Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 82 | 80 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 93% | 88 | 177 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 85% | 79 | 2 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 7 reviews sampled · 4 total reviews in window · weighted 1.9 up / 0.3 down · computed 7h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (44)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“Koira doesn’t break new ground, but it doesn’t need to. It carves out a quiet space in your heart and stays there. For $17.99, it’s an emotionally rich, artistically confident, and completely charming experience. It may not satisfy gamers craving challenge or complexity, but it will resonate with anyone who values connection, beauty, and gentle storytelling. It’s less about what you do, and more about what you feel. And that feeling sticks.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Koira is an inconspicuous game, short and full of shortcomings, but at the same time charming in its own way. Although it tries to move and build emotional depth, it often does so too artificially, thus failing to get where it should. The gameplay is sometimes schematic, and some mechanics are more annoying than engaging. Still, it's hard to deny the developers' ambition - it's clear that there's potential for something bigger hidden here.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Koira is a short interactive poem about friendship that leaves a lasting impression not so much through its gameplay as through its tenderness and visual poetry. It doesn’t dazzle with technical flourishes or a complex structure. Instead, it takes you on an adventurous journey that feels like an intoxicating meditation. The hand-drawn visuals, gentle music, and pure emotions come together in a harmonious whole that feels more like flipping through a children’s book than playing a video game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Koira isn’t just a game, it’s a deeply emotional experience that invites you to slow down, reflect, and feel. As the old saying goes, it’s not the destination that matters, but the journey itself, and Koira makes every step along the way worth taking. Yes, there are bumps, some bugs, a rough save system, and occasional design lapses, but Koira’s heart shines through. Studio TOLIMA’s debut is a beautiful first step, rich with promise and artistic voice. If this is just page one, the story ahead is bound to be something special.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Koira is a very intimate and delicate experience, capable of transmitting emotions not with words, but through gestures and silence, thanks to a sensitive narration and an impactful artistic component. Although the "puzzles" proposed are extremely simple, the bond between the two protagonists, which evolves along the journey, makes this adventure short but intense.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Koira isn’t about flashy mechanics or big twists. It’s about quiet moments. Gentle storytelling. Emotional weight is carried not by words but by sound, animation, and trust. It’s a game that knows exactly what it is and leans into its strengths without compromise. I can’t promise everyone will love it, but I can say that if you value emotion in your games and you appreciate the power of nonverbal storytelling, you owe it to yourself to try Koira. It’s short, yes. But it’s honest. It’s heartfelt. And it’s beautiful in a way that lingers long after the screen goes dark.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Koira is an incredibly wholesome game, short but sweet, about companionship, trust, and working together. I cannot recommend this game much more if I tried; with its beautiful aesthetic (both visually and audibly), combined with an emotionally entrancing story that had me playing from beginning to end in one sitting. It’s certainly a hidden gem and a game I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Koira, published by Don't Nod, is a minimalist and atmospheric adventure game that follows a girl who befriends an injured dog in a snowy forest while evading relentless hunters. With no dialogue, the storytelling relies on player interpretation and a strong audiovisual presentation, featuring hand-painted grayscale landscapes and a musical puzzle system. The gameplay is simple, with intuitive puzzles and basic controls, making it more of a walking simulator than a traditional narrative-driven experience. While Koira delivers an emotionally resonant and visually striking journey, its short length and straightforward mechanics keep it as a pleasant artistic interlude rather than a groundbreaking title.”
read full review ↗ - 94
“Koira is a touching experience that will stay with you for a while. It has the elements of simplicity and heart. It's a small but powerful adventure that successfully delivers an emotional story with beautiful visuals.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“A touching fable of companionship, Koira is a strong debut title whose thoughtful design belies its simple presentation. Its charming use of music over dialogue, affection for small, quiet moments and simple but clever mechanics create an affecting journey through and with nature.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Beautiful hand-crafted visuals, serene soundtrack and an abundance of nice moments to spend with your adorable companion make Koira a lovely way to spend an afternoon. While not up to the high bar set by Journey or its other contemporaries, Studio Tolima have created an emotionally investing adventure that excels when you slow down and take the opportunity for another game of hide-and-seek.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Koira delivers a gentle, focused experience built around emotion, atmosphere, and a growing bond between you and a loyal companion.”
read full review ↗
TheBigBois
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Gameffine
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Patch history
- Koira - Patch 1.0.7Apr 17, 2025