The Spirit and the Mouse Review (Hairy Mary)
The Spirit and the Mouse is an adorably cute and delightful game with an important and profound message. Many will be visibly moved by the ending and the reminder of the power of love and kindness. Yes, I did cry happy tears!! As John 15:13 quotes 'There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends'.
The Spirit and the Mouse is an exploratory game where you help the residents of a quaint and charming little French village called Sainte-et-Claire by restoring the electricity back online after a bad thunderstorm. Under the instructions of the acerbic Spirit Guardian Lumion, Lila the mouse has to track down the playful electric spirits called Kibblins and persuade them to go back to their boxes. Each Kibblin has its particular character and talent and sends Lila on a quest before heeding to her request. Along the way, she teaches them all the lesson of love and friendship, as they were confounded by her selfless desire to help the villagers who don't even know she exists.
The final lesson Lila teaches her new friends is the power of community. She persuades all the Kibblins to band together and pool their talents to help one human. Their success has a profound impact on them as they experience the aftereffects of their own kindness and their eyes were opened to see the world and each other differently.
The Spirit and the Mouse has unique mechanisms of travelling by electricity wires and along the way you collect light bulbs and other electrifying talents. Some of the light bulbs are very well hidden or very challenging to reach. There is lots of climbing and running around, looking into every nook and cranny but all good fun! You are able to buy maps of the town as you progress as it is easy to get lost at times.
Graphics are delightful and colourful. The game is accompanied by a lovely soundtrack with piano and light orchestral music. The devs of this game have made this game accessible to as many people as possible, so there are no timed elements, no puzzles that require sound or colours. The light bulbs are a deep blue.
I sometimes got stuck behind things or the mouse kept on running all over the place, but when I logged back in, everything was ok again. The devs are very active and happy to help as they did with me.
This is a charming, wholesome game that can be played by the whole family. It is made with a lot of love and attention to detail. Most players took about 5-8 hours to complete, but this old duck took double that.
There is a hidden mousehole where you duck in and get a variety of hats to wear. Lila looked very dapper indeed! A nice little touch.
Highly recommend. 9/10. "Be kind. Sprinkle it generously everywhere!!" Lila the mouse.