VGSources / Games / Studio Saizensen
What it is
Umihara Kawase is a single-player puzzle platformer from Studio Saizensen, built around an elastic rope and fishing lure. Playing as Umihara, you hook the lure onto walls and ceilings, then use the line’s stretch to swing, bounce and launch across stages. The routes are not limited to a single solution, so progress involves experimenting with the surroundings and refining movement. Strange fish stand in the way, and the stages call for precision, quick reflexes and practice. The original game first appeared in 1994 and came to Steam in 2015. It is listed for Windows, with Steam features including full controller support, achievements, Workshop, Cloud, leaderboards, trading cards and Family Sharing. Its combination of action and puzzle elements centers on finding routes and mastering the rope’s movement rather than following one fixed path.
What players like, and what they don't
- Elastic rope enables swinging, bouncing and launching.
- Stages allow multiple possible routes.
- Full controller support is listed.
- Steam Workshop and leaderboards are available.
- Single-player only.
- Windows is the only listed platform.
Who it suits
This suits solo players who enjoy movement-focused platforming and figuring out their own routes through stages. It may also appeal to players willing to practice precise rope swings and launches.
Umihara Kawase makes its stretchy rope the core of both traversal and problem-solving. It is a solo platformer for players who enjoy experimenting and improving through practice.
