REVIEW: ‘Harmony’s Odyssey’ Is Simple Cozy Fun (Switch)

The world is dark and scary right now and cozy games are just what we need. Harmony’s Odyssey is a 3D fantasy adventure puzzle game set on mythical dioramas full of riddles, perky creatures, and magic. Developed by MythicOwl, in this vibrant and simple game you embark on a fantastic journey through remote fabled lands tangled by a rowdy cat and bring peace to its inhabitants by setting their homes and towns right.

A 3D adventure puzzle game set on the verge of mythical legends and the modern world, a beautiful representation of magical realism and vibrant whimsical aesthetics, there is a lot to love. As you begin you start with a simple spot the difference side-by-side images and move into rearranging and matching dioramas with layers of detail. You construct scenes, play through them, and ultimately bring the world to life as you solve them. These tile-based riddles based on classic jigsaw ideas work perfectly for those great at puzzles, and those learning. Additionally, the character designs and environment detail are gorgeous.

The more detailed, the more difficult and that’s what keeps you engaged. Especially as the tiles involved in the diorama grow in number. The most dynamic puzzles contain multiple levels and push you to analyze the puzzles in a holistic way, while also showcasing the ingenuity of art design lending directly to mechanics.

The best thing about Harmony’s Odyssey is how it manages to convey instructions through visual queues alone. This helps widen the audience of those who can play the game and find it enjoyable. While I, a 30-year-old woman, can enjoy the game’s puzzles which never get truly difficult but always keep you entertained, so can a child who may not be the best at reading but can form patterns. It’s the small things like edge colors that make each puzzle accessible to different audiences that really make this game something special.

Additionally, the ability to move the camera around the model allows you to spot small connection points that you may miss from a certain perspective. The detail that comes in hand most of the time, can make Harmony’s Odyssey a tiny bit frustrating at points, primarily when it comes to aligning fence lines. However, getting stuck doesn’t last long as you explore the different ways you can interact with the puzzles themselves and aren’t afraid to play with the camera position.

As you play through the game, you have the option to switch the difficulty at any time from easy, to medium, and hard. While each comes with its own differences, the way visual cues for when you have a diorama in the right place great helps the player know when they’re onto something. With the range of difficulty, this cozy game offers up a lot of options for players of all ages. Add in the fact that it also has couch co-op and Harmony’s Odyssey is genuinely fun for the whole family.

Overall, Harmony’s Odyssey is simple, and if you’re looking for a difficult puzzle game that will take a lot of time to work through, this isn’t it. But, if you’re looking for a cozy puzzle game with visual beauty and wonder in spades, then this is it. With appeal for a wide range of ages, a great score, and a fantastic and intelligent method of visualizing instructions Harmony’s Odyssey is a great buy, especially on the Nintendo Switch. The perfect handheld puzzler, I’m so happy it came into my life.

Harmony’s Odyssey is available now on Nintendo Switch and Steam.