Guayota – Review – Adventure and enigmas in a mythical and mysterious world

When I started my journey in Guayota , I must admit that I didn’t know much about the mythology of the Canary Islands. The game attracted me with the promise of an intriguing adventure, with challenging puzzles and a plot steeped in ancient legends. Within the first few hours, I realized that there was something special here – something that goes beyond the typical puzzle-adventure game formula. The developers have built a world full of mystery, with visible care in recreating the Guanche mythology, and I couldn’t wait to discover every piece of this story.

Right off the bat, I was thrown into a mythical island full of traps and secrets, where the scope of the narrative and the dark atmosphere evoke an almost Lovecraftian feel. Guayota mixes mysticism and history into a single puzzle game, which is pretty cool; but does the game actually manage to back up its interesting premise with engaging gameplay and high-quality technical execution? Let’s find out.

Mechanics and Gameplay

One of the things that impressed me most about Guayota was its minimalist yet profound approach to puzzles. The game starts out simple, introducing me to its basic puzzle-solving system using a torch and crystals that, when placed correctly, unlock doors and reveal secret passages. At first, these challenges are easy to solve, giving me the feeling that I was being “prepared” for something much bigger – and I was right.

As I progressed through the island’s labyrinthine temples, the puzzles became increasingly complex. It wasn’t just about lighting crystals; the game added multiple types of stones with different properties, like the ability to reflect light or explode to open new areas. Each temple forced me to rethink my approach, often requiring me to find creative solutions that combined previously acquired skills.

The difference here is the dual-realm system. Whenever my torch went out (whether due to deadly traps or miscalculations), I was transported to an alternate plane, a spiritual dimension where the same scenarios existed, but with a new layer of challenges. This system is one of Guayota ‘s great achievements. It not only adds variety to the gameplay, but also reinforces the mystical and dark theme of the narrative. Solving a puzzle on the physical plane was only half the task; often, I had to transition between the two dimensions to get the full solution.

However, not everything is perfect. The game implements traps that can be frustrating. There are sections where timing and precision are essential, which can be a bit counterproductive for a puzzle title, where I expected more time for reflection and planning. The feeling of being rushed at certain times, especially when deadly traps are involved, made some stages lose a bit of their charm, forcing me to replay them several times. This wasn’t enough to diminish the overall quality of the experience, but it was something that, at times, tested my patience.

Graphics

Visually, Guayota is beautiful; a true spectacle of somber tones. The dark, almost claustrophobic environments contrast sharply with the light emitted by the torch, creating a tense atmosphere that perfectly aligns with the game’s Lovecraftian narrative. Each underground temple I explored seemed to have been carefully sculpted, with details that made me feel the weight of history on the walls around me. It’s as if every stone, every mural, and every altar was burdened with centuries of mythology and mystery.

The alternation between the two realms – physical and spiritual – is one of the highlights of the visual design. The physical plane is dark and oppressive, with earthy tones and dense shadows. The spiritual plane, on the other hand, brings an explosion of ethereal colors, with brighter lights and a vivid contrast that facilitates navigation and puzzle-solving.

However, this dark aesthetic comes at a price: at times, I felt the game was overly dark. While the setting contributed to the atmosphere, the darkness made it difficult to identify important points, such as traps or puzzle elements. While it is possible to highlight key objects with the press of a button, this mechanic does not replace the frustration of trying to navigate areas where you can barely see what is ahead.

Sound

Guayota ’s soundtrack deserves praise for its ability to heighten the sense of mystery and solitude. The use of ambient sounds, such as the echo of caves or the subtle sound of wind, creates a dense atmosphere that contributes to the total immersion in the game experience. I often found myself standing still, simply listening to the sounds around me as I tried to figure out the next challenge.

The sound effects are equally well executed. The sound of a torch crackling, the echo of a door opening as you solve a puzzle, or the distant sound of traps being triggered bring the game world to life, reinforcing the sense of imminent danger that lurks around every corner.

If there is one criticism to be made, it would be the lack of voice acting. Although the dialogues are conveyed through text, I believe that quality voice acting could have further enhanced the involvement with the characters and the story. The game tells a rich and deep story, and I felt that, at times, the emotional impact was somewhat lost due to the lack of voices.

Fun

The fun in Guayota undoubtedly comes from the satisfaction of solving its well-designed puzzles. The “eureka” feeling that accompanies solving a difficult puzzle is always one of the most rewarding moments in the game. The act of switching between two kingdoms, using the strengths of each to advance, keeps the experience fresh and engaging, and there is a real joy in overcoming the more intricate challenges.

However, not everything is perfect in this regard. The inclusion of physical traps in some areas – which require quick reflexes and precision – can interrupt the flow of puzzle-solving. I found myself, on several occasions, being thrown into the spiritual plane without a chance to fully process what was happening, which somewhat detracted from the immersion and left me feeling a bit frustrated. For a game that is primarily cerebral, these action sections felt unnecessary and a bit out of place.

Still, for those who love intellectual challenges and the feeling of constant progress, Guayota offers a rewarding and largely entertaining experience.

Performance and Optimization

In terms of performance, I played Guayota on both Nintendo Switch and PC, and the experience was smooth on both platforms. On Switch, the game runs smoothly in both handheld and TV mode, with no significant frame rate drops or stuttering. Loading between realms is nearly instantaneous, which is essential for keeping up with the pace of the puzzles.

However, there are some minor issues that could be improved. At certain points, I noticed that the camera, even with the option to move it, did not offer the best view of crucial elements of the environment. This led to some unnecessary deaths and repetition of levels, which could have been avoided with a more fluid camera or adjustments to the viewing angles.

Additionally, the excessive darkness in some areas, as mentioned above, can make navigation difficult, especially in moments where precision is essential. Improved lighting, or perhaps the introduction of more checkpoints throughout the levels, could greatly improve the experience and reduce frustration.

Conclusion

Guayota is a unique title with a rich and immersive approach to mythology and puzzles. The transitions between realms, creative puzzles, and dark atmosphere create an engaging and challenging experience. While the physical traps can disrupt the pace and some areas are overly dark, the game stands out for its original design and the level of challenge it provides.

I recommend Guayota to anyone who enjoys puzzles that require logical reasoning and an engaging narrative based on mythology. Despite its minor setbacks, the game offers a rewarding and innovative experience that is worth exploring.

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Positive Points:

• Clever, well-designed puzzles.
• Two kingdom system that adds depth to gameplay.
• Immersive atmosphere and engaging soundtrack.
• Narrative based on lesser-known mythology.

Negative Points:

• Frustrating traps that disrupt the flow.
• Excessive darkness in some scenarios.
• Lack of dubbing that could improve the emotional impact.

Rating:
Graphics: 8.0
Fun: 7.5
Gameplay: 8.0
Sound: 8.5
Performance and Optimization: 7.0
FINAL GRADE: 7.8 / 10.0

• Analysis produced from a copy of the game provided by the  Game Producer .