Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley

Undoing the parks of Moominvalley as Snufkin

In Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, a series of parks has appeared across the valley, fenced and signposted and full of rules. As Snufkin, you set out to restore nature and the inhabitants' home and to stop the Park Keeper's plans.

The developer describes the methods as distracting police officers, pulling out signs and knocking over misplaced statues. You never fight anyone. Instead you sneak, solve puzzles and use music to win characters over.

The game is set in Tove Jansson's world of Moomin and is designed, in the developer's words, as a wholesome experience for every age.

The game combines open-world exploration with puzzles, stealth and melodic elements, according to the developer, and you meet a cast of characters with whimsical personalities along the way.

The storybook art style draws on the look of the original Moomin books and cartoons, which gives it a soft, hand-made feel throughout.

Restoring the valley feels gently mischievous rather than aggressive. Pulling up a sign or toppling a misplaced statue is a small act of rebellion in the spirit of the original stories, and the inhabitants you help are grateful rather than threatening.

Music at the centre of Snufkin's adventure

Music is the core mechanic as well as the mood. You befriend Moominvalley's inhabitants with tunes from Snufkin's harmonica, and the developer highlights melodies by composer Oda Tilset alongside music from the Icelandic band Sigur Rós.

That is why we have placed it under music in our library. Headphones and a quiet room suit it best. Our guide to what makes a game cosy looks at how sound shapes a calm game.

The developer describes the soundtrack as inspired by the Nordic landscape, from harsh weather to wide views of nature. It is worth letting a scene play out rather than rushing to the next objective, simply to listen.

The stealth moments in Snufkin and who they suit

Snufkin is calm but not entirely tension-free. The developer lists stealth as part of the mix, and PEGI notes an encounter where the player is chased; if the enemy gets close, the screen turns black and the game resets to an earlier checkpoint. PEGI describes any violence as very mild, in a comical or abstract context.

For most children and adults this will feel more like a game of tag than anything frightening. If a younger child is sensitive to being chased, it is worth playing that part together.

Outside those moments, most of the game is about walking, talking and solving puzzles, so the overall feel stays gentle. Saving progress before a chase, if your platform allows, can make a younger player feel more secure.

Most of the time, though, you are free to wander and talk, and nothing is hurrying you along.

Snufkin editions and platforms in the UK

Steam lists Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley for Windows and Mac, released in March 2024 and published by Raw Fury. The PEGI database lists a Nintendo Switch release from November 2024, rated PEGI 3.

Steam lists several DLC items, including cosmetic Cherished Keepsakes, a soundtrack, an artbook and an extra chapter called Fuddler's Courtship. All are optional.

If you like its storybook feel, A Short Hike is a shorter outdoor adventure with no stealth at all.

For UK players who grew up with the Moomin books or television series, the setting may carry some extra nostalgia, but no prior knowledge of the stories is needed.

Steam lists full controller support and support for PlayStation controllers on PC, so it is comfortable to play from the sofa. In our editorial view, its slower pace and gentle humour make it best suited to longer weekend sessions rather than a five-minute break.