Review by Jon Donnis
VORON: Raven's Story arrives on Steam with a clear sense of purpose. It wants you to feel what it is to be a raven in a world shaped by Norse myth, drifting through forests and ruins while tending to lost souls. Even before you reach the meat of the story, the premise gives the game a soft charm. You follow this young raven from his first clumsy flaps right through to the end of his life, and the journey comes with a steady mix of wonder and melancholy. It is all the more impressive once you remember that the entire thing is the work of a solo developer.
There is a warmth to the storytelling that carries the experience. Each soul you guide has a small tale to uncover, and these moments help the short runtime feel meaningful rather than rushed. The simple art style fits neatly with that tone. It never tries to dazzle, yet it has a quiet confidence and gives you enough beauty to enjoy as you skim above the landscape in search of secrets. There are small challenges and collectable bits tucked around the world too, just enough to keep you moving with purpose.
That said, the game stumbles in places that matter. My very first playthrough had me waddling about on the ground, confused and slightly irritated, because I had missed one brief chat with the parent bird. Without that moment the game never unlocked the ability to fly, and nothing explained what I had done wrong. It was an odd start that could easily put players off. Even when things were working as intended, the controls were never as smooth as you might expect. Flight should be the high point. Instead it often feels awkward, a little unpredictable, and occasionally more trouble than it is worth.
Moments like these make the game feel unfinished. The foundation is strong, the atmosphere is lovely, and the core idea is clever, yet the whole thing needs a bit more polish. You can see the ambition, though. You can feel the care behind it. For a short adventure built by one developer, it still delivers a couple of hours of pleasant escapism, carried by a thoughtful concept and a genuine attempt to do something different.
VORON: Raven's Story is a good effort that simply stops short of greatness. If the creator keeps going, each new project might grow a little sharper, a little bolder. For now, this is a small but likeable flight through myth and memory. I would call it a solid 7 out of 10.
Out Now on Steam
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