Creatures of Ava Review

A World Unveiled

We (probably) all like cute, friendly animals, right? We also all (probably) enjoy petting them, too. What about being nice to them, especially if they are in need?  What if you could step into a world with brand new animals that you’ve never seen who all need to be saved?  A world untouched by human hands, a planet teeming with new life (both flora and fauna)? Well, Creatures of Ava invites you to do all of those kind things and more! As you delve into the heart of Ava, prepare to be captivated by a world that is both breathtakingly beautiful and profoundly mysterious.  However, is Ava a world waiting to be discovered or a paradise lost? Read on to find out!

Harmony and Heartbeat

Creatures of Ava isn’t merely a game; it’s an experience. A journey of discovery, compassion, and the delicate balance between nature and nurture. It seamlessly blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and creature care into a harmonious whole. You assume the role of Vic, a cosmic (yet human) visitor tasked with understanding and protecting Ava’s unique ecosystem. The narrative unfolds organically as you interact with the indigenous Naam people and their symbiotic relationship with the planet’s creatures (of which there are a bunch!).

The game’s story is a gentle, character-driven affair. The Naam are a fascinating culture with a deep spiritual connection to Ava. Their interactions with you are heartfelt and genuine most of the time (some Naam tend not to like humans), adding emotional depth to the gameplay. The plot, while not groundbreaking, effectively serves as a backdrop for the core experience: exploring, understanding, and caring for the creatures.

Ava has been taken over by a mysterious disease called the Withering. The Withering causes things to become bad, turning the flora foul and the fauna feral. Enormous, branching weeds sprout up covering key access points across the map and require you to remove them in order to progress. Infected animals are grey-brown in colour and attack you on sight; it is up to you to save them by extracting the infection from them whilst avoiding their attacks.

The Language of Ava

At its core, Creatures of Ava is about connection on various levels. You connect with and form a relationship with the wildlife, the plant life and the local tribespeople (Naam) to varying degrees.  There are several methods to connect with life on Ava.

Carrying out research is also key to succeeding in Creatures of Ava, as you are required to log as much information as possible on your rescue mission.  Research is mostly carried out by taking photos.  You take photos of different subjects as you explore the world of Ava, including both plants and animals. Each subject that you photograph is saved to Avapedia, your in-game reference that you gradually flesh out as you continue to photograph things. Avapedia is incredibly detailed as each photograph provides more information about its subject.  Subjects can either be in a healthy or infected state and the better your shots, the better the information obtained will be.

Combat…isn’t actually combat.  Instead, it’s a gentle affair involving the use of magic pulses to extract the infection from creatures that have been made aggressive as a result of their illness. Infected animals will attack you, especially when you are actively healing them, and it is up to you to dodge out of harm’s way. This pacifist approach aligns perfectly with the game’s overall tone of calmness and doing good, and has clearly been well thought out by the developers.

The way that Vic tames healthy creatures that she intends to save is incredibly clever and worthy of highlighting. It’s all about music. Every creature on Ava has a particular melody that they associate with safety. Each species’ melody is different and it is up to Vic (you) to recreate the tune when approaching them and producing your flute. You are given a series of notes on a radial menu and as you approach animals, they will play some notes from their own radial notes list. You should then recreate not only the melody, but also mimic the timing to get it just right (i.e. not too fast and not too slow). If you succeed, then all members of that species within the area will happily follow you as long as you are playing your flute, no questions asked!

You can also connect directly with individual animals by using Ava Vision, a special technique that allows you to transfer your consciousness into an animal’s mind at will. The reason for this is, again, very clever. There are certain areas that you (Vic) cannot access due to environmental restrictions, such as tough natural tethers or vast heights. You can then connect with an animal who has the ability to bite through tough items, or perhaps reach vast heights in order to create an access point.

If that wasn’t enough, you can even pet every single animal in Ava! Once you have cured them of the Withering and gained their trust, they’re all ready to give you hugs and kisses galore! (It also never gets old!)

There are also puzzles to solve, each of which reveals some of Ava’s history.  The puzzle-solving elements are varied and engaging, ranging from simple environmental manipulation to more complex challenges requiring careful observation and logical thinking.

There are several skills to unlock through the use of Skill Points, which are earned through rescuing animals. The more animals you rescue (according to your requirements), the more quickly you acquire said Skill Points.

A Solitary Symphony

Creatures of Ava is a solitary experience. While there’s potential for cooperative or competitive multiplayer elements in future updates, the game’s focus on personal connection with the world and its inhabitants makes solo play its natural strength.

Sensory Serenade

Ava is a visual masterpiece. The game’s art style is a blend of realism and stylisation that creates a world both familiar and alien. Lush, vibrant ecosystems are brought to life with stunning detail, from the swaying grasses to the intricate patterns on the creatures’ skin. The colour palette is both soothing and exhilarating, perfectly capturing the essence of a pristine world.

The audio design is equally impressive. The ambient sounds of Ava, from the gentle rustling of leaves to the distant calls of creatures, create a truly immersive atmosphere. The music in Creatures of Ava adapts according to the scenario on screen, each song complementing the activity on-screen perfectly.  As you walk through the Naam-inhabited areas, the music changes to an upbeat, tribal song which perfectly matches the environment you find yourself in. If you are getting attacked, the music becomes tense and switches to a higher tempo.

Enduring Allure

Creatures of Ava offers a rich and rewarding experience on a first playthrough. The emphasis on discovery and player choice encourages exploration and experimentation. While there’s potential for multiple playthroughs to uncover hidden secrets and deepen player understanding, the core experience is unlikely to drastically change on subsequent attempts.

Conclusion

Creatures of Ava is a breath of fresh air in a gaming landscape often dominated by loud explosions and frantic action. It’s a family-friendly game that invites you to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. While it may not appeal to everyone, for those seeking a tranquil and thought-provoking experience, Creatures of Ava is an absolute must-play!

Grade: 8.5/10