WELCOME TO THE ARCHIPELAGO
It's a big day! Stick has finally perfected his latest invention: the Stele Translator! With it, you can explore the ruins of the archipelago and discover the Karas, the people who lived here thousands of years before you.
Who were the Karas? Did they ever return to their homeland? What could the strange blue rock they called "Helium" have been used for? To answer these questions, you'll have to explore mysterious ruins swallowed by the ocean, sun-drenched islands, and even a vast ancient city hidden deep within the earth.
GET READY TO THINK
In this first-person adventure, numerous puzzles will stand in your way. To solve them, you'll need to be able to question your assumptions and think outside the box.
Furthermore, the various stelae conceal numerous clues, so read them very carefully! Fortunately for you, the journal allows you to access any stele you've already read, regardless of your location.
Kaori is what some might call a "Metroidbrainia" or "knowledge-based game." That is to say, a game set in a semi-open world where you don't open doors using keys or unlocked skills, but rather through knowledge gained by solving puzzles and uncovering the game's story.
Moreover, the game's story and puzzles are extremely interconnected. Some puzzles you manage to solve will reveal information about the game's universe that isn't explicitly stated in any text.
WHO WILL THE GAME ENJOY?
Kaori is heavily inspired by the game "Outer Wilds." The game was designed to offer a similar experience in certain aspects. However, it's not the only source of inspiration. Here's a list of the different games that inspired Kaori:
Outer Wilds
The Legend of Zelda (especially Wind Waker and Breath of the Wild for the music)
Tunic
If you enjoy any of these games, Kaori might interest you.
The music was composed by the very talented Shy Gah!
