Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley Preview Event

Being from the land of a thousand lakes, the Moomins have always been a big part of my childhood. So much so I can still remember seeing the Groke (and the attributed trauma) for the first time, as well as seeing the majesty of the goldfish as it emerged from the depths. Like many others familiar with the series, I have a soft spot for one of the show's more enigmatic characters, Snufkin. This green-clad wanderer would often have words of wisdom to share, a song to play, or generally happen upon a troubled Moomintroll when he needed help. It is for this reason I was beyond thrilled to have the chance to get a sneak peek at the upcoming game starring this harmonica-playing ranger, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley.

Before we got to the game proper, we were introduced to our hosts from the publisher, Raw Fury, and the developers from Hyper Games, as well as getting some fascinating information about the origins of the game’s concept: inspired by Tove Jansson’s book Who Can Comfort Toffle, an idea for a game set in Moominvalley was born. This project then caught wind as the team discussed it, unanimously deciding on Snufkin as the main character. Their goal was to make it not only a game for kids but a game anyone could enjoy while still being appropriate for the younger audience. A small but important distinction! They also wanted to make a title longtime Moomin fans could enjoy but was still accessible to those unfamiliar with the media. With these lofty goals, the developer set off to create the titular game itself!

The narrative follows Snufkin returning to Moominvalley after his yearly trek south for the winter. What awaits him, however, is different from what was expected: signs litter the land, parks have been erected in the wilderness, and Snufkin’s mortal enemy, The Park Keeper, is to blame! Our hero, being against this treatment of nature, sets about removing them all while trying to rescue his friend, Moomintroll, who has gone missing.

After this plot synopsis, we learned a bit about the game as a whole; the story itself is original, though it aims to match the beautiful but melancholic tone of the interpreted works. The normal violence and combat of adventure games have little place in peaceful Moominvalley, with the game instead focusing on stealth and music! Snufkin is at home in the wilderness, so hiding in a bush to avoid the guards’ vision cones comes naturally. Having an all-green style helps, too, naturally. In addition to verdant threads, Snufkin has his trusty harmonica to get him out of a pickle.

By playing a song on said instrument (and others found in the adventure) Snufkin can affect the world around him. These interactions can range from getting a fish to swim toward you to scaring bats out of the way, among other, more fantastical uses! As may be surmised from the title of the game, Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, music has a large role in the title; this can be seen in the design process as well, as the composer has been present in the project from the start! Additionally, the developer has worked with the band Sigur Rós to make the game feel as authentic and true to the world as possible.

Seeing the game in action was wonderful and made me look forward to the eventual release. The iconic look, the characters, the puzzles, and the themes of the games seem very fitting to what I remember, and I hope the finished product can deliver on the promise the preview offered! Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is to be released on 7th March for the Nintendo Switch and on Steam for PC!