{{Short description|2020 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox video game | title = Little Orpheus | developer = The Chinese Room | genre = Adventure, platform | engine = Unity | platforms = {{ubl|iOS|macOS|Microsoft Windows|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|PlayStation 5|Xbox One|Xbox Series X/S}} | modes = Single-player | released = {{ubl|12 June 2020|'''Windows, Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S'''|13 September 2022}} | image = Little Orpheus cover art.jpg | publisher = Sumo Digital<br>Secret Mode (PC, console) | composer = Jim Fowler<br>Jessica Curry | director = Dan Pinchbeck }}
'''''Little Orpheus''''' is a 2020 adventure-platform game developed by The Chinese Room and published by Sumo Digital. The game was released on Apple Arcade on 12 June 2020 for iOS, macOS, and tvOS. Ports for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S were released by subsidiary label Secret Mode on 13 September 2022.
== Gameplay == The game is a 2.5D adventure platform game, featuring cinematic platforming and environmental storytelling. Players control protagonist Ivan Ivanovich as he traverses fantastical landscapes, jumping across terrain and ropes and occasionally interacting with environmental objects for progression.
== Plot == In 1962, Soviet cosmonaut Ivan Ivanovich was sent into an extinct volcano to explore the centre of the earth in an atomically powered exploration capsule named Little Orpheus; he was never heard of again until he reappeared in 1965, noting that he had lost Little Orpheus and was taken into custody.
Ivan proceeds to tell an unnamed General about his purported journey, where he traverses untamed wilds and extreme terrain, while attempting to rescue Little Orpheus from an apparently living and insane Eduard von Toll, who enslaved humanoid beings named Menkv and attempted to use Little Orpheus to manipulate time and consequently the human race. Eventually, his story becomes increasingly absurd and logically flawed to the point he could not continue, revealing his story to be a farce covering up his desertion from the faulty Little Orpheus. Despite contemplating execution by firing squad, the general was entertained by the story and impressed by Ivan's storytelling skills; he helped Ivan complete his story to record it and spared him of execution, instead allowing him to retire with a pension by the insanity defense. Ivan returns home to his dog Laika (whom he had apparently rescued from orbit) and told her his imaginary return to the surface, which was omitted from his conversation with the general due to a lack of time.
== Development and release == The game was first shown in an Apple Arcade showcase at the Apple Event on 25 March 2019. The company's Twitter account posted a teaser with a cryptic message in the form of a telegram.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Leonard|first=Matt|url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/515263-little-orpheus-announced-the-chinese-room|title=Little Orpheus announced by The Chinese Room|date=25 March 2019|website=GameRevolution|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404213332/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/515263-little-orpheus-announced-the-chinese-room|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bendle|first=Stewart|url=http://www.ggsgamer.com/2019/03/26/little-orpheus-announced-for-new-apple-game-streaming-service/|title=Little Orpheus Announced For New Apple Game Streaming Service.|date=26 March 2019|website=GGS Gamer|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403235601/http://www.ggsgamer.com/2019/03/26/little-orpheus-announced-for-new-apple-game-streaming-service/|url-status=live}}</ref> Creative Europe had published the application of successful grants in August 2017, with a project "Little Orpheus" being awarded a maximum of grant €72 339 with 50% co-funding.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=24 August 2017|title=Creative Europe spills beans on games including The Chinese Room's Little Orpheus|website=Eurogamer|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/everybodys-gone-to-the-rapture-devs-new-game-appears-to-be-called-little-orpheus|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705001742/https://www.eurogamer.net/everybodys-gone-to-the-rapture-devs-new-game-appears-to-be-called-little-orpheus|url-status=live}}</ref>
Creative Director Dan Pinchbeck said the game's intent was described as applying the studio's "arthouse background to traditional genres moving forward" and with a world filled with ridiculous "Soviet space technology, Russian mythology, and ancient creatures", like a homage to Ray Harryhausen movies.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Horti|first=Samuel|date=9 December 2019|title=Everybody's Gone: Dan Pinchbeck on Rebuilding The Chinese Room|url=https://egmnow.com/everybodys-gone-dan-pinchbeck-on-rebuilding-the-chinese-room/|access-date=24 September 2022|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=EGM Media, LLC}}</ref>
The game was released on Apple Arcade on 12 June 2020. A new game plus mode was released on 9 October 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gregson-Wood|first=Stephen|title=Little Orpheus' first major update introduces a New Game Plus mode alongside collectables and costumes|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/little-orpheus/little-orpheus-first-major-update-introduces-a-new-game-plus-mode-alongside-coll/|date=9 October 2020|access-date=24 September 2022|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928205852/https://www.pocketgamer.com/little-orpheus/little-orpheus-first-major-update-introduces-a-new-game-plus-mode-alongside-coll/|url-status=live}}</ref> An update added episode 9 on 15 January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Jared|title=Episode Nine of The Chinese Room's 'Little Orpheus' on Apple Arcade Coming Tomorrow|url=https://toucharcade.com/2021/01/14/little-orpheus-episode-nine-release-date/|website=TouchArcade|date=14 January 2021|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404213333/https://toucharcade.com/2021/01/14/little-orpheus-episode-nine-release-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> The title was set to release on Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 1 March 2022 but was delayed due to its Soviet themes in light of the Russo-Ukrainian War.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knoop |first=Joseph |date=2022-03-01 |title=Platformer Little Orpheus Delayed Indefinitely on PC and Console Due to Soviet Storyline |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/little-orpheus-delayed-ukraine-russia |access-date=2023-12-03 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The game launched on 13 September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=16 August 2022|title=Little Orpheus for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC launches September 13|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/little-orpheus-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pc-launches-september-13|access-date=24 September 2022|website=Gematsu|archive-date=31 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220831100100/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/little-orpheus-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pc-launches-september-13|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Reception == === Critical reception === {{Video game reviews | MC = IOS: 71/100<ref name="MCIOS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad|title=Little Orpheus for iPhone/iPad Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=24 October 2020|archive-date=1 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701094314/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/little-orpheus|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>PC: 67/100<ref name="MCPC">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Little Orpheus for PC Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=3 November 2022|archive-date=28 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928023845/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/little-orpheus|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>PS4: 68/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4|title=Little Orpheus for PlayStation 4 Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003647/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/little-orpheus|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>NS: 65/100<ref name="MCNS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|title=Little Orpheus for Switch Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003650/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/little-orpheus|url-status=live}}</ref><br/>XSXS: 72/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x|title=Little Orpheus for Xbox Series X Reviews|website=Metacritic|access-date=30 November 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003650/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-series-x/little-orpheus|url-status=live}}</ref> | Destruct = 7/10<ref name="Destruct">{{Cite web|last=Andiressen|first=CJ|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-little-orpheus/|title=Review: Little Orpheus|website=Destructoid|date=28 February 2022|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003648/https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-little-orpheus/|url-status=live}}</ref> | IGN = 8/10<ref name="IGN">{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Leif|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/little-orpheus-review|title=Little Orpheus Review|website=IGN|date=16 June 2020|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003648/https://www.ign.com/articles/little-orpheus-review|url-status=live}}</ref> | NLife = 6/10<ref name="NLife">{{Cite web|last=Bell|first=Lowell|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/little-orpheus|title=Mini Review: Little Orpheus - A Whimsical Tale That Left Us Wanting|website=Nintendo Life|date=12 September 2022|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=22 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922021406/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/little-orpheus|url-status=live}}</ref> | PG = 4/5<ref name="PG">{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Dann|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/little-orpheus/little-orpheus-review-a-cinematic-platformer-with-a-seemingly-inconceivable-stor/|title=Little Orpheus review - "A cinematic platformer with a seemingly inconceivable story"|website=Pocket Gamer|publisher=Steel Media Ltd|date=16 June 2020|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003649/https://www.pocketgamer.com/little-orpheus/little-orpheus-review-a-cinematic-platformer-with-a-seemingly-inconceivable-stor/|url-status=live}}</ref> | TG = 4/5<ref name="TG">{{Cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Keza|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/jun/18/little-orpheus-games-review|title=Little Orpheus review – madcap adventure to the centre of the Earth|website=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group plc|date=18 June 2020|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003648/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/jun/18/little-orpheus-games-review|url-status=live}}</ref> | VG = 7/10<ref name="VG">{{Cite web|last=Wise|first=Josh|url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/little-orpheus-review/|title=Little Orpheus review|website=VideoGamer.com|date=22 June 2020|access-date=24 September 2022|archive-date=25 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003649/https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/little-orpheus-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> }}''Little Orpheus'' received "mixed or average" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic.<ref name="MCIOS"/><ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS4"/><ref name="MCNS"/><ref name="MCXSXS"/>
Matt Gardner writing for ''Forbes'' gave the game a mixed review, praising its story but criticizing its gameplay: "''Little Orpheus'' over-relies its strongest assets–great voice acting, an intriguing script, beautiful art, and engaging gameplay–and doesn't hit these highs with its core gameplay."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Matt |title='Little Orpheus' Review: Great Ingredients But Far From Filling |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2022/02/28/little-orpheus-review-spinning-a-soviet-yarn/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915045158/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2022/02/28/little-orpheus-review-spinning-a-soviet-yarn/ |url-status=live }}</ref><!-- WP:FORBESCON --> ''Nintendo Life''{{'}}s Lowell Bell criticized the narration of the game: "there's no narrative payoff here, no greater meaning or memorable conclusion that sticks with you".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Lowell |date=2022-09-12 |title=Review: Little Orpheus – A Whimsical Tale That Left Us Wanting |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/little-orpheus |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB |archive-date=13 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913125719/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/little-orpheus |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Accolades === Develop awarded it Best Mobile Game at the Star Awards in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wallace |first=Chris |date=2021-09-03 |title=Develop:Star Awards 2021 Shortlist Announced |language=en |work=MCV |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/developstar-awards-2021-shortlist-announced/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721220411/https://mcvuk.com/business-news/developstar-awards-2021-shortlist-announced/ |archive-date=21 July 2023 |issn=1469-4832}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2021 |title=Develop:Star Awards 2021 Winners Announced |url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/bastion-uk/pressreleases/develop-star-awards-2021-winners-announced-3139289 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133013/https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/bastion-uk/pressreleases/develop-star-awards-2021-winners-announced-3139289 |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=2022-01-06 |website=Mynewsdesk |language=en}}</ref> Pocket Gamer awarded it Best Platformer Game in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=PocketGamer biz |date=16 March 2021 |title=Revealed: All the winners at the Pocket Gamer Awards 2021 |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76062/revealed-all-the-winners-at-the-pocket-gamer-awards-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133006/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76062/revealed-all-the-winners-at-the-pocket-gamer-awards-2021/ |archive-date=6 January 2022 |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=pocketgamer.biz}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" !Award !Date of ceremony !Category !Recipient(s) !Result !<abbr>Ref.</abbr> |- ! rowspan="2" |Apple Design Awards | rowspan="2" |June 10, 2021 |Best Game: Delight and Fun | rowspan="2" |''Little Orpheus'' |{{Won}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=WWDC 2021: 'Little Orpheus', 'Bird Alone', 'Genshin Impact', 'Alba: A Wildlife Adventure', 'League of Legend: Wild Rift', and More Win Apple Design Awards – TouchArcade |date=11 June 2021 |url=https://toucharcade.com/2021/06/11/apple-design-awards-2021-winners-wwdc-full-list-genshin-impact-wild-rift-little-orpheus-alba-apple-arcade/ |access-date=2022-06-04 |language=en-US |archive-date=4 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604102538/https://toucharcade.com/2021/06/11/apple-design-awards-2021-winners-wwdc-full-list-genshin-impact-wild-rift-little-orpheus-alba-apple-arcade/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Best Game: Visuals and Graphics |{{Nominated}} |- ! rowspan="2" |D.I.C.E Awards | rowspan="2" |April 22, 2021 |Mobile Game of the Year |Dan Pinchbeck, Alex Girling, Matt Duff, Rob McLachlan |{{Nominated}} | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Beresford|first1=Trilby|date=2021-04-22|title=D.I.C.E. Awards: Indie Game 'Hades' Takes Top Honors|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/d-i-c-e-awards-indie-game-hades-takes-top-honors-4167615/|access-date=2022-01-06|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133006/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/d-i-c-e-awards-indie-game-hades-takes-top-honors-4167615/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition |Jessica Curry, Jim Fowler |{{Nominated}} |- ! rowspan="3" |TIGA Awards | rowspan="3" |November 24, 2020 |Best Casual Game | rowspan="3" |''Little Orpheus'' |{{Won}} | rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web|title=2020 Winners|url=https://tiga.org/awards/2020-winners|access-date=2022-01-06|website=TIGA|language=en-GB|archive-date=29 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229193354/https://tiga.org/awards/2020-winners|url-status=live}}</ref> |- |Best Visual Game |{{Nominated}} |- |Best Action and Adventure Game |{{Nominated}} |- !Ivor Novello Awards |September 21, 2021 |Best Original Videogame Score |Jessica Curry, Jim Fowler |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-22|title=Gareth Coker wins Ivor Novello award for 'Ori And The Will Of The Wisps' score|url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/gareth-coker-wins-ivor-novello-award-for-ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-score-3052013|access-date=2022-01-06|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133007/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/gareth-coker-wins-ivor-novello-award-for-ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-score-3052013|url-status=live}}</ref> |- !Golden Joystick Awards |November 24, 2020 |Best Mobile Game |''Little Orpheus'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Heather Wald|date=2020-11-24|title=Lego Builder's Journey wins Mobile Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2020|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/lego-builders-journey-wins-mobile-game-of-the-year-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020/|access-date=2022-01-06|website=gamesradar|language=en|archive-date=24 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024005921/https://www.gamesradar.com/lego-builders-journey-wins-mobile-game-of-the-year-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- !The Game Audio Network Guild Awards |April 28, 2021 |Best New Original IP - Audio |''Little Orpheus'' |{{Nominated}} |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-19|title=Game Audio Network Guild Awards Nominees Announced|url=https://gamerant.com/game-audio-network-guild-awards-2021-nominees/|access-date=2022-01-06|website=Game Rant|language=en-US|archive-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133038/https://gamerant.com/game-audio-network-guild-awards-2021-nominees/|url-status=live}}</ref> |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.littleorpheus.com/ Official Website]
{{The Chinese Room}}
Category:2020 video games Category:Adventure games Category:Apple Arcade games Category:IOS games Category:MacOS games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Platformers Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:PlayStation 5 games Category:Secret Mode games Category:Side-scrolling platformers Category:Single-player video games Category:Sumo Digital games Category:The Chinese Room games Category:TvOS games Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom Category:Video games scored by Jessica Curry Category:Video games set in outer space Category:Windows games Category:Xbox One games Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games