Game: Sonority
Genre: Adventure, Puzzle, Music, Indie
System: Nintendo Switch (Also on Steam and GOG (Windows, Linux & Mac))
Developer | Publisher: Hanging Gardens Interactive | Application Systems Heidelberg (ASHGAMES)
Age Rating: US Everyone | EU 7+
Price: US $19.99 | UK £17.99 | EU € 19,99
Release Date: December 21st, 2022
Review code used, with many thanks to ASHGAMES.
Showcased in the Inside the House of Indies Holiday Event (Nintendo of America), Sonority is a musical puzzle adventure. Using the power of music, can you help Esther bring peace to the land and find a cure for her friend?
Will Sonority be Top of the Pops or a B-side flop?
Can You Hear the Music?
When a game has a name like Sonority, it’s fair to ask: “Do I need to know anything about music to play this game?”. The answer is no. Although the game is designed around the musical notes of C, D, E, F and so on, you can also play using numbers and even play with symbols.
There are a few places (opening doors or chests) where you must listen to a tune to replicate it. However, as the lock turns green with the correct note, you can complete it by randomly guessing what it could be.
A Musical Journey
You play as Esther, and you must help her navigate through the land to find the melody that will cure her bear friend, Batama.
At the start of the adventure, Esther finds a panflute and learns the first note, C.
The game gently introduces the mechanics of the puzzles. Basically, you need to play notes in ascending or descending order to control the movement of platforms and bridges. To do this, you add the note to the musical pillars within the puzzle area and then play the tune.
As you arrive at the second gate, you meet a raccoon, a creature who doesn’t like humans. However, unlike most humans, you can understand what he is saying. After a little persuasion he offers to help you on your journey. The adorable eyed rocks will also help you on the journey, opening doors or giving new notes, so make sure you speak to them! As you progress, you find new instruments and learn new notes. By using all the notes and instruments available, you will be able to uncover the truth of what happened.
Puzzling Mayhem
There is definitely a sense of satisfaction in solving the puzzles. The initial ones are easy, and as you progress, you learn that it’s more about how the blocks need to move than what tune needs playing. In some puzzles, the notes are already present, so you need to work with those preset ones. At other times, you can move the pillars to achieve the objective. Occasionally it might be a combination of both.
Worst case scenario: just add random notes and see what moves. I used this technique several times and then the light bulb moment happens and I solved the puzzle.
Mapping the World
The game guides you through the world – generally there is only one path to follow. But like all good games, there are little secret areas, just off the beaten track. With each completed area, the map gains more definition and colour.
Collectables
There are various music elements to discover – a varying number in each location. Some are in plain sight; others are hiding, so make sure you check behind the rocks and bushes.
Insert the music elements into the green panels to learn more about the background of the story and location. You only know how many elements you have collected as you enter or leave an area.
Gameplay
The game explains the controls as you progress, and if you forget, it’s also available in the menu. Playing the notes is slightly tricky to begin with, but soon becomes second nature. Unfortunately, there is no touchscreen functionality.
Although the game doesn’t display a save icon, I quit several times (via the pause menu) and at no point lost any progress.
During the 5 hours of gameplay, I didn’t notice any juddering or issues to spoil my adventure. It would be possible to complete the game quicker, especially if you don’t wander around looking for music elements or struggle with the puzzles. Furthermore, if you are musically minded, there is an area in the game where you can make melodies.
Conclusion
For me, Sonority hit all the right notes. The ingenious mechanics used to solve puzzles, the gradual introduction of more complex melodies and the delightful graphics and storyline were a joy to experience.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up 