Rime is an adventure game for the PlayStation 4. It takes a minimalistic approach to its storytelling. There's no intelligible dialogue and through the occasional cutscenes, we learn that we are controlling a boy who is stranded on an island after a storm. He wakes up and that's about all the context that we get before you explore. The fragmented memories of the boy eventually start to become coherent and you're able to piece together what actually happened.
The game takes on an unique aesthetic that's striking to the eye. It's colorful and looks great. It combines simple colors with a shaded look. Unfortunately, the framerate is a bit choppy. The PS4 Pro has a higher framerate than the base model but since the framerate is unlocked, it can dip, and it will dip noticeably. You're pretty much left free to roam after the short initial cutscene. There is limited guidance for most of the game apart from a fox guide who will turn up from time to time to point you in the right direction. You basically just run around trying to figure out what you need to do and find. The game has a day/night cycle which is incorporated into some of the puzzles but ultimately doesn't add much to the game.
Puzzle solving is the main gameplay. Most of the puzzles are fairly simple in theory but the hardest part is knowing where the switch or level is to open the door or find the item required for progression. The boy will pull and push blocks, align patterns and uniquely, be able to shout/yell which activates special statues. It gets more elaborate as the game goes on and you often spend a few minutes surveying the room for the first time you get there.
The environments are big and can be confusing at times. The island itself the first time you explore it is big and impressive. You do tend to backtrack, and even though it is via another path, the landmarks are similar and you can be temporarily disorientated. The boy is quite nimble, being able to climb on ledges and grab onto things after jumping. Death will come but there is little penalty since you instantly respawn not far from where you were. This encourages exploration and trial and error and works fine. It is a shame that the game's environments eventually transition to caves and indoor ruins. The game is prettiest with the outdoor environments and it becomes a lot darker in the later sections.
There are no enemies or combat in the first chapter so it's quite relaxing. It has a slow soothing soundtrack which lends well to the chilled and relaxing tone of the game. It does get tenser from the second chapter onwards though. Coupled with the confusing layout and unclear direction, you might find yourself dying more often. As is the trend for games these days, there are a bunch of collectibles scattered around in the environment. Most of them are actually fairly tricky to find, tucked away in some far corner.
One noticeable thing is the initial loading time, and the loading between chapters, is a tad bit long. Once it's loaded though, its fine but you'll just have to contend with the stutters every now and then. There are four chapters in total and it takes around eight hours to finish the game. This is assuming you're playing it blind and are reasonably quick in figuring out the puzzles. The final chapter is where the game hits its emotional high notes and the excellent score comes to the forefront to complement this aspect. The game has a satisfying ending especially with the revelation of its thematic nature of its chapters, which is quite meaningful.
Overall, Rime is a solid game with a beautiful art style. While its platforming and puzzles are nothing new, and it is confusing at times on where to go next, it is an enjoyable ride. The story comes together in its ending and makes the journey meaningful upon reflection. The slow pacing and required patience may not be for everyone but it is a worthwhile experience.
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