Koira, a Belgian game releasing in 2025 was one of Gamescom’s surprises this year. Don’t Nod will publish this little gem and I got my first look today. Although it’s still a bit early in development, it certainly looks like a game worth putting on your wishlist.
It all starts with emotion
Koira is an interesting game as it starts from emotion and forms gameplay mechanics around it instead of the other way around. Central are Koira and her little dog who will have to solve small puzzles in order to advance. Since the game wants to focus on the emotions and experience of playing instead of difficult mechanics, it’s a game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Don’t expect a hard game but expect a dense little game filled with different gameplay mechanics, showcasing certain emotions throughout the adventure. Since it has to be enjoyable for everyone, there’s no text or speech in the game, you communicate without words and yet you understand each other. The developers want to create something that comes close to games like Journey or Flower, which I think they will certainly manage to achieve.
Let the art speak
As you can see on the screenshots, Koira has a gorgeous style which also serves a purpose instead of just being pretty to look at. The art tells the true story of the game and helps you understand the emotions better. When Koira was able to rescue the little dog, the dark world lights up and becomes more beautiful. The final product will experiment with the style even more to really deliver something special and unique. Of course, a busy convention isn’t the best place to showcase such delicate gameplay elements but I’m convinced the team is creating something that will rise above the normal standards of gaming.
Early conclusion:
Koira is on track to deliver an emotional and unique experience but still needs some time in development. I love the direction this game is going and will keep an eye out for updates in the future.
