Game: Himno
Genre: Adventure Platformer
System: Nintendo Switch (also on Steam)
Developer|Publisher: Ratalaika
Age Rating: UK 3+| US E
Price: £4.99|€4,99 |$4.99
Release Date: 6th September 2019
What is Himno
Himno is a non-violent platform game that mixes exploration with relaxation. In the game, you take control of Himno (at least that’s what I surmise). Each play session requires the player to explore auto-generated levels called districts which means each playthrough is different from the last. The game includes typical platforming mechanics such as basic jumping, dashing, lifts, wall sliding and wall-jumping. To finish exploring a district, Himno must find the entrance to the next. Â
Let there be light
Each district is engulfed in darkness. The only sources of light available are Himno’s sword, lit torches, activated wisps and collected gemstones. If the games default lighting causes a problem, brightness settings can be changed within the games settings menu.
Scattered throughout each area are several types of gems. Yellow gems increase your XP, and green gems activate checkpoints. Once obtained, XP can be used to unlock Wisps placed throughout each stage. Each wisp temporarily enhances your characters abilities.
More about Wisps
Sadly, the game doesn’t detail how each wisp enhances your character. After some experimentation and online help, I’ve begun to figure out how several wisps boost your character’s capabilities.
A level two wisp enhances the speed, height, and length of Himno’s jumps. Then there’s the level three wisp, this enables Himno to double dash. A level seven wisp collects available on-screen gems while A level 11 wisp allows Himno to stick to the side of walls.Â
If you should suffer from an untimely demise, you’ll visit the Wisp Garden, which allows you to choose and equip a wisp from your last play session.Â
No Battling Here
Himno doesn’t include a single enemy to fight against. Himno’s sword merely glows and remains in its sheath throughout each play session. This allows players to relax while they play and enjoy the Wisps and Gem Stones that float around Himno.Â
At times, I’ve enjoyed sitting, gazing at numerous wisps as they float around the screen. If you should become stuck at any point, Himno can teleport back to an activated checkpoint. If near the beginning of a stage, players can generate a new district by re-entering the entrance.Â
Not Great in Portable Mode
Himno is best played on a TV. I’ve tried playing the game in portable mode, but it doesn’t suite a 6″ screen. Everything is so small it’s unplayable (at least for me).
This is a shame because handheld could have been a real selling point, considering the same game is available on Steam for free. I hope an update to improve the handheld mode will be released soon.
Overall Â
Himno is a great little game. I’ve enjoyed my time with it immensely but better documentation/in-game instructions, and a better handheld mode would help it appeal to a wider audience. Players shouldn’t have to read online guides to learn game-play basics. With that said, if you haven’t got access to Steam, then I wholeheartedly recommend giving Himno on Switch a try.
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