New Game of the Week! Kejora’s stunning hand-drawn art takes after Studio Ghibli

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The story of Kejora is captivating in two unique ways. Firstly, the game’s intricate time-loop plot keeps you guessing and on your toes. Secondly, the backstory of how it was developed, switching between genres, is just as compelling.

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Kejora’s story is captivating for two reasons. For one, its complex time-loop narrative provides a lot of mystery. And two, the behind-the-scenes tale of its genre-swapping development process is equally intriguing.

Initially, when Berangin Creative started developing their debut game, they aimed for a game similar to Cuphead – an action-packed side-scroller that combined run-and-gun mechanics with platforming elements. Primarily, this design choice was made to showcase the stunning hand-drawn visuals at their best.

As you navigated picturesque scenes of a quaint 1990s countryside village, vibrant and charming characters seemed to leap into focus.

After five years since its first unveiling, what we have now is significantly transformed: a more tranquil, narrative-focused puzzle game. Despite the various challenges along the way, the team has consistently prioritized maintaining the Ghibli-like aesthetic from their initial release.

The enticing sketches and awe-inspiring animations remain unchanged. Now, however, you’re welcome to leisurely appreciate the intricate craftsmanship.

What is Kejora?

Throughout its growth process, Kejora has assumed various shapes, but as we near its September 4, 2025 launch, its structure has become fixed and unchangeable.

Enveloping you in the comfort of a snug, homely blanket is a picturesque rural town, where our protagonist Kejora resides. Beneath its enchanting exterior, though, unfolds a mystery teeming with mischievous creatures, temporal loops, and hidden truths better experienced firsthand.

In this game, you guide Kejora and her trusted companions on a quest to solve a mystery. This involves searching for objects within the environment, as well as using your imagination to adjust them in different ways. Collaboration is key too; you’ll need to work together to access new locations or, at times, defeat adversaries that aim to thwart your progress.

Fortunately, the mechanics have been designed to deliver a comfortable and relaxing gaming experience. You won’t find yourself fighting numerous tough enemies simultaneously, nor will the puzzles leave you struggling for long periods. Instead, it has been carefully crafted and refined to offer a tranquil journey from beginning to end.

Advancing through the tale is undeniably compelling, yet with an art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, you find yourself eagerly wanting to move forward just to discover the next piece of artwork. What magical journey unfolds within the woods? What mysterious being lurks beyond the turn?

During our conversation with the developers, we discovered that self-expressive art by Kejora was incredibly vital, as it carried its own message effectively.

What the devs say about it

A game centered around its art

The original concept took shape based on the animated charm and distinctive aesthetics found in Cuphead. As we transitioned into creating a narrative puzzle game, our commitment remained constant – to establish ourselves as a studio renowned for exceptional animation and a signature visual style.

When we decided to switch genres, the primary concern was ensuring that the artwork would be fully appreciated by the players. In our view, this is challenging in high-speed action games like run-and-gun.

After gaining this understanding, we ventured into different types of games and discovered that a story-driven puzzle best suited our project. This change in course significantly altered the game’s focus, centering it on narrative development.

Bringing the art to life

To create our animations, we use a process similar to that of anime production, beginning with the development of visual stories through storyboarding and moving on to the final stages of combining layers in a technique called compositing.

Additionally, we keep a comprehensive analysis of each animated scene, covering factors like specific frame locations, the overall number of frames, background incorporation, and other relevant details, particularly in scenes designed for cinematics or cutscenes.

The changes apply to the incorporation of hand-drawn elements as well, ensuring they harmonize with both the animations and the game mechanics.

Puzzles without punishment

The gameplay has been intentionally crafted to be user-friendly and low-pressure, enabling players to concentrate on appreciating the narrative and visuals.

In this setup, there are no penalties or do-overs following mistakes; instead, things proceed smoothly and with understanding for errors.

Following our design principles, this game delivers a focused and powerful playthrough. Our goal is to maintain player interest in the storyline, keeping them captivated and fully engaged right up until the final moments.

Kejora releases in full on September 4, 2025. But if you’re already hooked by the visuals, there’s an early demo available now through Steam.

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2025-07-07 08:48