Guayota

This is one of those times I wish Steam had a neutral review, but ultimately I think what I'm about to describe is a fatal flaw, at least it was for me, so I'm giving a thumbs down. Despite that, I think this game is awesome. It's a totally original idea with cool mechanics and strong puzzle design. They're not totally obvious at first glance but not so hard that you'll want to resort to trial and error. Each one can be reasoned out or intuited once you understand the full scope of the problem. So why the thumbs down? Because truthfully, only half of the game is enjoyable. Each level has two versions - light and dark. You begin each level in the light version, and if you die you get sent to the dark version. Beating either version will let you progress to the next level, and beating both versions rewards you with some additional lore. The problem is the light levels. Every light level has obstacles that can damage you. 3 hits and you're dead. Some levels have a place to heal yourself back to full health, but it can only be used once. Best case you can take 5 hits. When you die you get sent to the dark version of the level, or the level simply resets if you've already beaten the dark version. No progress is carried over, it's a hard reset every time. This is part one of the fatal flaw. The other part is a combination of factors, the first of which are the obstacle hitboxes. They're very uncharitable to say the least, and generally feel inconsistent if not downright random. The second part is visibility. In the light levels you carry a torch and can't see anything outside of where your torch shines. Your vision radius is rather small, and is blocked by walls. A lot of the time you'll come upon an obstacle gauntlet, but be unable to see the whole thing. You're forced to go in blind while trying to dodge quick moving and sometimes erratic obstacles. The later levels have multiple gauntlets, sometimes late in the level. Being forced to enter a situation where it feels like you're almost being forced to take damage is not fun. It's especially bad when it kills you and you have to start the whole level again. This is why I can't stand the light levels, they don't respect the players time. Trial and error is fine, but only if you don't have to replay several minutes of content every time. That being said, the dark levels are great because they have no obstacles at all. They also tend to be longer and have more intricate puzzles. Had a blast with these, I wish the whole game was like this. A puzzle game should be hard because of the puzzles, not because you died trying to dodge ♥♥♥♥ around a blind corner. tl;dr - game forces you into situations where you're virtually guaranteed to take damage, and if you die you have to repeat the level which can take 5+ minutes. Half of the levels in the game are like this, so I can't recommend it because it doesn't respect the player's time.

A great game for those who like puzzle platformers. I found the narrative interesting and hope the developers keep working on this!

An awesome puzzler with zelda style level designs. This game is a master class in level design, letting the player learn the mechanics in a very organic way and making sure we know the basics before escalating the difficulty. There are so many interesting ideas, such most of the levels having a "madness" variant, which is a remix of the same level we are playing if we lose (or we just can go back and complete it if we didn't for 100% completion). There are also tons of timing challenges avoiding traps that will put our reflexes to test. As we progress, we learn about the Canarian folklore inspired lore that will unveil the misteries of the game world and even give us in game tips. All of it presented throught a gorgeous art direction and a beautiful soundtrack I will never get tired of listening. If you like a good challenge and Zelda style puzzles, you will find a masterpiece here.

Un juego muy recomendable. 10/10. Me salvó de la depresión antes de entrar en ella. Un arte impecable y un diseño de puzzles muy depurado. Aunque le estoy prestando poca atención al lore, me da la impresión de que es muy extenso e históricamente preciso. Me recuerda muchísimo a otros títulos como el Hollow Knight o el Zelda. Sí es cierto que la hitbox de las trampas pueden generar cierta frustración, pero también es una motivación para perseverar. Un Darksouls de puzzles. Contenido muy rejugable, y la música y efectos de sonido perfectamente acordes. Seguiré jugándolo y disfrutando de este título tan único y novedoso. Truquillo: SE DISFRUTA MUCHO MÁS SI HACES LOS PUZZLES MARCHA ATRÁS (Moonwalk simulator). Sugerencia: estaría bien poder alejar la cámara para una mayor perspectiva, y un indicador sobre cuántas piedras azules (o de diferentes colores) hay disponibles en el nivel. Espero una segunda entrega del estudio

Puzzles entretenidos y una historia muy interesante sobre las leyendas canarias. Una joyita indie que no puedes dejar pasar

Un juego agradable, bonito, sencillo y con la duración perfecta (7-10 horas). Algunos puzles te obligan a quedarte un rato pensando, pero no hasta el punto de desquiciarte. En general, los niveles tienen un diseño más que competente. Empecé a seguir Guayota por su inspiración en la mitología canaria (soy de Tenerife) y no me arrepiento de haberlo hecho. Recomendado para cualquier amante de los puzles.

[h2] Good for what it is, but not what I expected [/h2] I saw some ads about the game on TikTok some time ago, and since it seemed like it was some sort of Zelda inspired game with a mythology that I didn't know till date, I instantly wishlisted it. But... It doesn't feel like that after finishing the first temple, it reminds me more of some game like "Baba is You", but with different mechanics. The thing is that the game has the exploration tag, but is actually some puzzle game with some in between level selector, which is completely fine but I hoped that the path to the puzzles would give me more context about the story. [h3]The good[/h3] [list] [*] Audio quality: I've experienced some issues with some other indie titles on my 7.1 headphones, but the quality is really good here it's definitely a pretty good experience in that regard. [*] Voice acting: Despite it not having much of it, I found it very compelling both in English and Spanish (didn't try others), though personally I liked better the Spanish one and I recommend to play it with voices in Spanish, which leads to the next point. [*] Settings: You can configure the voices and the game's text in the languages you prefer separetely, and it also supports Ultra Wide, something that many devs still don't have in consideration. [*] Interesting mechanics: The fact that in the more "dangerous" puzzles you can do it's safe version instead is pretty cool/original. I would also say that the puzzle mechanics don't overstay their welcome. [/list] [h3]The neutral[/h3] [list] [*] The opening cutscene is an amazing introduction, but after that I felt more disconnected from the story as the way characters talk and how the pace of the story is marked by having some small lore after each puzzle breaks it to me. Still the atempt of putting this notebook to keep track probably saves it for some. [/list] [h3]The bad[/h3] [list] [*] Lives system/mobility: Is its strength and weakness at the same time. The puzzles per se are not frustrating, in general and at least so far they are intuitive enough, but for example when you have to dash through some traps, you have to be precise, and the fact that dashes recharge slow makes it feel less smooth of an experience. It's more of a counter point for completionist than anyone else though. [*] Sometimes it isn't very intuitive. But this isn't really about the puzzles but more about what do you have to do. I'm not sure if it's the attempt of "exploration" but after finishing the first temple I was lost and not sure where should I go. Kept talking to the NPCs but still wasn't sure until I discovered there was another exit from the starting place. [/list] tl;dr: Good puzzle game with some interesting mechanics, could be a bit more polished in the gameplay department. I'm definitely curious to see what else can this team do :)

[quote] 《Guayota》是由[url=https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/Dear-Villagers]Dear Villagers[/url]发行的一款冒险解谜游戏，玩家将作为探险队成员，踏上寻找圣布伦丹岛的旅程。这座岛屿不仅被誉为人间天堂，还隐藏着不为人知的秘密。在游戏中，玩家需探索远古神庙，解开谜题，同时寻找失踪的同伴。玩家手持火炬，利用火焰、光明与激光的力量解决难题。每座神庙提供两种探索模式：“真实之境”与“癫狂之境”，强调了不同视角下的真相探索。随着游戏进展，谜题难度逐渐升级，确保每次探险都有新鲜感。 游戏的画面是动漫渲染风格，总体来说偏幼龄向，看着还算可以。背景是加那利群岛古代居民的神话故事，加那利群岛附近有个神秘岛屿，那里浓雾弥漫，只有不想着主动登岛的情况下才能上去。然后王国派主角加入探险队，去那个岛上寻找传说中的人间天堂。故事其实没啥，就是找壁画，大部分壁画其实都和故事没啥太大的关系，感觉无视也没啥问题。 这游戏的目的就是让玩家上岛之后探索神庙，神庙里有不同的房间，最终解开房间大门进去看壁画。玩法上主打是谜题，玩家需要通过用光照石碑来激活开关，除了火把之外还有可以发光的石头，最后房间大门需要光同时照着数个石碑才能解锁。如果只是这部分你其实并不算难，但是中间加入了很多陷阱，到了后面还有光的折射之类的设定，这就需要玩家有一定的操作。 碰到陷阱会掉火把数（血），不过就算空了也没事，玩家可以在黑暗中继续解谜，同时地图会有一定的变化，虽然陷阱消失，但是会出现透明墙壁之类的东西来阻拦玩家--如果对躲避陷阱之类的玩法不太拿手，那直接掉血看地图的另一个版本也没啥问题。难度还是挺高的，一开始会给几个简单的图，然后会把中间遇到的机制全部放到一起来考验玩家，随着流程进行，地图越来越大，感觉还是挺有意思的。如果你喜欢那种带有一定神秘色彩元素的解谜游戏的话，那本作非常推荐一试！ [quote] 游玩百态，将游玩心得用汉语化作玩家的指明灯，(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧ [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/35402408/]点击这里关注汉化语录~[/url] 如果喜欢这个评测，请点个赞让更多人看见 [/quote] [/quote]

Guayota is an intriguing puzzle-adventure game developed by Team Delusion and published by Dear Villagers that successfully combines mythological storytelling with challenging gameplay. Set against the backdrop of the Canary Islands and inspired by the island's indigenous Guanche culture and its legends, the game invites players to explore an atmospheric world that is both mysterious and unsettling. At its core, Guayota presents a deeply immersive experience where players take on the role of a nameless explorer on a quest to find the mythical Saint Brendan's Island. What begins as a serene journey quickly unfolds into something far more sinister, weaving cosmic horror elements into the narrative that steadily build a palpable sense of dread throughout the game. The gameplay centers on solving intricate light-based puzzles within a series of ancient temples, each dedicated to a different deity from the island’s mythology. Players must manipulate various light sources—ranging from torches to beams of energy—to unlock mechanisms and progress through increasingly complex environments. What sets Guayota apart is its unique dual-realm mechanic: when players fail or run out of time, they are transported from the "Real World" to the "Plane of Madness," a shadowy alternate dimension where puzzles are reconfigured and traps are disabled. This mechanic adds a fascinating layer of strategy and narrative depth, as the transition between these realms is seamlessly integrated into the story and gameplay, although it can sometimes interrupt the pacing and test the patience of more casual players. Visually, Guayota is stunning in its cel-shaded art style, which complements the game’s eerie and mystical atmosphere. The temple environments are richly crafted, with each area reflecting the attributes and themes of its corresponding deity, from fiery caverns to shadowy crypts. The use of light and shadow not only serves as a core gameplay element but also enhances the haunting ambiance, evoking a feeling of isolation and suspense. The soundtrack and sound design further immerse players in this unsettling world, featuring haunting melodies and ambient noises that underscore the creeping horror and mystery lurking beneath the surface. While the game's design and atmosphere are its strongest points, Guayota is not without some drawbacks. The difficulty curve is quite steep, especially in the later stages, where puzzles become significantly more complex and time-intensive. The absence of a hint system or difficulty adjustment can make some sections feel overly frustrating, potentially alienating players who prefer a more casual or exploratory experience. Additionally, the narrative—though rich in lore and atmosphere—sometimes suffers from dense and verbose writing, which can detract from the pacing and emotional impact of the story. Some players may find themselves wanting a more concise or interactive storytelling approach to balance the heavy puzzle focus. Overall, Guayota offers a refreshing and original experience for fans of puzzle-adventure games who are drawn to mythological settings and atmospheric storytelling. Its unique mechanics, detailed world-building, and artistic presentation come together to create a memorable journey through darkness and madness. While it demands patience and perseverance, those who engage deeply with its puzzles and narrative will find a rewarding and haunting adventure that lingers long after the game is over. For players looking for something off the beaten path with a blend of intellectual challenge and immersive mythic horror, Guayota is a compelling choice that stands out in the crowded landscape of indie puzzle games. Rating: 7/10

Un juego entretenido, divertido, y didáctico. Aprenderemos sobre mitología de las Islas Canarias mientras sorteamos trampas y revelamos los secretos de una isla mítica. Recomendadísimo para todos los amantes de este tipo de aventuras.