Bramble: The Mountain King

If you're not put off by heavy themes, I couldn't suggest this title more; Bramble: The Mountain King is one of the few titles of this genre I wish I had played sooner.

Bramble's action elements might prove challenging for those used to relaxed adventuring gameplay, but with its main focus on platforming, stealth and boss battles, this stunning and terrifying survival horror game artfully weaves Scandinavian folklore into its dark but gripping narrative.

“Play this game” if you’ve ever wanted a puzzle platformer, Limbo-esque horror game that drags you through a swamp of grim-dark Nordic fairy tales by your ears. It’s an excellent, labor-of-love game filled with little details that make the world feel very much alive - although no one wants that. I’d never leave my house again.

Bramble: The Mountain King is as gorgeous as it is horrifying, with surprises lurking around every corner. The game excels at building tension and suspense while maintaining visual splendor throughout. Although the game isn’t particularly long–I rolled credits around 7 hours–it is an experience that horror game enthusiasts will not want to miss.

Bramble: The Mountain King finds ways to excel throughout the ~6-hour adventure. With superb audio design and some really satisfying and engaging storytelling centred around Nordic folklore, the game showcases glimpses of greatness and refuses to hold back from depicting the horrifying and grim world around you. It’s a shame that every new enemy’s introduction and build-up is undermined by the inevitable average boss fight. It’s true there’s obvious room for improvement with Bramble’s gameplay, though the overall experience is certainly still worth uncovering, especially as the game goes from strength to strength with some seriously impactful core moments.

A wonderful story drawing from Germanic and northern folklore. It blends an innocent fairy-tale with actual horror and some completely bizarre sights. The game is short, but it manages to cram in a lot of ideas and make it all into a feast for the eyes. If only the gameplay itself reached the same lofty standards…

Bramble: The Mountain King is worth a single playthrough, but the lack of any real depth to its gameplay makes it a difficult recommendation to those that might not be drawn in by its gorgeous visuals and atmosphere.