Tchia, developed by Awaceb, is an open-world adventure game that takes players on a journey through a beautiful, vibrant world inspired by New Caledonia. The game follows the story of a young girl named Tchia who possesses the unique ability to control objects and animals by singing to them. It’s out for PCs and PlayStation – we tested the PlayStation 5 version.
One of the first things that stands out about Tchia is its stunning visuals. The game’s art style is vibrant and colorful, and the world is filled with intricate details that make it feel alive. From the lush vegetation to the sparkling water, Tchia’s world is a joy to explore that oozes character and warmth.
The game’s story is also charming and heartwarming, with plenty of lighthearted moments that will leave players smiling. Tchia herself is a lovable protagonist, and her interactions with the world around her are always delightful. The game’s characters are well-written, and their stories help to flesh out the game’s world, making it feel like a lived-in place.
One of the game’s standout features is its music system. Tchia can sing to objects and animals to control them, which creates a unique and enjoyable gameplay mechanic. Singing to a seagull to ride on its back or controlling a coconut to bounce around the environment is both fun and satisfying. The game’s music is also excellent, with a soundtrack that perfectly captures the game’s whimsical tone.
In addition to the main story, Tchia is filled with side quests and activities that add to the game’s replayability. From fishing to finding hidden collectibles, there’s always something to do in Tchia’s world. At times this open world sandbox reminded us of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild through both its visuals and its gameplay, which is high praise for any game.
However, the game is held back by some technical issues that can detract from the experience. The game’s framerate can sometimes drop, causing stuttering and lag. There are also occasional bugs and glitches that can cause frustration. These issues are not frequent, but when they occur, they can be jarring and take away from the immersion of the game – something we hope will improve post-launch.
Additionally, some of the game’s puzzles can be overly simplistic and lack challenge, which may leave more experienced gamers feeling underwhelmed as this is more of a casual adventure/exploration adventure. However, the puzzles do provide a nice change of pace from the game’s more action-oriented moments, and their inclusion helps to break up the game’s pacing.
Despite its technical issues and occasional lack of challenge in some puzzles, Tchia is a beautiful and creative adventure that’s worth experiencing for its charming story, stunning visuals, and unique gameplay mechanics. The game’s New Caledonia-inspired world is a joy to explore, and Tchia’s ability to control the world around her through singing is a delightful gameplay mechanic that sets the game apart from other open-world adventures.
Score: 8.0/10
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