|| REVIEW || Kine (PC)

 Developed By : Chump Squad                                      Published By : Chump Squad
Category : Puzzle, Strategy, Music
Release Date : October 19, 2020
Soundtrack Composed By : Chel Wong (chelwongaudio.com)

Back towards the beginning of the year, I got to attend PAX East in Boston, MA. It was my second time at the event specifically, but I'd also been to a handful of like-minded events on a smaller scale. At first, I started going to these events in my collector frame of mind, until I started realizing that these events were a great place to check out games that would be coming out in the future. Moreso, it was usually a chance to get to talk to some of the people behind the games. 

Out of all the events I've been to, there have been a few games that have resonated with me afterwards. Kine was one of those few. It drew me in slowly at first, but it ramped up quickly, because I found myself drawn to all the individual pieces. I loved that it was a strategic puzzle game, and I loved that it was based on music with a beautiful soundtrack to carry it all along. But the icing on the cake that really sank it all in for me, was it was a game not only about music, but you also played as musical instruments in their quest to make it to the Big Stage, and eventually find a Big Break.

As soon as you get into the game, you'll meet Roo and Quat. Quat is the drummer, and Roo is the accordion, and both share a love for music and a dream to hit the big stage. Their journeys start separately, but soon they cross paths and eventually join together. But, making the big stage is going to take a lot of work, dedication, and smart planning to navigate the well over 100 levels that stand between their journey starts and that big stage. 

Every level in the game is a part of a pack, with each pack focusing either on a specific instrument or a pair of them. You'll start each level with a book of music that you need to reach, and a quirky level to navigate on the way there. The ground is grid-based and you'll need to move across it accordingly, but it won't be as simple as just slow walking your way to the goal. Each instrument has two forms that will tweak the way it can move, and this is where you'll need to heavily focus on strategy. 

The different forms of the instruments will effect how they can move. Quat has a slide piece that moves a few spaces in either direction. Horizontally this can block you from getting past certain walls, but if you're able to use it vertically you can use it to cross gaps. Both of Roo's forms have the potential to be blocked, as one form has the accordion part of him extended out backwards, while the other kicks a leg out on either side of him. Eventually you'll even meet a trombone, Euler, whose forms are a lot like Quat's, except there's two of them that create an L that make him a bit more complex.

While some levels focus you on using just one instrument, a lot have you using two working together. Once you've gathered all three instruments at the Big Stage, they'll all three get to work performances together. These teamwork stages are where the game introduces verticality and you'll need to use the different forms to raise the proper instrument to the right spot. 

Outside of the main stages you can unlock some side things too, under different themes of working together in a studio or performing the monthly grind of work. These side stages give you very short stages that can typically be completed in just a few moves, but finding those few moves can be a bit of a head scratcher. 

There have been times in the past, and I'm sure this resonates with all of us, where we get excited about a game and when we get our hands on it, it doesn't deliver. Whether it's a trailer that overhypes the experience, or a demo felt better than the finished product. Kine is not one of those games. The feeling I got trying this game at PAX increased tenfold when the reins got taken off and I was able to soak in the full game. It's a beautiful game that resonates on so many levels and really drives it's way into you. With tons of levels, beautiful music, and a warming story that will have you falling in love with the trio of instruments, you'd be doing yourself a huge disservice by not picking up this game, especially if you're a puzzle or music fan. 

Game Rating : 10/10

Pick up the game HERE on Steam

 

Also available on Epic Game Store, Xbox One,

Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch

 

 A code for this game was graciously provided

to the site for the purpose of a review