The tale of Kejora is a fascinating one for two reasons. Not only does the game’s time-loop narrative offer plenty of intrigue, but the behind-the-scenes story of its genre-swapping development is equally as captivating.
When Indonesian studio Berangin Creative began work on its first full-fledged game, what they came up with was something akin to Cuphead: a side-scrolling run-and-gun-style game with a bit of platforming thrown in the mix. Above all, this approach was to ensure its gorgeous hand-drawn artwork could shine.
Delightfully vivid character sprites popped in the foreground as you made your way through postcard-worthy snapshots of a rural 1990s village.
Five years on from its initial reveal, what we see today is something vastly different: a much calmer, story-driven puzzle game. Through the twists and turns, the team has remained steadfast in prioritizing the Ghibli-esque look of its debut title.
Those mouthwatering drawings and sublime animations are all still intact. But now, you can take your time soaking in the painstaking detail.
What is Kejora?
Kejora has taken on multiple forms throughout its development, but as we finally round the corner ahead of its September 4, 2025 release, its structure is now set in stone.
Wrapping you in a warm, cozy blanket is a breathtaking rural town that our titular character Kejora calls home. Under its beautiful surface, however, lies a mystery that involves a few devilish monsters, a time loop, and some other secrets best discovered on your own.
As a puzzle game, you control Kejora and a few of her closest friends as you set out to unravel the truth. That means finding items in the environment and manipulating them in various, creative ways. It also means working together to reach new areas or, in some cases, take out foes looking to stop you in your tracks.
Thankfully, mechanics have been implemented in such a way as to ensure a more cozy experience. You won’t be battling half a dozen punishing foes all at once, and puzzles certainly won’t have you racking your brain for hours on end. It’s been built and well, rebuilt, to provide a serene experience from start to finish.
Progressing through the story is obviously a driving force in its own right, but with an art style that wears Studio Ghibli’s inspiration on its sleeve, you can’t help but want to push on merely to see the next drawing. What enchanting path lies ahead in the forest? What mystical creature awaits around the bend?
In speaking with the developers, we learned just how crucial it was for Kejora’s artwork to speak for itself.
What the devs say about it
A game centered around its art
“The initial idea was inspired by Cuphead, which features a rich amount of animation and a unique art style. When we pivoted to a narrative puzzle game, we stayed true to our vision, to be known as a studio that focuses on animation and distinctive visual style.
Any frame in Kejora could be your next desktop wallpaper.
“The most critical consideration when changing the genre was our desire for players to truly appreciate the art. That’s difficult to achieve in a fast-paced run-and-gun game in our opinion.
“Based on this insight, we explored other genres and found that a narrative puzzle was the most fitting. This shift led us to completely redefine the game’s direction and center it around storytelling.”
Bringing the art to life
“For animation production, we follow an anime-style workflow, starting from storyboarding all the way to compositing.
“We also maintain a detailed animation breakdown, including frame positions, total frame counts, background usage, and more, especially for cutscenes.
“These adjustments extend to the integration of hand-drawn assets, which must complement both the animation and the game systems.”
Berangin CreativeKejora and her pals work together to overcome obstacles in their path.
Puzzles without punishment
“We’ve deliberately designed the gameplay to be accessible and stress-free, allowing players to focus on enjoying the story and animation.
“There are no punishments or restarts due to failure; everything flows in a straightforward and forgiving manner.
“In line with our design philosophy, the game offers a concise yet impactful experience. We aim to keep players engaged with the narrative so they stay immersed and enjoy it all the way to the end.”
Berangin CreativeIt’s not all sunny towns and calming forests.
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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