Video Game Mini-Review: Guayota

Inspired by Canary Island mythology, Guayota visits Saint Brendan’s Island, where darkness and light are key to success. It’s cute and atmospheric, but it’s also frustrating. 

Guayota‘s story introduces players to the lesser-known Guanche mythology, a refreshing take from the more common mythological tropes seen in games. The plot unfolds on Saint Brendan’s Island, where players encounter the aftermath of colonial erasure and learn of a culture lost to time. Unfortunately, Guayota suffers from heavy-handed exposition and slow pacing, with walls of text making it hard to stay invested in the plot. While the setting is unique and thought-provoking, the storytelling struggles to maintain a compelling flow.

In Guayota, players are tasked with solving puzzles that take place across two realms: the real world, filled with traps and obstacles, and the alternate realm, which emphasizes more complex problem-solving without the immediate threat of death. Each of the three temples in the game offers eight puzzle rooms, with the puzzles becoming more intricate as the player progresses.

The real-world challenges are particularly punishing, requiring precise movement and timing to avoid depleting your limited health, which can quickly make the experience feel more tedious than enjoyable. However, when the puzzles hit the right balance, they offer a rewarding sense of accomplishment, especially as you uncover the lore of the Guanche mythology behind the game’s story. Guayota’s presentation is lovely, featuring beautiful cel-shaded textures that create a beautiful world. The game’s art and animations are well-done and the environments look great. The voice acting is competent but nothing special. The music is similar – it’s not offensive but players won’t be humming these tunes when they turn the game off.

Guayota presents a beautifully atmospheric world inspired by Canary Island mythology, but its gameplay and storytelling can quickly become tedious. Despite its captivating visuals and cultural depth, the game struggles to balance difficulty with player enjoyment, often leading to frustration. Still, there is enough here to check out if players are into the setting and genre.