Developer – Cococucumber

Publisher – Cococucumber

Platforms –   PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Developer

Ravenlok: Legendary Edition presents itself as an epic, magical journey through a whimsical realm—but while it dazzles on the surface, it struggles to maintain its charm where it counts most: gameplay depth, direction, and longevity. Developed by Cococucumber, the game aims to deliver a heartfelt action-adventure experience that’s rich in style and emotion. It certainly looks the part, but after the initial excitement wears off, the cracks begin to show.

The story kicks off when a young girl named Ravenlok stumbles across a mysterious mirror and is transported into a fantastical world gripped by the tyranny of a dark queen. From there, she’s thrust into the role of a chosen hero, expected to restore light and balance to a realm turned upside down. It’s a classic fantasy setup with undeniable potential, but the narrative never really deepens past its basic premise. The emotional beats land softly, and while the world is full of strange and curious characters, many of them feel underdeveloped or one-note, more aesthetic than substance.

The “Legendary Edition” of the game brings in a few technical improvements—enhanced visuals, smoother performance, and some exclusive cosmetic content—but these upgrades do little to address the core issues with the game’s design. Yes, it’s prettier and more polished than before, but the gameplay remains limited, and the experience still feels disappointingly short and shallow.

Visually, Ravenlok is undeniably striking. The voxel art style is colorful and cinematic, and each location is rendered with a painterly touch that begs for exploration. From glowing mushroom groves to eerie mansions and labyrinths, the world design is imaginative and immersive. It’s a feast for the eyes, and the environments are often more interesting than the gameplay that unfolds within them.

Combat is fast-paced, but fairly basic. Ravenlok wields a sword and shield in real-time battles against quirky monsters and shadowy bosses. Magical abilities and bombs add some variety, and the game throws in some solid boss encounters to keep things lively. However, the overall combat system lacks depth. There’s little strategy beyond dodge-and-slash, and the repetitive nature of encounters quickly sets in. You won’t find any major evolution in your abilities or tactics as you progress—it’s a straightforward affair from beginning to end.

What truly undermines the experience, though, is the frustrating lack of direction. Ravenlok encourages exploration, which is great—until you realize that there’s no map, no compass, and almost no in-game guidance to help you figure out where to go next. This design choice turns what should be a whimsical adventure into an often tedious guessing game. You’ll spend more time wandering in circles than actually accomplishing anything meaningful. At times, it feels like the game is actively hiding the fun from you.

Missions, while occasionally charming, often fall into repetitive fetch-quest patterns. Characters send you off to collect arbitrary items or defeat specific enemies, and many of these tasks feel like filler meant to stretch the already brief runtime. While a few sidequests are enjoyable and add to the world’s atmosphere, the lack of meaningful variety drags the experience down.

And yes, the game is short—very short. You can easily complete the entire adventure, with side content included, in just a few hours. While some may appreciate the tight pacing, it ultimately feels like an unfinished story. Just when the world starts to get interesting, the credits roll. It’s a shame, because the environments and characters suggest a much larger tale waiting to be told, but the game never digs deep enough to satisfy that potential.

The soundtrack, at least, is a highlight. A sweeping, orchestral score adds emotional weight to the journey and elevates some otherwise bland moments. It pairs beautifully with the visuals, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that’s hard to deny. Unfortunately, music alone isn’t enough to carry the game when the core mechanics and progression systems are lacking.

There are moments when Ravenlok shines—when you’re taking in a new area for the first time, or when a particularly well-designed boss appears—but these moments are fleeting. The sense of discovery and wonder quickly fades as repetition, lack of guidance, and shallow mechanics take over.

While the Legendary Edition gives the game a fresh coat of paint, it doesn’t fix the underlying problems. It’s still a visually beautiful game with a lovely aesthetic, but one that ultimately doesn’t live up to its ambitions. With clearer quest structure, deeper gameplay systems, and more substantial content, this could have been something special. Instead, it’s a brief and often confusing adventure that leans heavily on style to cover its shortcomings.

In the end, Ravenlok: Legendary Edition feels like a missed opportunity. The foundation is strong, and the presentation is top-tier, but the gameplay and structure don’t hold up. It’s a magical world, sure—but one that’s hard to navigate, too short to truly appreciate, and not nearly as legendary as the name suggests.