RiME is incredible.

Of the many games I’ve experienced, this is one of the most stunning. On the surface, it’s a puzzle platformer with an emphasis on environmental problem-solving. But that fails to explain what RiME actually is.

In truth, this is a wordless story full of symbolism and subtext. It’s an adventure about loss. For me to explain exactly what happens in RiME is to spoil it.

At the start, you play a boy who washes up on shore on an island full of ruins. You see a fox with spirit-like qualities. It wants you to follow it. As you explore the island, you realize there are no people there, but something otherworldly is happening.

When I finished this game, I felt a profound sense of sadness. I’ve often said that video games now have been on the vanguard of unique storytelling, and this is one such example. RiME is probably going to linger with me for a long, long time.

The visuals are amazing and have a unique aesthetic. It starts out as a light and fun but slowly gets darker as the game goes on. The real star of the show, though, is the soundtrack. It is airy and atmospheric, but gets intense at the more dramatic parts. If I could I would by this soundtrack on vinyl – it’s that good.

Now professional video game critics say the puzzles are both too simple and too cryptic. Which befuddles me. That’s like saying something is simultaneously too hard and difficult. They also say RiME lacks substance. Which makes me wonder if they actually finished the game.

On the other hand, Steam shows a 90% positive rate. And I’m inclined to agree with Steam reviews over the folks at IGN and Kotaku.

Now don’t get me wrong, there are a few game mechanics that could be tweaked such as wall jumping. However, if you’re focusing on the nuts and bolts of RiME, you’re losing the forest for the trees. This isn’t about the puzzles, it’s about the journey.

RiME requires a decently modern PC. You need at least a 2,9Ghz Intel i5 CPU / AMD FX6300, 4GB RAM, 1GB VRAM, and 7.7GB space. It was only designed for Windows, but I got it working on Linux via Proton. My Steam Deck struggled with it when it was low on power. Indeed, RiME ate a lot of battery power – although when plugged in, it was okay.

In addition to PC, RiME was also released for PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and Luna.

RiME is an example of a story that can only be told through a video game. If there were actual dialogue or description, it would ruin what is being expressed. It’s the perfect example of the value of “show, don’t tell”.

I’m so glad that I spent time with RiME. I will remember this experience for a long time.