Unleaving Review

Developer: Orangutan Matter Inc.

Platforms: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S, macOS, Mac operating systems

Genres: Platform game, Puzzle, Adventure game, Adventure

Engine: Unity

Publisher: Orangutan Matter Inc.

Initial release date: February 5, 2024

We usually believe we have more time and often take precious seconds for granted. Putting off a meeting with a friend or family member; scheduling that long-awaited vacation; or repairing that damaged shelf on your bookshelf. Sometimes life slips you by until it’s too late and you realize that all the things you wanted to do never happened because you squandered the opportunity. Unleaving is about the fragility of life – of time – and how, as you see the seasons change or the years add up to your tally of existence, you fail to appreciate the genuine value of life or living.

Art is subjective, both in meaning and appeal, yet it is always beautiful. It can be difficult to understand depending on your preferences, but there is always great emotion to be discovered in a painting, whether it’s Van Gogh’s ‘Old Man in Sorrow’ or one of Bob Ross’ cheerful little accidents. From beginning to end, Unleaving is breathtaking. Stunning works of art that vary and remain static, shifting with elegance and purpose as you progress through the various levels, continuously amazed by the brushwork and ingenuity.

There are rarely words spread around the screen and no speech. You’re expected to create your own meanings based on what you’re witnessing, and that’s part of the appeal. When writing reviews, I rarely use the word masterpiece, but the art style surely qualifies. I’ve never seen a game with as stunning design as this one, and I found myself stopping to admire the effort and emotion that went into these hand-painted environments. It may not appeal to everyone, but it’s impossible not to love how orangutan matter has created such a beautiful game.

The puzzles in Unleaving bring to life the ideas hidden inside the story, which are all about time, whether it’s timing a jump or pulling a lever. Precision in your selections is critical to your success, and it can be difficult to get right at times. One of the problems took me a while to figure out when I needed to jump since I kept plummeting to my death. Let’s just say I don’t want to go back to that dilapidated Ferris wheel anytime soon. Still, there’s a lot of variety in how these puzzles are constructed, and they’re difficult enough to keep you striving to succeed.

Mirroring the main character, where you jump and they jump underneath you; attempting to destroy a giant mirror with the help of a black bird; and using electricity to move platforms and elevators. There are many of ideas in Unleaving that work well as long as the timing is correct, although the window is sometimes narrower than you’d like. It isn’t a tremendously long game, but the riddles and philosophical aspect keep it from overstaying its welcome or frustrating you to the point where you want to give up. While it draws inspiration from games such as Limbo, the visuals are among the greatest I’ve ever seen.

Unleaving is a poignant story about living life to the fullest and appreciating it as much as you can. Others may interpret it in a different way, which is part of its charm. If you die, you’re immediately reloaded into the action, eliminating the irritation of long loading periods, and it won’t be long before you figure out what to do next. It’s not as complicated as Braid, but with the same range of puzzle designs, you can’t help but be amazed. Even though it’s on Xbox, there’s no reason you shouldn’t give it a shot. You will not be disappointed.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 82%

Controls: 80%

Aesthetics: 88%

Content: 83%

Accessibility: 78%

Value: 81%

Overall: 82%

A POIGNANT JOURNEY INTO MEMORY AND MYSTERY!

Summary:

“Unleaving” transports players on an emotional and thought-provoking journey through themes of memory, grief, and self-discovery set in a stunningly designed universe. The gameplay blends exploration and puzzle-solving with an emphasis on introspective narrative, allowing players to piece together a story that is both intriguing and moving. The controls are fairly seamless, however several puzzle mechanisms could be more streamlined. Visually, “Unleaving” stands out with its rich, atmospheric art style, which compliments the story’s profundity. This is a game for individuals who want a meaningful, engaging experience that lasts long after the credits roll.