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Unravel Review Roundup

Here's what the critics are saying about the adorable-looking indie platformer published by EA.

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Ahead of Unravel's release tomorrow, reviews for the adorable-looking indie game published by Electronic Arts have now started to show up. Developed by Coldwood Interactive, a small team in Sweden, the game sees you controlling Yarny, an anthropomorphic character made of yarn.

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But how is the game holding up with critics? We've now rounded up some scores and editor opinions about the downloadable game to help you get an idea if it's worth your time and money.

For more on Unravel's critical reception, you can also visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

Additionally, Xbox One and PC owners with an EA/Origin Access membership can play the game's first two levels free for 10 hours.

  • Game: Unravel
  • Developer: Coldwood Interactive
  • Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One
  • Release Date: February 9
  • Price: $20

GameSpot -- 7/10

"Unravel's wonderful sights and sounds won't escape your own memory so soon. But assessed purely on gameplay, it's everything I tend to fear about indie projects; Beautiful, heartfelt, but like Yarny himself, not robust enough." - Rob Crossley [Full review]

IGN -- 8.3/10

"Unravel took me on a surprisingly thoughtful and reflective journey, which encouraged me to appreciate the small and the insignificant with every step. As a puzzler it has charm due to Yarny's engaging skills, but as a platforming experience it’s less remarkable. But to judge it solely on these mechanical aspects would be to overlook its greater achievement: the way it provokes subtle and complex emotions through the use of nature and nostalgia. It all makes for a sincere, warm-hearted, and extremely likeable adventure." - Daniel Krupa [Full story]

Game Informer -- 7.75/10

"With just a dozen levels, Unravel's brief six-hour runtime still proves too long for the basic puzzle mechanics. However, the satisfying platforming, thoughtful story, and adorable protagonist make it a worthwhile journey. I grew tired of repeating the same puzzle solutions, but seeing Unravel through to the end was still a treat." - Jeff Marchiafava [Full review]

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Destructoid -- 10/10

"Unravel cherishes the best moments in life while recognizing the hard battles we sometimes face as families, all wrapped up within delightful gameplay and stunning scenery. The atmosphere is so compelling that I couldn't help but feel like a piece of my own story was wrapped up in the game with the rest of the photo album. It's rare but a special thing when a game manages to impart a story that touches strings deep in the heart, and Unravel manages to meet and exceed this feat. Get ready to have all the feels." - Caitlin Cooke [Full review]

GamesRadar -- 4.5/5

"There's a bittersweet edge from the get go but Yarny's adventure continues, Journey-like in a way that'll gnaw away at the soul you've hidden carefully away. Compared to the cold sterility of a puzzler like The Witness, Unravel is where all the heart lives, and there's nothing our futile cynicism can do about it. Ironically, this is a also game that--with its beautiful recreation of the natural world--might just drive you to pop down the controller once it's over and go outside and make some of those moments for yourself." - Louise Blain [Full review]

Hardcore Gamer -- 4.5/5

"Exploring themes like love, environment, family and loss, Unravel has the potential to be an emotional undertaking for the player. It's an experience that was quite intense for this particular reviewer. It is a wondrously constructed game born of love and culminating as an incredibly, beautifully bittersweet, emotional adventure. Filled with heart from its opening to the cessation of the credits, it will wow you, make you smile, and make you cry. Gamer or not, you need to play Unravel." - Luke George [Full review]

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