The Unfinished Swan

The Unfinished Swan is a first-person adventure video game developed by Giant Sparrow. It launched for the PlayStation 3 in 2012 and for the PS4 and the PS Vita in 2014. It recently became available on the PC as well.

Giant Sparrow is the same company that developed What Remains of Edith Finch; it’s worth noting that if you enjoyed it, then you’ll probably enjoy The Unfinished Swan as well.

A Little Boy’s Swan

The game revolves around a boy named Monroe. Monroe suffers through the loss of his mother, who left behind an unfinished painting of a Swan. The game explores Monroe’s journey of chasing down the swan with the missing neck after she literally burst out of the painting.

The Unfinished Swan is a charming game that guides you through four different chapters, each offering a variety of puzzles. Though not that hard to solve, they’re still charming and enjoyable.

Like its spiritual successor, the game isn’t supposed to give you a challenge. It’s more about exploring an imaginary world designed by the mind of a child. Flying swans, lazy kings, sleepy giants, dark forests are some of the creatures that inhibit this beautiful and surreal world.

the game begins by putting you in an empty white room, which you then proceed to get out of by throwing black paint around, detailing each part of your surroundings. You explore each section of the crumbling kingdom ruled by the king that spent more effort in trying to build his legacy than addressing the needs of his subjects.

Four Different Chapters

Each chapter of the game offer its own unique type of puzzles. Variety isn’t something the game lacks, which strongly prevented it from becoming monotone and boring during its short playtime. The first chapter has you navigating through the corridors, halls and rooms of the vacant kingdom by using the black paint to outline your surroundings. The second chapter makes you solve some physics based puzzles and explore a labyrinth created by the king.

The third chapter is a dark forest filled with dangerous creatures that will attack you if you stand in the darkness for too long. It’s my favorite chapter in the game because of the atmosphere it creates. The final chapter has you making your way up a giant statue that the king made of himself.

That’s one thing that most people would find off putting about the game, Its so short you’ll probably finish it in one sitting. I would’ve liked it more if some sections were stretched out. Some puzzles were so creative yet there wasn’t that many of them.

While other puzzles that weren’t as creative were used for the entirety of a chapter, such as the use of water to guide climbable vines around the decayed buildings and across broken bridges.

The game runs at a smooth 60fps on the PS4, which is always nice. Its replay value is somewhat limited though, and the only collectibles it offers are a bunch of well-hidden balloons

Overall,

I’d recommend the game for anyone who enjoys playing “walking simulators” and doesn’t mind spending a few bucks for a game that will surely charm you and immerse you in its world. Even if it’s just for a few hours.

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You should play The Unfinished Swan if you

• Enjoy Walking Simulators
• Like the child-like aesthetic
• Don’t mind the extremely short length
• Don’t mind the simple puzzles

The Unfinished Swan’s Score

7/10