Title: Leila
Developer: Ubik Studios
Publisher: Ubik Studios
Release Date: April 7, 2025 on Steam. April 17th on all other platforms
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox
Reviewed on: Steam Deck
Price: $TBD (USD)
Leila is a point-and-click narrative adventure game, created by an indie development studio based in Istanbul, Turkey. With gorgeous visuals and deep themes that will likely touch your soul, let’s dive into the review!
Author’s Note: I have received a game key so that I may review this game in advance of release. Thank you, Ubik Studios.
Summary
You are Leila, an average woman that did her best to navigate life’s challenges while enjoying the lighter moments. The game is framed around her using a special “device” that lets her delve into past, pivotal memories. It’s visualized almost like a mind-jungle, and each stop highlights various stages in her life, from youth to parenthood. There were dark times that Leila is discouraged by, and it’s up to you to help her reconcile her past and fully embrace her future.
Analysis
Gameplay
Leila is, in essence, a point-and-click game with four chapters. The protagonist, Leila, narrates the story while you interact with objects and solve puzzles. There are a pleasant variety of puzzles, such as a finding hidden items, connecting wires without intersecting one another, and checking off a daily task list.
While simple in nature, the point-and-click nature fits with the pacing of the storytelling. The devs even allow you the choice to confront or avoid certain memories, which only change the order of your experience.
If you get stuck, there is a hint section, which I found to be balanced. The puzzles themselves ranged in difficulty, but none were too easy or too challenging. When I asked for a hint, it wasn’t too on the nose and left me still feeling smart (kinda).
I will note there is one particular chapter that features themes of self-harm/gore. This did not bother me because I felt its use was appropriate and not gratuitously, but it is worth mentioning if one is sensitive to the topic.
Art Style and Music
Leila is a gorgeous game. I appreciated the hand-drawn aesthetic, filled with color and expression. I especially appreciated one section where you play through a Turkish fairy tale about to lovers, Layla and Majnun, whose love is forbidden by their friends and family. The visuals pay cultural homage that I appreciate and thoroughly enjoyed.
The music compliments the art style and themes of love, trust, and facing ones past. It is one that I would totally purchase the OST to.
Final Score
Leila is a short narrative-driven point-and-click adventure that was a pleasure to experience from beginning to end. Ubik Studios leveraged the genre and blended in gorgeous hand-drawn visuals and pleasing sounds to elevate their deeply profound themes of facing one’s past.
I felt a lot of what Leila went through as a woman–the struggles and choices, both good and bad. Her acceptance and reconciliation as she processes her memories felt…cathartic.
Overall, this is a poignant, well-made game that is well-suited for those who want a genuine, story-driven experience (and any infusion of cultural fairy tales are a bonus). Well done, Ubik Studios!
Check out the trailer if you, for some reason, still need convincing, and check out their Steam page HERE.
The Boss Rush Podcast – A Podcast About Video Games
The Boss Rush Podcast is the flagship podcast of Boss Rush Media and The Boss Rush Network. Each week, hosts Corey Dirrig, LeRon Dawkins, Stephanie Klimov, and Pat Klein, as well as their friends, fellow content creators, developers, and industry veterans come together to discuss their week in gaming, including what they’ve been playing, a randomly chosen rotating weekly segment, the Boss Rush Banter of the week, answer community write-ins, and more. New episodes are released every Thursday. Members of The Boss Rush Network’s Patreon will receive the exclusive Pre-Show at any tier along with other perks.
For episode schedules and more information, follow The Boss Rush Podcast on X/Twitter, Instagram, and Threads.
Email the Show:
podcast.bossrush@gmail.com
Listen to The Boss Rush Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Overcast | Audio Landing Page | YouTube
Join Our Community:
Discord | Facebook | LinkedIn
Featured Image Source: Ubik Studios
Leave a Reply