Roia Is the Latest Tranquil Mobile Game from Award-Winning Indie Studio Emoak

One of the most exciting aspects of mobile gaming is how it has spurred innovation in game design. The unique, buttonless nature of smartphones, coupled with their broad accessibility, has led to the development of games that explore new and unexpected territories. A prime example of this is Roia, the latest offering from the innovative indie studio Emoak, known for titles like Paper Climb, Machinaero, and the acclaimed light-based puzzle game Lyxo.

Surprisingly, Roia centers around the simple yet captivating concept of guiding a river. The game starts with a stream at the peak of a mountain, and your task is to delicately direct this flow of water towards the sea by altering the landscape with your finger.

In the press release for Roia, Emoak shares that the game holds profound personal meaning for one of its lead designers, Tobias Sturn. During his childhood, Sturn spent time playing in the creek behind his grandparents' house, where he and his grandfather built homemade waterwheels, bridges, and various devices to understand the flow and collection of water. Tragically, Sturn’s grandfather passed away during the development of Roia, but the influence of those joyful days by the creek is unmistakable. The game is a heartfelt tribute to him.

Classifying Roia in terms of gameplay is a challenge. While you'll encounter various obstacles and puzzles as you guide the river to the sea, the core objective is relaxation. The journey takes you through beautifully crafted settings such as forests, meadows, and charming villages, accompanied by a guiding white bird that subtly suggests your next moves.

A glance at the screenshots might have already hinted at Roia's visual appeal, which echoes the elegant, minimalistic style of games like Monument Valley. However, what images can't capture is the game's exceptional audio experience, featuring a moving soundtrack composed by Johannes Johannson, previously noted for his work on Emoak's Lyxo.

You can experience Roia for yourself right now by downloading it from the Google Play Store or the App Store for just $2.99.