Roia review – “Make way for water”

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  • Shape the mountains to guide the water
  • Lead water to help the land and shape the land to help others
  • Take in the tranquil ambience and activity

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience under my belt, I’ve played my fair share of complex, action-packed games that demand my full attention and quick reflexes. But sometimes, it’s the simple, relaxing puzzles that offer a refreshing change of pace. Roia by Emoak is one such game that instantly caught my eye (or rather, ear, as the soothing background music plays in my mind).

Water holds an intriguing duality – it can be tranquil and gentle one moment, yet powerful and forceful the next. The way we perceive this element is shaped by our experiences. In Roia by Emoak, developers invite us to witness water’s transformative capabilities in a compressed time frame. This is a 3D casual mobile puzzle game where players assume the role of someone with the ability to manipulate terrain. As water cascades, use your power to guide it from one end to another. Gain insight into the repercussions of these aquatic changes as you progress through the gameplay.

What is Roia?

On leisurely days with a calm ambiance, such as during rainy weather or when you have some spare time, you can engage with laid-back puzzles and God sims like Roia. These games don’t aim to immerse you in intricate stories; instead, they set up scenarios for your enjoyment.

Roia your Boat

An indication of top-notch graphics in a game lies in how realistically it portrays water, a ubiquitous element found in various game worlds. Although Roia’s water isn’t the most intricately designed, its fluid motion captivates and invites exploration. Initially, you may only focus on observing its flow; however, your interest soon shifts to pushing the boundaries of how it behaves and potentially enhancing its presentation with more innovative techniques. Metaphorically, the game becomes a sandbox, and the water serves as a companion, eager to interact and contribute to the world you’ve constructed for it.

This is the charm and power of such a game. It doesn’t weigh you down with a ton of mechanics or resources to keep track of – it just gives you the water and the power to shape the land. You can increase or decrease the ground’s elevation at specific points or across a wider area. As you get further down the mountain, more elements will be added like animals, athletes, farmers, and more who are all depending on your water flow. It’s satisfying in a relaxing way when you’re able to water-bend through all your goals and lead smoothly into the next chapter. There’s a whole serene vibe that is maintained from start to finish, the whole game being prime loop material for a Lofi playlist.
The additional elements add a bit more strategy and dynamics, but they’re mainly there as a spectacle. Looking at it like that and bringing in its calming nature, you can view it as a therapeutic experience. There’s nothing wrong with that, though it runs the risk of reducing its accessibility and appeal – which is a shame since it’s quite lovely in multiple ways.

Roia is a dream

In simpler terms, Roia is a leisurely puzzle game where you redirect water streams through the mountains by sculpting them. It’s a low-pressure, calming experience that engages and delights as you facilitate the water’s journey for the land and its inhabitants. Rather than a mentally taxing challenge, think of Roia as an enjoyable activity – like peacefully rowing a boat.

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2024-07-16 16:18