Game: Ahro
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows)
Developer|Publisher: Oeh Interactive | Nakana.io
Age Rating: EU 7+ | US Everyone 10+
Price: US $11.99 | UK £10.79 | EU € 11,99
Release Date: September 27th, 2024
A review code was provided, and many thanks to Oeh Interactive.
Ahro: More Than Meets the Eye
Ahro is a cosy adventure game with light puzzle elements. This is not a game that will immediately capture your eye with its visuals. Its simple, hand-drawn art style, mostly shaded in greens, might initially seem too understated or plain. But if you take the time to pause and look closer, a subtle beauty emerges. The world is rich with ambient details, like birds chirping softly in the background, calling you to stop and reflect, a fitting invitation given that meditation is not only a key part of the gameplay but also the thematic core of the experience.
Finding an Impossible Cure
Developed by Oeh Interactive, Ahro is a deeply personal game, born from creator Joel Vile’s struggle with panic disorder. It’s an exploration not only of mystic landscapes but of the emotional landscape of a person grappling with mental health. Ahro, the character, embarks on a quest to find a miraculous cure after experiencing frequent breakdowns, with his only temporary relief being herbal medicine. The world around him is filled with lore and societal challenges, which form the backdrop to his personal journey. Ahro isn’t a warrior, and this isn’t a quest to save the world, he’s simply trying to keep himself together. It’s a sad, yet ultimately inspiring tale, depending on how you choose to interpret it.
Find Fragments
The 2D side-scrolling gameplay is simple and accessible. Controls are clear, and button prompts appear on-screen when interactions are available. The main objective is to explore each level, searching for fragments of a symbol that will allow you to progress. These fragments are hidden throughout the world, often requiring basic puzzle-solving and thorough exploration. This can be challenging, especially for those who may find the constant need to backtrack tedious. But viewed through the lens of mental health, overcoming these challenges feels like a small but meaningful victory.
Coping with a Breakdown
One of the game’s standout mechanics is the way it visualizes Ahro’s mental breakdowns. As his herb meter slowly drains, Ahro will eventually pause in place, and the art style shifts into a darker, more foreboding tone. The player must then complete a simple mini-game to help Ahro collect his thoughts and continue. While some players might find this stop-start approach to gameplay frustrating, it’s an effective metaphor for the interruptions caused by panic attacks. The slow pace of the game and the frequent pauses might not appeal to everyone, but they serve as a poignant representation of Ahro’s struggles.
Pause to Meditate
Other elements, such as the ability to meditate at certain spots to access a spirit form that can explore the skies, add variety to the gameplay. You’ll also need to collect herbs along the way to keep Ahro’s mental health in check and uncover lore scattered throughout each level. Some of the best lore content, however, is hidden behind a QR code mechanic, which breaks the immersion a bit; I would have preferred this was all included directly in the game.
Despite these minor drawbacks, Ahro succeeds in delivering a relaxing, introspective experience. It’s not a game that will challenge you with fast-paced action, but it demands your patience and attention as you explore its world and uncover its secrets. Some players may find the slow pacing and extensive exploration tedious, but for those who are willing to give it a chance, the game offers a beautiful and thoughtful depiction of mental health struggles.
Conclusion: Face the Darkness
For me, Ahro resonates deeply. Perhaps that’s because of my personal connection to mental health, but I feel the developer accomplished exactly what they set out to do on what seems to be a modest budget. The gameplay won’t be for everyone; some will see it as repetitive and tedious. But if you take a step back, you may see more of the experience. Ahro is a game about facing the darkness head-on and finding a way to move forward, and it’s an experience that, for those willing to embrace its quiet beauty, can be profoundly moving.
Final Verdict: I Like It a Lot
Do you like our content? Support LadiesGamers on Patreon!
Check out our Tiers and Benefits and join us.