Call of the wild.

Lost Ember is a game for those who enjoy nature, animals, and a touching storyline. Although there’s not much to do during gameplay, you may still find yourself enjoying almost every moment.

You start the game as a wolf, and you’re met by a spirit who asks for your help finding the City of Light. Agreeing to help, the two of you will then start a beautiful adventure, walking on land, flying in the air, digging underground, and even swimming through water.

As you start your journey, you will find you can change from a wolf into other animals. By taking on multiple roles, you can perform different tasks that help you get through various obstacles. While on your adventure, you and your companion will often come across a memory of yours, where you will find secrets of your past life as a human. The memories all tie together to create a story told and explained to you by the spirit; the wolf does not talk.

Although there is not much more to do in Lost Ember, it surprisingly is not boring or repetitive. With beautiful scenery and different locations, there is no need for anything but exploring and enjoying the graphics and art style. And even though there is a wide area to explore, it is hard to get lost. There seemed to always be a path or another way of knowing where to go. Even when you go off course for a moment, you’re able to find your way back to where you need to be. This sense of freedom, therefore, becomes one of the game’s highlights.

Lost Ember does not rush you at all, which gives you time to explore the landscapes and play as different animals for however long you like.

This is important for two reasons. First, the cel-shaded graphics are vibrant and full of motion. Although they lack detail and are a downgrade compared to other systems, they still do a great job of bringing this world to life. Many moments can take your breath away as you race through a newly opened vista. Although you can play Lost Ember in handheld mode, the impact is more effective on your TV.

Second, the game is rather short; you can complete it in around five hours. Although that’s not necessarily a fault, the game is not priced accordingly. Short adventures like this with little replay value are usually about the current cost of Lost Ember.

That said, the game is fun while it lasts, and the emotional payoff is worth the time spent. It just may be a good idea to wait for a sale on this one.