KAMI Review

Stylish yet delightfully simplistic looking, KAMI might not be a game to ponder over for weeks to come, but it's a great brainteaser that is sure to distract its players at regular junctures.

The concept is simple enough: the player must fold out colored paper in order to fill the screen in one color in as few moves as possible. Early stages demonstrate how relatively simple this is. Each level is typically comprised of a few different colored areas and it's simply a matter of ensuring they all match. Players must keep under a certain number of moves in order to pass the stage or, even better, perfect the sequence. The latter proves most challenging of all, often requiring some serious thought and concentration. While KAMI doesn't involve a time limit or anything demanding in that respect, it does require careful planning of moves.

It's a concept that continues throughout KAMI, with stages gradually becoming more and more difficult to traverse. That evolution ensures that its players are more accustomed to knowing how to deal with such challenges, but it's still likely that there will be plenty of head-scratching moments. The 36 levels available suddenly don't seem so meagre after all. There might be an undo button, allowing one to restart the level, but there's no sign of hints. Players are going to have to figure things out for themselves, and sometimes that's far from an easy task.

KAMI is a quite gloriously well-made game which certainly befits its almost zen-like nature. It won't appeal to adrenaline junkies nor those who wish to be outwitted by a game's puzzles, but it is endearing. Simple yet appealing to look at, as well as listen to, each element forms together to make a satisfying and tranquil puzzle experience.