Unravel Review

Credits: Image Source - Coldwood Interactive/EA

"Unravel" is a platform-puzzle game developed by Coldwood Interactive and published by Electronic Arts. In the game, you play as Yarny, a small creature made of red yarn who explores the world using its own body. In this review, I'll cover the main aspects of the game.

• Also Read: Unravel Two - Is it worth it?

What is the story behind the protagonist's journey?

In Unravel, the story revolves around Yarny, a small creature made of yarn who embarks on an emotional journey to restore a family’s lost memories. Each level represents a significant memory, exploring themes of love, longing, and connection.

What are the main gameplay mechanics and how do they work?

The main mechanics revolve around using the yarn that makes up Yarny. It can be used in various ways to solve puzzles and navigate environments. 

Yarny can throw the yarn to latch onto objects and swing across platforms, create bridges to cross gaps, or pull items to clear paths. Additionally, the yarn is limited, so players must be strategic to avoid unraveling Yarny completely.

How do the graphics and art direction contribute to immersion?

The graphics and art direction create the game’s immersive atmosphere. Using a highly detailed and realistic visual style, the environments evoke natural landscapes like forests, rivers, and gardens, capturing a sense of tranquility and nostalgia.

Is the difficulty level accessible for all types of players?

Yes, the game has an accessible difficulty level, making it suitable for a wide range of players. The puzzles and challenges are mostly physics and logic-based, intuitive enough for beginners but still challenging for experienced players.

Credits: Image Source - Coldwood Interactive/EA

Are there secrets or collectibles scattered throughout the levels?

Yes. The map has various secrets and collectibles hidden throughout the levels, encouraging careful exploration of the environments.

In each level, players can find hidden buttons, which are the game’s main collectibles. These items are often located in hard-to-reach areas or require solving small additional puzzles to obtain.

How long does it take to complete the main story?

According to HowLongToBeat, it takes about 6 hours to complete the main campaign and 8 hours with the side missions. 

In my gameplay, it took me about 14 hours to complete the game, considering that I racked my brains over some of the puzzles.

Is there any replayability element for those who have completed the game?

After finishing the campaign, players can revisit each level to collect all the hidden buttons, providing an additional challenge and offering a new perspective on the puzzles and navigation.

Does the level design remain varied, or is there a repetition of environments and challenges?

The level design in Unravel remains varied, offering a diversity of environments and challenges throughout the game. 

Each level features unique settings, from forests and open fields to urban areas and interiors, each with its own aesthetic and specific mechanics.

Credits: Image Source - Coldwood Interactive/EA

Who is the game recommended for, considering its style and narrative?

The game is recommended for a wide variety of players, focusing on those who appreciate a good story. Here’s a list of players who might enjoy the game:

• Story Lovers: Those who value an emotional and engaging narrative will find Yarny’s journey a touching experience, filled with themes of memory, family, and connection.

• Casual Players: With its accessible gameplay and intuitive puzzles, the game is great for casual players looking for a relaxing and not overly challenging experience.

• Platform Game Fans: Enthusiasts of the platformer genre will appreciate the creative mechanics and engaging physics that set Unravel apart from other titles.

Is there support for updates, DLCs, or other post-launch content?

No, since its release, the game has not received any significant updates, DLCs, or post-launch content, making it a complete and standalone experience.

Does the game feature any cooperative elements, or is it exclusively single-player?

The game is single-player only, focusing on immersing the player in Yarny’s journey and being designed for a solo experience.

Conclusion.

"Unravel" is a well-developed story-driven game that explores environments and their interactions masterfully. 

From the highly detailed settings to the simplicity of movement mechanics, the game delivers a very relaxing puzzle experience. 

For those who enjoy a laid-back gaming session, possibly while listening to music or multitasking, Unravel is the right choice.

If you’re interested in watching any part of the game, I’ll leave my complete YouTube playlist here.