Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley is based on the old cartoon/comic book series Moomins, which are friendly trolls that resemble hippos.
You play as Snufkin, a human (or humanlike) with a green hat and robe, who returns to Moominvalley after the winter when the Moomins come out of hibernation. He aims to meet his friend Moomintroll by the bridge but you then venture around the valley to find him, travelling over to Hattifatteners Island.
Some of the forest has been cut down for parks, and the valley's rivers have run dry caused by a dam, so Snufkin also aims to raise the dam to restore the valley.
The game has a nice art style which looks similar to paper, and the audio is done by famous Icelandic band Sigur Rós.
The gameplay is simple: pick up and drop rocks, hop across gaps, climb ladders, push logs. You generally remove hazards, and create improvised platforms. Another aspect is to play an instrument. This is a way of interacting with creatures which has various effects depending on what they are. So some move away, some stay still, some pop out etc. Snufkin starts with an harmonica but later gets a flute and drum.
These instruments are a way of blocking off the map but the gameplay doesn't really change from them. There's an inspiration meter which levels as you complete tasks, and run through some bushes which is some general busywork. The side-quests are usually to locate a certain item.
The stealth sections with the police in the parks help mix up the gameplay. The parks are often linear but can have some branching paths. You have to stay out of the policemen's vision cones, and destroy the signs and statues to complete the section.
There's one chase section at night from a monster (The Groke) which seems jarring in tone for a cosy generally relaxing game. The monster turns out to be a friend after though and helps extinguish the forest fire.
The visuals and audio are nice, but the gameplay is simple and the story isn't that interesting other than a message about preserving the environment. It’s aimed at a younger audience, and the brief length at 3 hours will allow inexperienced gamers to reach the end. The game seems well received by Moomin fans and those wanting a simple experience.