Game news FF 7 Rebirth and this license adapted into a video game which brings in millions of euros have more in common than you might think. You have to try it!
In terms of form, FF7 Rebirth and Mumrik: The Melody of Moomin Valley have nothing to do a priori. And yet, fundamentally, they are both talking about a similar subject. But that’s not all ! Here are three reasons to try this game which has 98% positive reviews on Steam.
Ecoterrorism for young people
When you take a quick look at Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Mumrik: Song of Moomin Valley, it’s hard to find anything in common. We are neither on the same type of production, nor on the same type of game, nor on the same lifespan, nor on the same visual style… And yet, if we look at history, there is a common point between the two games, and not the least. FF7 is not just the story of Cloud’s adventures. They take place in a hyper-industrialized world, in which a mega-corporation shamelessly exploits the planet, at the risk of destroying it. This is why the AVALANCHE group, within which Cloud will find himself despite himself, campaigns in a more or less muscular manner against Shinra. They are considered as “eco-terrorists”. And this is also how the authorities of Moomin Valley would most certainly describe the impetuous Mumrik (or Snufkin for English speakers). In the Steam reviews for Mumrik: The Song of Moomin Valley, we find many players who have fun saying that the man is a horrible criminal who violates the law to save nature. Add to this the fact that the man is of a rather nomadic nature and against all forms of property and there is reason, for some, to point the finger at him as a terrible extremist… And yet, Mumrik is far from carrying out actions as violent as AVALANCHE.
In this game, you play as the world-famous criminal and eco-terrorist, Mumrik
Sabokatti
In Mumrik: The Melody of the Valley of the Moomins, the goal is simple: restore nature to its former splendor… by tearing up paving stone after paving stone, fence after fence and all that under the noses and beards of the police officers who patrol the area . In practice, it’s very simple and cute. All you have to do is wait for a law enforcement representative to turn his back to tear down a small sign. The message is clear: less infrastructure, more nature. When we compare the actions of AVALANCHE, this is not really revolutionary in the end, and that’s normal! Mumrik: The Melody of Moomin Valley is an adventure for “all ages.” If it openly carries an ecological message, it is an ecology for all, a first overview of the subject. Everything is coupled with unfailing kindness which makes this little adventure a natural and childlike haven of peace. We forget the illegality, we forget the awfulness and we let ourselves be carried away. Mumrik: The Melody of the Valley of the Moomins is clearly a cute fable coupled with an environmentalist story that will speak to young and old alike. And this is not surprising, since Tove Jansson was already covering these subjects in 1945, the year of the publication of the first work in the Moomin universe, Moomin and the Great Flood.
Moomins nostalgia
And yes, the world of Moomins is almost 80 years old. With all these years, the license has had time to forge an entire empire. The Moomins are books, series, games, derivative products… As a result, each year the franchise generates millions of euros (8 in 2013 for example). If this would certainly not have pleased its creator – whose story is at least as interesting as that of the Moomins -, it still says a lot about the aura that this license has. And yet you may have never heard of it. But be aware that many young children have spent hours in the company of these friendly trolls, whether through the stories told in the evening or the Japanese animated adaptation released in the 90s. And inevitably, Mumrik: The Melody of the Valley of the Moomins smells of nostalgia for all these old children. For all of them, the game clearly has the air of a particularly satisfying Proust madeleine.
Especially since the developers at Hyper Games have paid a beautiful tribute to the initial work. An hour is enough to realize that they have succeeded in brilliantly transcribing the spirit of the Moomins. It is thus possible to find the different characters of this rich universe (more than 50), with their personalities and their particularities which also make them endearing – or annoying depending on the case. Of course, it is also an opportunity to revisit unmissable landscapes that will take you back to your childhood with incredible speed. There are also numerous winks. And then there is this tone, both light and serious, childish and full of meaning, which made the license successful. In short, this game is, without much surprise, a love letter to the world of Tove Jansson, and a damn successful one! As a result, the game will suit both children and slightly older nostalgic fans… but not only that.
You don’t need to know the world of Moomins to understand what’s happening in Mumrik: The Song of Moomin Valley. The game is therefore clearly not reserved for fans. Any fan of cozy adventure games will find what they are looking for here. It’s coherent, interesting, endearing and rich in side quests. Beyond the Moomins, the title is above all a relaxing experience which focuses on simple but effective gameplay, cute graphics and captivating music. And that’s the third reason to fall for it!
A work of art in its own right
Mumrik: The Melody of Moomin Valley is an artistic work in its own right. This is primarily due to its graphics. The title clearly has the air of a children’s album with its soothing colors and its very particular graphic style. There is even a small effect which gives the impression that the characters have been torn from a Tove Jansson album to move and live their lives on large paintings. What’s more, certain shots are particularly well worked and we could spend long minutes contemplating them, as we would facing a natural landscape offered to us once we arrive at the top of a cliff. But Mumrik: The Sound of Moomin Valley does not only offer particularly successful visuals.
You may know, but Mumrik loves writing poetry and playing the harmonica. This last point is particularly important for what follows. Mumrik: The melody of Moomin Valley is indeed a musical experience. Thanks to his instruments, our little guy will be able to solve puzzles and move forward, as he finds his inspiration thanks to the beauty of nature. And then obviously, the Hyper Games teams had to offer a soundtrack that matched its talent. Here comes a weighty argument: the Icelandic progressive rock group Sigur Rós put its paw so particularly on the game’s soundtrack. Enough to accentuate the Nordic DNA of this new video game, while offering a captivating experience from A to Z. From the first minutes, from the first notes, we understand that Mumrik: The Melody of the Valley of the Moomins offers a real journey artistic to which many people seem sensitive. If, from what I have seen so far, I am completely won over, I am obviously not the only one. The title has a Metacritic score of 80 at the time of writing, with 98% positive reviews on Steam as well. Something that might just tickle your curiosity. And on this subject, let me conclude with a tip from the author straight from one of her books:
Ultimately, there is only one thing to remember: never tire, never become indifferent, never lose your precious curiosity – because that is when you allow yourself to die. It’s that simple.
Fair Play, Tove Jansson
Mumrik: The Sound of Moomin Valley has been available since March 7 on PC and Nintendo Switch.