Game: Guayota
Genre: Puzzle, Adventure
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam (Windows))
Developer | Publisher: Team Delusion | Dear Villagers
Age Rating: EU 3+ | US Everyone
Price: US $14.99 | UK £13.49 | EU €14,99
Release Date: August 13th 2024
A review code was provided, with many thanks to JF Games
Guayota: A Clever Puzzler in the Abyss
Guayota is a unique puzzle adventure game that invites players to explore a mysterious island, solve challenging puzzles, and uncover hidden secrets. If you enjoy puzzle games that don’t hold your hand and allow you to figure things out for yourself, Guayota may be worth checking out.
Exploring Mythology in a New Light
The game centres around a group of explorers sent by the Spanish Kingdom to find the legendary Saint Brendan’s Island. However, things quickly go awry, and you become separated from your companions. As the lone explorer, it’s up to you to navigate the island, reunite with your comrades, and discover the island’s true secrets.
Guayota is inspired by the legends of the Canary Islands and Guanche mythology, a relatively obscure area of mythology that may be unfamiliar to many players. Despite my initial lack of knowledge about this mythology, the game does a commendable job of drawing players into its mysterious world. The island is dotted with art pieces depicted on stone, revealed at the end of each puzzle, which adds depth to the story.
Conversations with NPCs also provide insight into the island’s lore, although these dialogues can sometimes feel a bit lengthy and difficult to digest fully. While the story may not be the game’s strongest aspect, the unique setting and mythology keep the narrative engaging as you progress.
The Joy of Figuring Things Out
The gameplay in Guayota involves exploring various locations on the island and tackling a series of puzzle trials. The primary goal of each level is to locate a stone slab, which adds another layer to the island’s mystery. To reach these slabs, you’ll need to solve a series of puzzles and, in some cases, avoid deadly traps. While the game provides basic prompts for controls and puzzle mechanics, such as picking up items and dashing, it doesn’t hold your hand beyond that. You’re left to figure things out on your own, which can be both challenging and rewarding.
Early in the game, you’ll encounter doors or paths blocked by symbols that resemble sun icons. Nearby, you might notice monoliths that light up when you approach them with your torch. By placing glowing crystals between these monoliths, you can unlock the blocked doors. This is a simple puzzle, but as the game progresses, the puzzles become more complex, introducing additional crystal types, hazards, and opportunities for brain-scratching. The sense of accomplishment that comes from figuring out these puzzles on your own is incredibly fulfilling.
Navigating Two Puzzle Realms
One of the game’s more unique features is the dual-realm puzzle system. If your torch is extinguished by a hazard, your character is not killed; instead, you’re transported to an alternate version of the level. This alternate realm has the same layout but different puzzles and no hazards.
While this may sound like an easier experience, I found the alternate realm more mentally taxing. The puzzles here are more focused on finding a way out, and the absence of hazards allows for a more meditative, zen-like experience. To me, this is when the game is at its best.
However, while the concept of two puzzle realms is intriguing, it does have its drawbacks. The hazards in the regular realm can be frustratingly difficult to detect, especially in dark environments. Although the game allows you to pan the camera for a better view, I often found this feature less helpful than I would have liked.
There were numerous “gotcha” moments where I’d step on a pressure pad or get caught off guard by an unexpected hazard. The game demands quick reflexes, which might be challenging for older gamers or those who prefer a more relaxed pace. I frequently found myself transported to the alternate realm without having a chance to assess the situation in the regular realm. While you can return to the regular realm after completing the alternate puzzles, I didn’t enjoy this process nearly as much. It would have been nice to see the regular realm’s hazards toned down a bit or to have a checkpoint system implemented to alleviate some of the frustration.
A Light in the Dark
Graphically, Guayota is visually stunning. The main characters reminded me of evolved versions of the Dark Mages from the Final Fantasy series, and the levels are dark and moody, creating a mysterious ambience akin to exploring a cave with only a torch for illumination. However, the game can feel a bit too dark in places, making it difficult to spot important points of interest without using a button to highlight them. This requires you to tread carefully and take your time, which might not appeal to everyone.
The alternate realm presents a stark contrast with much brighter visuals, making it easier to navigate and providing a unique counterpoint to the darker puzzles of the regular realm. Performance-wise, I found that Guayota ran smoothly in both TV and handheld modes on the Nintendo Switch, which is always a plus.
Conclusion: Light Up Your Game Night
Overall, I like Guayota. The game takes a different approach by drawing on lesser-known mythology and offering an experimental style of puzzle-solving that is incredibly rewarding, especially when you have the space to take in the level and figure things out on your own. What didn’t click for me was the aggressive use of traps and hazards, which detracted from the overall experience. Additionally, while the dark cave settings contribute to the game’s atmosphere, they can sometimes make it difficult to see what you’re doing.
Despite these issues, Guayota is well worth trying if you’re open to something new and different and enjoy puzzle games. It may not be perfect, but its unique approach and rewarding gameplay make it a standout in the puzzle genre. A free demo is available on the Nintendo eShop if you want to try it out.
Final Verdict: I Like It
Do you like our content? Support LadiesGamers on Patreon!
Check out our Tiers and Benefits and join us.