The Lion’s Song Nintendo Switch review

Many writers will be able to attest to the unpredictable nature of inspiration. The perfect description may appear right in front of you, but then it's gone. You've already described the art style as atmospheric, but you still haven't seen the actual game.

Although they are not games journalists, the characters in The Lion's Song narrative point-and click game know all about creative ambition. It was originally published on the PC in 2016. Now it is about to be released on Nintendo Switch. I don't know of any other game that deserves this treatment.

Divided into four episodes, The Lion's Song provides a brief window into the lives of four creative individuals, all of which are struggling to realise their respective visions in the cobbled streets of 20thcentury Austria. Each chapter is presented in a stunning, sepia-toned artwork style. The chapters change depending on the dialogue choices made by the players. As the stories of these characters intersect and intertwine in their shared world, the player's choices will shape the plot of the subsequent episodes.

We are taken to Wilma, a composer who is eager to fulfill her musical and romantic potential. This chapter, unfortunately, is not the best, but it does provide a gentle introduction to the deeper issues that will be discussed in the next chapters.

Wilma must compose her best work before the concert so she sets out to find a cabin that her mentor Arthur has left. Although the cabin is supposed to provide an escape from busy Vienna, Wilma's mind drifts away to the cabin and her fantasies about a romantic life with Arthur. Life finds a way for her to be distracted even in the middle of nowhere.

The Lion's Song

This first chapter, which will be a common theme in all four episodes, is a lesson not only in musical creation but also on how to overcome personal demons. To help Wilma turn her distractions into inspiration, the player must use Wilma's dialogue cues. Bleary dream sequences provide clues as to what is actually going on.

You get a real sense of the surrounding environment through the sounds of the storm raging outside, the cabin roof and the snuffling lantern. The episode's focus is so singularly on composition that the snippets of the final "lion's song" are disappointingly short. We are deprived of small bits, which makes the feeling of success seem less real. Chapters two and three, however, are a lot more interesting than our music adventure.

The first chapter focuses on a painter, while the second is a mathematician. These chapters expand on the themes of the first chapter and provide visualisations of the characters' creative processes.

The Lion's Song

Chapter two is especially impressive, focusing on Franz Markert the painter. Markert attempts to get into a prestigious artistic group, but is thrown off balance by a harsh critique of his work. He learns that he must collaborate with his subjects and his intuition in order to bring his visions to reality, removing the layers from each subject's mind. It comes with a cost. The more he understands the inner workings of others, the more he will be able to see his own.

It is a great practice to tease out the layers of each character through thoughtful dialogue choices. Each piece of information that a character gives could help reveal a layer later. You'll be blindsided by the arrogance of the Actress or the Lieutenant's insensitivity if you choose the wrong dialogue options.

These scenes really show The Lion's Song's replayability. With a mechanic at each episode that allows you to return to certain decisions, it's tempting me to go back and play it again.

The Lion's Song

Emma Recniczek is the mathematician and the most successful story in the series. Emma is barred from joining The Radius, an influential group of mathematical thinkers. However, Emma has more to fight against than her gender. It is the most emotional journey of all. Emma's thoughtful reflections on the lives of others are a must-see.

Although the closing chapter is more of a "where are they now" segment than a narrative, it still manages to place these stories in historical context with great sensitivity. The Lion's Song is more about individual experience than the cumulative effect of WW1. This makes it all the more powerful.

The Lion's Song

The Lion's Song joins the growing list of amazing indies that are available on the Nintendo Switch. These characters are even more vivid when you hold them in your hands. These stories show that the lion's songs is more than the name of Wilma’s final composition. It also represents the song of inspiration. The lion's song is a feeling of hope, connection with oneself, or triumph over prejudice. Oh, and I haven't used the word "atmospheric" even once.