Swan Song

Puzzle box game that's a little different, but also tells an emotional story as you progress. The puzzles get more complex with more options as you progress, but the general idea is you have to get a swan from one side of the box to the other by using the music notes to determine when to move or rotate the blocks.

很精致的小品解密游戏，游戏机制和难度随着章节循序渐进。我个人整个过程下来，除了第六章有几关卡住，基本上都是努力思考一下就能通过。在只有个位数查攻略的情况下，主线约3小时，隐藏关一个多小时。 [spoiler]关于剧情，我大致理解了时间线，但没理解丈夫为何要造这个箱子emm[/spoiler]

Un juego muy original de puzles musicales que, desde el momento en que lo vi anunciado, supe que era un juego para mí, y que, con las casi 9 horas que me ha durado, no he sentido ningún tipo de aburrimiento. Además de la música ambiental serena que ayuda a pensar y a pasar un rato agradable mientras vas aprendiendo nuevas mecánicas cada capítulo que te abren a un nuevo tipo de desafío. Sobre la historia que narra mientras avanzas, es triste y te hace reflexionar en tus seres queridos y, una mala coincidencia que me provocó dejar unos días el juego, ya que el mismo día en el que compré el juego, un amigo cercano mío se fue de este mundo por culpa de la depresión Q.E.P.D. y cada fragmento de historia que fui obteniendo, me hacía recordar a él. Ahora apartando la tristeza, tras las casi 9 horas he podido completar el juego incluyendo los niveles ocultos, que en comparación a los normales, te hacen pensar durante más tiempo y son más desafiantes. Para mí, uno de los mejores juegos de puzles que he jugado en mucho tiempo.

Score 68/100 Swan Song is a puzzle game where you must get a swan from its starting point to safety to progress to the next level. It also incorporates reflections of a family as they deal with loss and grief, which are shown as you make your way through the nine chapters. The puzzles in Swan Song require you to use a music box with the correct placement of varying notes so the internal mechanisms move and alter at the correct times.... + Exceptional soundtrack + Appeasing visuals + No performance issues + Interesting puzzles and narrative - Puzzles become too difficult - Ratio of puzzles to story - Voice acting lacks emotion My full review can be read here: https://www.lifeisxbox.eu/review-swan-song-tidbit-style/

Jogo maravilhoso, gameplay simples mas divertida e com mecânicas profundas. Mas a cereja do bolo com certeza é a história e a maneira que a narrativa é desdobrada para o jogador.

Swan Song is an intimate indie puzzle adventure developed and published by Business Goose Studios that uses music as both a gameplay mechanic and a storytelling device. Set inside an enchanted music box, the game follows a small swan on a journey through a collection of handcrafted environments that hold the memories of a family. While its premise initially suggests a lighthearted puzzle experience, Swan Song quickly reveals itself to be a deeply personal tale about love, loss, and the things people leave behind. It is a game that embraces quiet moments, asking players to slow down and appreciate the emotional significance hidden within each level. The heart of the experience lies in its inventive puzzle design. Players are tasked with arranging musical notes along a scale, effectively composing melodies that alter the environment once the music box is activated. Platforms move, paths emerge, and obstacles shift according to the rhythm of the player's creation. This mechanic remains engaging throughout the game's 108 puzzles because it constantly introduces new twists while maintaining a straightforward foundation. Rather than overwhelming players with complexity, Swan Song focuses on creating satisfying "aha" moments that feel rewarding without becoming frustrating. Secret stages hidden throughout the adventure add an extra incentive for players who enjoy uncovering every piece of content. Its narrative is delivered gradually across nine chapters, with collectible artifacts and voiced story sequences filling in the details of a family's history. The story tackles difficult subjects, including illness and grief, but it does so with sensitivity and restraint. There is an authenticity to its writing that makes the emotional beats land effectively, particularly because the game never forces sentimentality onto the player. Instead, it trusts the audience to connect the pieces themselves. The music box serves as both a setting and a symbol, representing the memories preserved long after people are gone. By the time the final chapter arrives, Swan Song feels less like a traditional puzzle game and more like an interactive keepsake. Presentation is another area where the title excels. Its colorful isometric visuals give the impression of a handcrafted toy world, lending warmth to an otherwise bittersweet story. The environments are varied and detailed, helping each chapter maintain its own identity. Complementing the visuals is an excellent soundtrack composed specifically for the game. The music plays a central role not only in the mechanics but also in establishing the atmosphere, seamlessly blending with the emotional tone of each scene. Full voice acting adds an additional layer of immersion, making the characters feel believable despite their limited screen time. Swan Song also deserves recognition for its accessibility and thoughtful feature set. Steam Cloud support, achievements, Family Sharing, subtitle options, and support for both Windows and macOS platforms make it approachable for a wide audience. Business Goose Studios has additionally outlined plans for future updates, including a level editor and Steam Workshop integration, which could significantly extend the game's longevity by allowing players to create and share their own musical puzzles. These planned additions demonstrate a commitment to supporting the title beyond its initial release. The game's biggest limitation is that its gentle pacing may not resonate with everyone. Players looking for highly demanding puzzle mechanics or action-oriented gameplay may find the experience too subdued. Likewise, some of the later puzzles could have benefited from a steeper increase in difficulty. However, these shortcomings feel minor when viewed alongside the game's broader ambitions. Swan Song is designed to evoke emotion first and challenge second, and it remains remarkably consistent in pursuing that goal from beginning to end. Ultimately, Swan Song succeeds because it understands that games can tell meaningful stories without relying on spectacle. Its combination of music-based puzzles, heartfelt storytelling, and inviting presentation creates an experience that remains memorable long after completion. Business Goose Studios has crafted a title that celebrates memory and reminds players that even the smallest creations can carry immense emotional weight. For fans of narrative-driven indie games and relaxing puzzle experiences, Swan Song is an easy recommendation. Rating: 9/10

SWAN GOES HONK HONK

好游戏，活该你赚钱

I usually avoid puzzle games of the "set-course-than-press-play" kind, because forward thinking is not my strongest suit and I struggle as soon as levels get complicated, so I'm really pleased at how Swan Song manages to squeeze a LOT of variety in a very limited amount of possible moves, limited enough that even I can calculate them in advance but not so much that it becomes boring. This stays true even after the game introduces a sort of loop mechanic: I thought "Oh no, that's it, it's over for me now", but no, the puzzles where still affordable. All of that and a pleasant art style too, matching perfectly the sad tone of the story.

Great unique and heartwarming puzzle game for 3 to 4 hours