle to Too-Ticky, each and every cameo in Melody of Moominvalley bears just a sliver of the charm from the source material, and if none of these names ring a bell for you, then don’t sweat it — it’s all weird and wonderful in this world.

Evidently Cozy

The word ‘cozy’ tends to get thrown around a lot when it comes to brushing over these sorts of easy-living genres, and understandably so. Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is not a threatening game, nor is it one to pose a zeros of perplexing challenges for players to wrack their brains over, either. For the most part, in fact, goals consist of either tiptoeing around a nearby police officer, or booting over a sign that’s preventing local wildlife from bathing in the natural beauty of its surroundings. And that, really, is what the game is all about: conservation, and finding niche methods to open newcomers’ eyes to the benefits of growth and prosperity. That, and that the power of one mean harmonica solo can be enough to make a frog leap from its lily pad, weirdly enough.

Sure enough, the game itself plays out like a bread-and-butter platformer, in the case that, to make headway on your objectives, you must locate tools to build bridges, instruments to persuade critters to nudge aside, and, with the power of music, establish connections that’ll allow you to carve even deeper into the grotesque biomes and beyond. That’s where influence comes in—an element that players must build up in order to obtain better equipment, and ultimately become the go-to protégé who has the power to make even the gloomiest of grasslands sparkle and flourish.

Aside from smashing up the odd bit of signage, there are several other tasks to sift through, such as unearthing old friends, rearranging formations, and removing clutter from the once-idyllic landscape. Again, none of these objectives are particularly tough, though newcomers to the genre are likely to find a couple of them a little harder than others — especially those that involve stealthily maneuvering through dimly lit locations and avoiding detection.

Music Is Power

As the title implies, the power of music also plays a large role in the overall journey. With the help of a trusty harmonica, drum, or flute, you must discover a fairly wide array of melodies and variations of musical styles in order to gel with the local wildlife and, well, return the peaceful harmony to the boroughs of the region around you. These instruments, too, possess magical qualities that can, and often will grant you passage to an alternate portion of the map, whether it’s by enchanting a fluffy animal or removing the veil from a nearby bridge. Thanks to the game making the bulk of these mechanics as easily accessible as possible, at no point are you ever left to aimlessly explore and rewind the clock; the game is mostly linear, and asks only that you locate the correct pathway and roll with the molehills, so to speak.

What makes Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley all the more compelling is its inclusion of music by Sigur Rós, whose harmonies and atmospheric effects speak volumes for themselves. Sure enough, the world of Tove Jansson and the whimsical sounds of the acclaimed composer go hand-in-hand, thus creating a well-balanced mix of serotonin fuel that can make even the most hot-headed eco injectors flutter and wane. That, to me, is arguably the best part of the game: the combination of good music and a colorful adaptation of a text that boasts a beating heart, both on paper and in the pages of a virtual world.

Verdict

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never made the effort to go out and unravel the tapestry of literature that fleshes out Tove Jansson’s fruitful imagination. Truth is, you’re one of the lucky ones, as witnessing such things as a newcomer is arguably the best way to experience it, whereas if you’re something of an avid reader and have a wealth of information already stowed away beneath your belt, a lot of the journey won’t be quite nearly as mesmerizing. In ways, I almost wish I hadn’t made the deep dive into Google’s archive before porting my knowledge over to the roots of Melody of Moominvalley, as it would’ve been an even greater surprise to unravel and thread together. Either way, I can’t complain, as the four or five hours I did clock were perhaps some of the best I could’ve asked for.

To cut a long story short, yes, you should consider picking up a copy of Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, if not for its cozy atmosphere and band of original characters that flesh out its margins, then for the heartfelt message that it casts upon those who are willing to read between the lines. With that said, just don’t expect to plunge into something that’ll take several day sittings to churn out, as it is, in all honesty, a journey that can be swept under the rug in a single session. Does that make it unworthy of your attention? Not at all; if anything, it makes it all the more memorable. And if I had to say anything about Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, then I would say that it was certainly memorable.