One of the things we love about mobile gaming is the way it has accelerated innovation in game design. The unusual buttonless form factor of a smartphone and the sheer universality of its audience have combined to take video games in all sorts of unexpected directions, and Roia is a perfect case in point. This ingenious puzzle-adventure is the latest title to come out of Emoak, the ambitious indie studio behind Paper Climb, Machinaero, and the award-winning light-based puzzler Lyxo.
Believe it or not, Roia is about making a meandering river. That’s it. A stream begins at the top of a mountain, and you have to gently shepherd this cascade of water towards the azure sea by manipulating the landscape with your finger.Emoak reveals in the press release for Roia that the game has a deeply personal significance for one of its astute designers, Tobias Sturn.
During his childhood, Sturn spent time playing in the babbling creek behind his grandparents’ house, using homemade waterwheels, bridges, and other contraptions crafted with the help of his venerable grandfather to explore the way that water flows and gathers.
Sturn’s grandfather died during the making of Roia, but the influence of those happy days in the creek is palpable. The game is dedicated to him. fenye
Your journey will traverse handcrafted environments, encompassing forests, meadows, and charming villages. Throughout, a benevolent white bird surveys the sky, subtly guiding your path.
Undoubtedly, you've examined the screenshots, revealing Roia's affiliation with the refined, minimalist aesthetic of Monument Valley.
Beyond its visual appeal, Roia captivates with its evocative soundtrack. Emoak has entrusted the musical score to Johannes Johannson, renowned for his contributions to the studio's Lyxo.
Roia is currently available on the Google Play Store and the App Store, priced at $2.99.
