I thought I knew what I’d get out of a game like Woodo. An easy-going and largely carefree approach to minor puzzles and satisfying puzzle-solving. And sure, I’d say the game is that, but it’s also a whole lot more.
Like some others in the now-dubbed “cozy” genre, this title doesn’t push you with extreme pressure, like a timer or impending doom. But where I think Woodo exceeded my expectations was in how it delivered its story and characters. There’s something about a charmingly written and narrated storybook that’s really captured me lately. Over the last few years, I’ve run into this experience a few times, and I’ve come away wowed. I’m glad I can now add this game to that growing list.
Woodo is Crafted Piece-by-Piece
There’s something about putting the perfect puzzle piece in the perfect spot or clicking a block into place when building something like LEGO. Woodo understands these small moments of joy and how to make a digital experience feel tactile. It’s an impressive first outing from developer Tiny Monnks Tales.
The game has a simple premise and set of mechanics, with a whimsical tale with real-world elements and themes. When I placed my first piece in the opening scene, I was immediately charmed. Each mini diorama sits on its own turnstile with blank, uncoloured shapes and items looking to be filled. On the right, there will be a long list of those same items that need to be “clipped” in. When you do, colours fill the scene, music plays, and the story unfolds as our main character Foxy struggles with a summer that has taken her well out of her comfort zone.
Foxy is a teenager who’s travelled to a remote village of ducks, geese, gardens, and a new and quirky small-town frog named Ben. As you place each puzzle-like piece of wood in each scene, Foxy chimes in with her perspective on that scene. While the scenario itself may not be exactly what everyone has experienced, her world of social media and cell phone reliance is all too relatable nowadays.
As the story progresses, it’s revealed that Ben is a distant relative, and his simpler way of life becomes more and more appealing to our main storyteller. I really loved the way this played out. And although Woodo’s look and feel definitely stand out, the writing and story are what truly sold me.
Woodo isn’t all about presentation, but it carries the load and likely will for most players. Each wooden item is finely detailed, down to the grain and painted colour. The hundreds of pieces you’ll be placing throughout the game’s 3-4 hours of playtime are distinctive and somehow feel real. Small snaps and clicks help the world come together on a nearly blank canvas. Animals and characters come to life with satisfying sounds and small movements. As you scroll past them, they’ll react and remind you that you are indeed putting together a world of personality.
Simple and Rewarding in Surprising Ways
The game’s overall concept is quite simple. But it does a great job of changing things up and presenting the player with wonderful moments of discovery. There are scenes within the scene. For example, Foxy’s room has a small mouse living in it, and in one particular scene, you’ll zoom into that space and put together our little friend’s apartment. Once that’s done, you’ll be rewarded with a wooden piece that was previously missing from the larger room.
If you’re ever stuck in any particular diorama there’s also a hint system that will zoom in and show you where to place any particular piece. It’s only there to help you move to the next selection and never feels like it’s getting in the way or pushing you to move on. Woodo lets you take your time and discover what might be hidden and how each scene contributes to the story.
I have already clocked Woodo as a game I would like to share with others in my household. My wife isn’t a gamer, but even when I showed her the trailer, she exclaimed and said it looked really charming and cute. She was right. On top of that, this could be a wonderful experience for our young son, who will eventually try some games from my collection. Why not put together puzzles and a living wooden world?
It’s genuinely a sweet coming-of-age story that feels like it could be enjoyed by players of all ages and experience levels. This is also evident in the control scheme. I was a little worried about playing the game on a Switch 2 and needing to use joysticks in place of a mouse, which clearly would be suited for a game like this. And while that default setup does actually work quite well, I often played the game handheld and used the touch screen. Once again, the developers are here to deliver you a story and easy going experience, not a pressure cooker.
Verdict
Woodo is a fantastic blend of puzzle solving and discovery. There may be only one way to complete any individual scene, but somehow placing wooden pieces often feels like you’re crafting your own world. The game has a charming personality, amplified by great writing and excellent narration.
This game plays out perfectly for a more relaxed, creative experience, while many games around it do the opposite. Take a seat and piece together this story; you won’t regret it.
[The publisher provided a copy of the game for review purposes.]
Reviewed on: Switch
