Given the success of Hazelight games like Split Fiction and the Game of the Year-winning It Takes Two, it’s no surprise that more and more co-op video games are being released that look directly inspired by those genre-defining titles. Whether it’s a kung-fu adventure, controlling a group of brave mice, bringing a grandfather and granddaughter closer together, or—in the case of Steam’s Ikuma: The Frozen Compass—guiding a boy and his dog to safety, there are plenty of upcoming co-op gems to look forward to. And when it comes to Ikuma specifically, making each player character fundamentally different could prove to be a stroke of genius.
While games like Split Fiction differentiated their protagonists by giving them distinct looks and character traits, such as Mio’s love for sci-fi and Zoe’s adoration for fantasy, Ikuma goes a bit further by offering two leads that are members of completely different species. This should result in distinct gameplay loops that take advantage of the boy’s ability to climb and the dog’s ability to squeeze through tight spaces. And, from a story standpoint, there’s room to explore a relationship that differs from a budding friendship or struggling romance. Ikuma tells the story of a struggling teenage boy and his trusted canine, and with both a breathtaking world and the promise of “an emotional narrative” to consider, there’s a good chance it’ll stick with Steam players long after they’ve rolled credits.
- EXPLORE a visually stunning world solo or with another player.
- SURVIVE a harsh, frozen environment by managing limited supplies and overcoming the bitter cold.
- EXPERIENCE a fully voiced, impactful story about “love, loss, and endurance.”
- DISCOVER the fate of a cursed expedition trapped beneath the ice by gathering clues throughout the world.
Embark on a haunting journey into the cold in this narrative adventure—either alone or with a friend. IKUMA tells the story of Sam, a teenage boy who finds himself stranded in the Arctic with his dog. He must face not only its harsh environment, but also something lurking deeper in the shadows.
Ikuma Players Should Prepare For a Tear-Jerker
Ikuma is set in 1864, something that instantly makes it stand out from a lot of other video games, as this is an era rarely explored by the medium. Players control a boy named Sam and his loyal husky, Ellie, as the pair struggles with being stranded on an uncharted Arctic island. They’ll have to manage limited supplies and endure the painful cold to get off of the island alive, and in the process, they’ll apparently find themselves while also piecing together the fate of a long-lost expedition. While the mystery of a lost civilization and a deadly, icy setting may remind some gamers of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, everything else about the game—its cartoony-yet-beautiful aesthetic, charming characters, and online split-screen—better resembles games like It Takes Two.
While Hazelight’s stories don’t hit for everyone, as there’s an inherent cheesiness to certain concepts and some on-the-nose dialogue can prevent players from getting as emotional as they’re intended to, there’s no denying that the developer’s narratives always have heart. And the same certainly seems like it can be said about Ikuma, which seeks to tell a coming-of-age story that also honors ancient Inuit traditions and legends. Developer Mooneye Studios promises not just a fully voiced narrative, but a story full of love and loss, a statement that gives good reason to be concerned for the safety of the adorable Sam and the equally cute Ellie.
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Keeping the bundled-up boy and orange husky alive will be easier said than done, as the icy environments present real dangers when traversing them, and players will have to fish for food or collect resources regularly. Gamers will also have to contend with an unknown force “lurking deeper in the shadows,” adding to the tension as they push forward. Still, while Ikuma has the potential to break players’ hearts if anything happens to the two protagonists, it’s also likely to amaze them. The island that Sam and Ellie are stranded on is utterly mesmerizing, with scenery ranging from snowy mountain caps and frozen ships to moody sunsets and the Northern Lights. For many, the quiet moments with little mini-games or small bits of dialogue are what made titles like It Takes Two truly special, and thankfully, it seems like Ikuma will also encourage players to slow things down here and there.
Why Ikuma’s Dog Approach Makes Perfect Sense
Aside from animal companions being prominent in games, and dogs being particularly popular—“Can You Pet The Dog?” is a common question among gamers for a reason—Mooneye Studios likely wanted the second character to be an animal for a very different reason. That reason being, Mooneye is uniquely equipped to tackle an animal protagonist. The studio’s previous game, the cult classic Lost Ember, saw players taking control of a spark that allowed them to possess various creatures. The main animal that gamers controlled in this game was a wolf, so with one dog-like critter under its belt already, there’s little reason to worry about the mechanics of Ikuma feeling clunky or unsatisfying. If anything, the opposite could prove true, with Ellie potentially feeling more fun to play as than Sam.
It will be interesting to see whether Ikuma learns from the main criticism of Lost Ember, which is that there was little to do with the satisfying animal swapping mechanics that were presented to players. This common critique ensured it was a solid enough VR game once that feature was patched in, but also meant that the game failed to go beyond a 7/10 for most critics because of its simplicity.
Co-op can help relatively simple mechanics shine, though, and if the environmental puzzles and survival mechanics are decently challenging, Ikuma could certainly be seen as a step-up. Hopefully, the clues the duo gathers on their shared journey are interesting enough that the game’s mystery delivers, making collectible hunting and thorough exploration worthwhile. At the very least, Ikuma seems poised to deliver a meaningful story, beautiful graphics, and two distinct characters, which could be more than enough to result in a good game.
