Bramble: The Mountain King, A Beautiful Nightmare Through Nordic Folklore
When I first booted up Bramble: The Mountain King, I didn’t fully know what to expect.
I had seen the trailers many moons ago and knew I wanted to play it… Other than that, I did not know much about the game and the origin of the story.
I wasn’t prepared for just how deeply the game would pull me into a world that felt both like a fairytale and a nightmare rolled into one.
At its core, Bramble is a dark fantasy, Nordic folklore-inspired adventure where you play as Olle, a young boy setting off to rescue his sister, Lillemor, from a monstrous fate.
The journey is simple in structure, venturing deeper into the woods to save a loved one, but what sets this game apart from other horror adventures is the grim yet beautiful world that stretches far beyond even my wildest imagination…
One of the strongest aspects of Bramble is its dedication to Nordic folklore and as someone who does not know much about the Nordic stories, I had to take a few days to look deeper into the inspiration behind the game.
As I explored the game, I encountered horrifying interpretations of mythological creatures I had only ever read about in passing, creatures such as giants or trolls, but then the game introduced me to creatures like Näcken, Skogsrå, and a few other deeply unsettling monsters.
Each monster had its own creepy backstory, sometimes revealed through narration, and other times hinted at through environmental storytelling. These tales weren’t just for show, as I was playing the game, I could feel the impact they had on me throughout the game… I even recalled saying, “Should this happen… I am finished with this game.” The story I’n my opinion just felt truly brutal… yet a part of me could not stop the game… I needed to finish this.
It felt like the developers weren’t just making a game, but instead, it felt like I was taken back in time… dealing with each encounter… like I was living the grim experience… and it was poetic.
The world of Bramble is stunning. I found myself constantly taking screenshots just to take in the scenery—forests covered in mist, fields, ruins, crystal-clear lakes, and moonlit meadows. The attention to detail is remarkable. Despite the horrors that lurk around every corner, I couldn’t help but admire how beautiful everything was…. as I said, poetic… You have to try the game to grasp how colorful it all is, and at the same time, how brutal and dark it can be.
The shift between stunning landscapes and bloody gore was terrifying, however, I think in those moments it’s what gave the game its emotional punch. There’s something deeply unsettling about walking through a beautiful garden only to find a mutilated figure slumped against a tree. It was powerful… and disturbing.
While I appreciated the craftsmanship, I won’t lie—Bramble is incredibly dark. Not just in its visuals, but in its themes. The game doesn’t shy away from violence, death, or trauma.
There were times when I genuinely needed to pause and take a breather, or I would just blankly stare at the screen… shocked.. It’s the kind of darkness that lingers even after the screen fades to black.
Some moments were straight-up harrowing, and I can see how that might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Personally, while I admire the narrative bravery, I occasionally wished I could go back to the beginning of the game and continue to play hide and seek with the gnomes or keep riding the hedgehog to balance out the emotional weight.
Despite the heavy tone, I’d still say Bramble: The Mountain King is a good play. It’s a unique experience that blends dark fairy tale storytelling with stunning visuals and atmospheric worldbuilding. The platforming is simple but effective, and the puzzles don’t overstay their welcome. It’s more about the journey—and what it makes you feel—than the mechanics themselves.
If you’re drawn to games like Limbo, Little Nightmares, or Inside, but crave something rooted in ancient mythology with a narrative heart, Bramble might be worth stepping into—just be prepared to face some darkness, both external and internal.
For me, it was an unforgettable (and emotionally draining) walk through the woods.
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