Games has long taught anyone who isn’t someone’s mother for years now that they are capable of telling complex stories covering taboo topics and often impart a real sense of emotion. For examples look no further than Spec Ops: The Line which explores the horrors of war through the eyes of a deluded man or Gone Home which explores themes of sexual identity and the effect it has on those around you. Despite how you feel about these games in general you have to admit that the writers of the game are ambitious and are at least seeking to tell an underutilised story that will have players come away from these titles with something to think about. Massira is not one of these.
Games Asylum: "This PlayStation 4 exclusive from Frost Monkey Games follows in the footsteps of This War of Mine, Bury me, My Love, and the recent Drowning, tackling a sensitive matter in order to raise awareness. In this case, the plight of Syrian refugees as they risk their lives to cross the border. While the subject is unpleasantly bleak, Massira is an experience not quite as po-faced as you may imagine."
Puzzle adventure Massira deals with the Syrian refugee crisis through the eyes of a child. Fusing multiple gameplay styles, does the whole thing work? JDR takes a look at a timely title in today's review.
Massira has a good heart and compelling visuals, but the story and the message it offers within are lost in an unrefined and mediocre game.
