Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. 100
    This game oozes perfection in its simplicity. Its ideas are well-executed and spot-on, the dialogue is witty and clever, and though it's often tricky, you're always willing to hop in for another blast.
  2. Mar 10, 2015
    90
    An excellent puzzle platformer that introduces new ideas at a breakneck pace. [Issue#121, p.85]
  3. Feb 25, 2015
    90
    With bright. beautiful graphics and fantastic level design, Kalimba is a near-perfect action/puzzler that's always challenging in the most rewarding way. It's rare to see a game so difficult be so encouraging, and the developers should be applauded for making this kind of hardcore skill experience accessible to everyone.
  4. Games Master UK
    Feb 22, 2015
    90
    With excellent ideas throughout, Kalimba is a brilliant way to reinvigorate XO's indie credentials. [Mar 2015, p.75]
  5. Feb 16, 2015
    90
    With completion of each level winning you a new totem for your pole, undecorated logs for a low score and gold totems for maximum, there’s a quantifiable excuse to go back and learn the perfect pathways through each. In this case, however, the journey itself is its own reward.
  6. Jan 30, 2015
    90
    Kalimba is a solid puzzle platformer that is trickier than expected.
  7. Jan 15, 2015
    90
    I only wish Kalimba were a bit longer, because its inventive puzzles, charming art style, and tight controls equal a winning combination for this quaint puzzle-platformer.
  8. Dec 31, 2014
    90
    It's a surprisingly fresh experience that can be incredibly rewarding and despite it being seemingly impossible at times, players who love a sizable - but fair - challenge will find a lot to love within Kalimba.
  9. Dec 17, 2014
    90
    Kalimba is a fantastic, colourful little game with a unique mechanic, but it's no pushover.
  10. Dec 29, 2014
    88
    Kalimba is easy to recommend to gamers who like a good platforming challenge. The difficulty level is probably too high for the average gamer, though, and even those with a good degree of platforming skills will require a good degree of patience to go along with those skills.
  11. Jan 6, 2015
    85
    Kalimba is an awesome 2D-platformer, with many challenging and hard puzzles and a colorful, trixelated world.
  12. Jan 7, 2015
    83
    Kalimba is hard, and it never tries to hide that fact. But I'm thinking that if even someone like me can enjoy the game, then it'll be even more enjoyable if you're made of even sterner (and, admittedly, more patient) stuff.
  13. Jan 29, 2015
    80
    It was truly one of the perfectly executed platformers that I have played thus far.
  14. Jan 12, 2015
    80
    A notable puzzle platformer, one that you could easily overlook, but that really deserves praise. It's all about good level design, and although it can get frustrating at times, it can also offer some quality entertainment.
  15. Jan 11, 2015
    80
    If you’re looking for a difficult yet incredibly fun platformer, look no further.
  16. Jan 4, 2015
    80
    Kalimba brings something new to puzzle platformer genre and that's something that matters. It's not perfect, but it's colorful, funny, cheap and full of contents.
  17. 80
    While it could have used a handful of additional levels, Kalimba's challenging gameplay, humorous story and colorful visuals help it stand out from the crowd.
  18. 80
    As great as it is as a single player outing, Kalimba really shines when you can bring a partner along for the ride.
  19. Dec 19, 2014
    80
    Kalimba is an enjoyable solo romp, but to get the full experience you're going to need a local co-op partner; trust me, the juice is worth the squeeze if a couch friend is hard to come by.
  20. Dec 17, 2014
    80
    A bold and smart Xbox One indie platformer, Kalimba takes a simple and clever idea, transforming it into something that's equal parts tough and rewarding.
  21. Dec 17, 2014
    80
    Fun and charming with some nice extras to boot, Kalimba kick-starts Xbox One’s indie wave with a bang.
  22. Jan 9, 2015
    75
    Another 2D adventure game that combines platforming elements with dozens of puzzles. A bit confusing at times, but fun enough to be enjoyed for most of gamers.
  23. Dec 17, 2014
    74
    Save for a few puzzles that lose luster due to unintuitive and touchy physics, I mostly enjoyed testing both my platforming timing and my problem-solving skills with Kalimba's brain-busters.
  24. Edge Magazine
    Mar 10, 2015
    70
    There's less motivation to persevere in erecting a monument to your skill when there's no one around to see it. [March 2015, p.112]
  25. Jan 6, 2015
    70
    The beauty of Kalimba is in its high replay value, even more so than the gratification of solving its platforming puzzles.
  26. Dec 31, 2014
    60
    Push through its uneven beginning and you'll be rewarded with clever level layouts that stretch a solid mechanical framework to its limits. Getting to that point may be more frustrating than you'd like, though, thanks to its sharp difficulty curve.
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 35
  2. Negative: 6 out of 35
  1. Dec 21, 2014
    9
    What a nice little surprise to finish the year in beauty.

    I was not expecting to buy another game until next year but after watching the
    What a nice little surprise to finish the year in beauty.

    I was not expecting to buy another game until next year but after watching the trailer for this one, I got curious and boy am I glad I got curious about this one.

    It's a puzzle-plateformer with a heavy emphasis on both timing and desynchronization. You always play two characters at the same time and you need to time everything that you are doing in order for both of them to survive the level. However, their paths are not always symmetrical, so this is when your desynchronization skills will come in handy.

    The artstyle is gorgeous, and the overall presentation of the game is charming. The music and the voice-acting are also incredible. Hoebear the Metabear is hilarious, nagging you about getting achievements and the principle of playing games just for fun instead of for the score. It's a beautiful game, there is no other way to say it.

    It's one of those games where it's easy to play, but very hard to master and unlock everything.

    Pros:
    - Incredibly addictive gameplay
    - Awesome soundtrack
    - Hilarious voice-acting
    - Challenging and rewarding

    Cons:
    - Sometimes TOO challenging
    - No quick reset button (trust me, you'll want that, and it's a shame that it's nowhere to be found)
    Full Review »
  2. Jan 30, 2015
    9
    Kalimba is awesome. Great concept and execution. Very unique and fun with a great sense of humor. If you like indie platform puzzlers thisKalimba is awesome. Great concept and execution. Very unique and fun with a great sense of humor. If you like indie platform puzzlers this is a great little game. Had a blast playing it and good replay value, especially if you're trying to get achievements. 2p mode is a nice feature too, and its one of the few games I could actually play with my wife. Full Review »
  3. Oct 3, 2018
    10
    Joguinho viciante para jogos com os amigos, puzzles intrigantes e desafiadores.