Simogo Legacy Collection Review – Early Experiments, Lasting Impact

Simogo Legacy Collection Review
Simogo seemingly came out of nowhere, releasing two wildly different yet equally incredible titles that are now considered classics in their respective genres. However, before this recent success, the Swedish developers had already produced several critically acclaimed mobile games. Now, packaging these earlier releases together, the Simogo Legacy Collection showcases a range of unique titles that embody the studio’s inventive approach to game design. But will they retain their magic as they make the leap off mobile devices?

As the games were built for mobile, the menu mimics this, placing each game as an app on a stylish, iOS-influenced layout. Each game features its own page with a bit of information, providing context before you launch. Playing handheld, you can turn the device on its side and use touch controls, which capture the original intention in terms of interactivity. This is by far the optimum method of play as each game has simple controls that require you to swipe, tap or scroll on parts of the screen. When docked, you are given virtual cursors which you can control via your analogues, through gyro or even the mouse. While there are a lot of options, most are clunky, making handheld play the only recommended method.

The Birth of Studio
The games on offer vary in terms of length, genre and quality. Early titles such as Kosmo Spin and Bumpy Road lack the depth of other titles in the collection. Kosmo Spin sees you spinning around a small globe, collecting items and avoiding hazards, while Bumpy Road requires you to interact with the terrain to propel a car onto platforms. Both are quite simple and do get repetitive quite quickly. While they’re suitable for a quick game, the lack of depth means you’ll turn it off soon after.

Beat Sneak Bandit is a rhythm game where you move to the beat of the music. You can only move in one direction, with turning occurring when you reach an object or wall. This means you must carefully plan your route if you want to collect all the items in the area. Guards patrol and motion detectors flicker, requiring timing and patience to 100% each level. As the game progresses, the developers introduce new features that build on the foundation, delivering a fun puzzler where timing, navigation, and rhythm remain satisfying throughout.

Year Walk is one of the highlights of the collection and encapsulates what mobile games could have been if they hadn’t delved so deeply into monetization. Atmospheric and tense, you swipe between locations, tackling puzzles to progress further into the world and uncover more of the narrative. It’s simple to play; however, there’s real depth in its multi-layered story and thoughtful puzzles. Although it’s short, the experience leaves a lasting impression.

IOS Innovation
Device 6 is a truly unique text-adventure title that uses the handheld platform in creative ways to foster an immersive experience. Although it’s a visual novel, it plays with the formula, requiring you to physically rotate your device and perform other actions to progress the story. This isn’t just a novel gimmick; it ties directly into the narrative, creating a strong connection between the prose and your movements. The style and presentation are excellent, helping to anchor you in the world and fully immerse you in this genre-jumping thriller.

The next title in the collection takes a dip in comparison to the two previous entries. Continuing the visual novel-style approach, The Sailor’s Dream presents story excerpts that offer glimpses into the characters’ lives. While the overall presentation is charming, it lacks the thrilling atmosphere that keeps you gripped in the other titles. It remains an interesting experience, but one that ultimately falls short of the quality set by the earlier games.

The last game in the collection is SPL-T, a puzzler where you slice boxes in half, earning points as you clear sections and divide the grid into smaller areas. A number on each cut indicates when someone will remove that segment. This means you must plan which boxes to cut so others disappear in sequence, creating more space for additional slicing. Completely different from the other titles in the collection, the game stands out thanks to its addictive gameplay. The minimalist visuals help create a relaxing atmosphere, making it a perfect pick-up-and-play experience.

But Wait…There’s More
Helping to make this a true celebration of the renowned developers, a variety of extras are also included. Prototypes of several games, unreleased tracks and illustrations, and even a podcast and e-book round out the package, creating a collection that fully honours the studio.

Simogo Legacy Collection is a wonderful package that gathers several unique titles essential for fans of the studio. Although the games vary in quality, Year Walk and Device 6 stand out as innovative experiences that echo the creativity seen in Simogo’s later releases. While there are multiple control options, many of them feel awkward and can impact the overall experience. However, when played as intended on a handheld with touch controls, everything works seamlessly. Add in the extras and you’re left with a superb selection from a truly special developer.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***

The Good

Year Walk and Device 9
Lots of Extras
Charming Presentation

78

The Bad

Uneven Quality
Other Control Methods
Not Suitable for Docked Play