# Little Orpheus

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***Little Orpheus*** is a 2020 [adventure](/source/Adventure_game)-[platform](/source/Platform_game) game developed by [The Chinese Room](/source/The_Chinese_Room) and published by [Sumo Digital](/source/Sumo_Digital). The game was released on [Apple Arcade](/source/Apple_Arcade) on 12 June 2020 for [iOS](/source/IOS), [macOS](/source/MacOS), and [tvOS](/source/TvOS). Ports for [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows), [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch), [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4), [PlayStation 5](/source/PlayStation_5), [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) and [Xbox Series X/S](/source/Xbox_Series_X_and_Series_S) were released by subsidiary label Secret Mode on 13 September 2022.

## Gameplay

The game is a [2.5D](/source/2.5D) [adventure](/source/Adventure_game) [platform game](/source/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](/source/Cosmonaut) Ivan Ivanovich was sent into an [extinct volcano](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Desertion) from the faulty Little Orpheus. Despite contemplating [execution by firing squad](/source/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](/source/Pension) by the [insanity defense](/source/Insanity_defense). Ivan returns home to his dog [Laika](/source/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](/source/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.[1][2] [Creative Europe](/source/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.[3]

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](/source/Soviet_Union) space technology, Russian mythology, and ancient creatures", like a homage to [Ray Harryhausen](/source/Ray_Harryhausen) movies.[4]

The game was released on [Apple Arcade](/source/Apple_Arcade) on 12 June 2020. A new game plus mode was released on 9 October 2020.[5] An update added episode 9 on 15 January 2021.[6] 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](/source/Soviet_Union) themes in light of the [Russo-Ukrainian War](/source/Russo-Ukrainian_War).[7] The game launched on 13 September 2022.[8]

## Reception

### Critical reception

*Little Orpheus* received "mixed or average" reviews according to [review aggregator](/source/Review_aggregator) [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic).[9][10][11][12][13]

Matt Gardner writing for *[Forbes](/source/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."[14] *[Nintendo Life](/source/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".[15]

### Accolades

[Develop](/source/MCV/Develop) awarded it Best Mobile Game at the Star Awards in 2021.[16][17] [Pocket Gamer](/source/Pocket_Gamer) awarded it Best Platformer Game in 2021.[18]

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref. Apple Design Awards June 10, 2021 Best Game: Delight and Fun Little Orpheus [19] Best Game: Visuals and Graphics D.I.C.E Awards April 22, 2021 Mobile Game of the Year Dan Pinchbeck, Alex Girling, Matt Duff, Rob McLachlan [20] Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition Jessica Curry, Jim Fowler TIGA Awards November 24, 2020 Best Casual Game Little Orpheus [21] Best Visual Game Best Action and Adventure Game Ivor Novello Awards September 21, 2021 Best Original Videogame Score Jessica Curry, Jim Fowler [22] Golden Joystick Awards November 24, 2020 Best Mobile Game Little Orpheus [23] The Game Audio Network Guild Awards April 28, 2021 Best New Original IP - Audio Little Orpheus [24]

## References

1. Leonard, Matt (25 March 2019). ["Little Orpheus announced by The Chinese Room"](https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/515263-little-orpheus-announced-the-chinese-room). *[GameRevolution](/source/GameRevolution)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230404213332/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/515263-little-orpheus-announced-the-chinese-room) 4 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. Bendle, Stewart (26 March 2019). ["Little Orpheus Announced For New Apple Game Streaming Service."](http://www.ggsgamer.com/2019/03/26/little-orpheus-announced-for-new-apple-game-streaming-service/). *GGS Gamer*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190403235601/http://www.ggsgamer.com/2019/03/26/little-orpheus-announced-for-new-apple-game-streaming-service/) 3 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. Purchese, Robert (24 August 2017). ["Creative Europe spills beans on games including The Chinese Room's Little Orpheus"](https://www.eurogamer.net/everybodys-gone-to-the-rapture-devs-new-game-appears-to-be-called-little-orpheus). *[Eurogamer](/source/Eurogamer)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220705001742/https://www.eurogamer.net/everybodys-gone-to-the-rapture-devs-new-game-appears-to-be-called-little-orpheus) 5 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. Horti, Samuel (9 December 2019). ["Everybody's Gone: Dan Pinchbeck on Rebuilding The Chinese Room"](https://egmnow.com/everybodys-gone-dan-pinchbeck-on-rebuilding-the-chinese-room/). *[Electronic Gaming Monthly](/source/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly)*. EGM Media, LLC. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. Gregson-Wood, Stephen (9 October 2020). ["Little Orpheus' first major update introduces a New Game Plus mode alongside collectables and costumes"](https://www.pocketgamer.com/little-orpheus/little-orpheus-first-major-update-introduces-a-new-game-plus-mode-alongside-coll/). *[Pocket Gamer](/source/Pocket_Gamer)*. Steel Media Ltd. [Archived](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/) 28 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. Nelson, Jared (14 January 2021). ["Episode Nine of The Chinese Room's 'Little Orpheus' on Apple Arcade Coming Tomorrow"](https://toucharcade.com/2021/01/14/little-orpheus-episode-nine-release-date/). *[TouchArcade](/source/TouchArcade)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230404213333/https://toucharcade.com/2021/01/14/little-orpheus-episode-nine-release-date/) 4 April 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. Knoop, Joseph (2022-03-01). ["Platformer Little Orpheus Delayed Indefinitely on PC and Console Due to Soviet Storyline"](https://www.ign.com/articles/little-orpheus-delayed-ukraine-russia). *IGN*. Retrieved 2023-12-03.

1. Romano, Sal (16 August 2022). ["Little Orpheus for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC launches September 13"](https://www.gematsu.com/2022/08/little-orpheus-for-ps5-xbox-series-ps4-xbox-one-switch-and-pc-launches-september-13). *Gematsu*. [Archived](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) 31 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. ["Little Orpheus for iPhone/iPad Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=ios-iphoneipad). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200701094314/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/little-orpheus) 1 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 October 2020.

1. ["Little Orpheus for PC Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=pc). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220928023845/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/little-orpheus) 28 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 3 November 2022.

1. ["Little Orpheus for PlayStation 4 Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003647/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/little-orpheus) 25 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. ["Little Orpheus for Switch Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003650/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/little-orpheus) 25 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 September 2022.

1. ["Little Orpheus for Xbox Series X Reviews"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/little-orpheus/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x). *[Metacritic](/source/Metacritic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220925003650/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-series-x/little-orpheus) 25 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 November 2022.

1. Gardner, Matt. ["'Little Orpheus' Review: Great Ingredients But Far From Filling"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2022/02/28/little-orpheus-review-spinning-a-soviet-yarn/). *Forbes*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220915045158/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattgardner1/2022/02/28/little-orpheus-review-spinning-a-soviet-yarn/) 15 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-09-16.

1. Bell, Lowell (2022-09-12). ["Review: Little Orpheus – A Whimsical Tale That Left Us Wanting"](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/little-orpheus). *Nintendo Life*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220913125719/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/little-orpheus) 13 September 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-09-16.

1. Wallace, Chris (2021-09-03). ["Develop:Star Awards 2021 Shortlist Announced"](https://www.mcvuk.com/business-news/developstar-awards-2021-shortlist-announced/). *MCV*. [ISSN 1469-4832](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1469-4832). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230721220411/https://mcvuk.com/business-news/developstar-awards-2021-shortlist-announced/) 21 July 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-06-04.

1. ["Develop:Star Awards 2021 Winners Announced"](https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/bastion-uk/pressreleases/develop-star-awards-2021-winners-announced-3139289). *Mynewsdesk*. 28 October 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133013/https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/bastion-uk/pressreleases/develop-star-awards-2021-winners-announced-3139289) 6 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

1. Staff, PocketGamer biz (16 March 2021). ["Revealed: All the winners at the Pocket Gamer Awards 2021"](https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76062/revealed-all-the-winners-at-the-pocket-gamer-awards-2021/). *pocketgamer.biz*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133006/https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/76062/revealed-all-the-winners-at-the-pocket-gamer-awards-2021/) 6 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-05.

1. ["WWDC 2021: 'Little Orpheus', 'Bird Alone', 'Genshin Impact', 'Alba: A Wildlife Adventure', 'League of Legend: Wild Rift', and More Win Apple Design Awards – TouchArcade"](https://toucharcade.com/2021/06/11/apple-design-awards-2021-winners-wwdc-full-list-genshin-impact-wild-rift-little-orpheus-alba-apple-arcade/). 11 June 2021. [Archived](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/) 4 June 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-06-04.

1. Beresford, Trilby (2021-04-22). ["D.I.C.E. Awards: Indie Game 'Hades' Takes Top Honors"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/d-i-c-e-awards-indie-game-hades-takes-top-honors-4167615/). *The Hollywood Reporter*. [Archived](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/) 6 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

1. ["2020 Winners"](https://tiga.org/awards/2020-winners). *TIGA*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20211229193354/https://tiga.org/awards/2020-winners) 29 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

1. ["Gareth Coker wins Ivor Novello award for 'Ori And The Will Of The Wisps' score"](https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/gareth-coker-wins-ivor-novello-award-for-ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-score-3052013). *NME*. 2021-09-22. [Archived](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) 6 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

1. Heather Wald (2020-11-24). ["Lego Builder's Journey wins Mobile Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards 2020"](https://www.gamesradar.com/lego-builders-journey-wins-mobile-game-of-the-year-at-the-golden-joystick-awards-2020/). *gamesradar*. [Archived](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/) 24 October 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

1. ["Game Audio Network Guild Awards Nominees Announced"](https://gamerant.com/game-audio-network-guild-awards-2021-nominees/). *Game Rant*. 2021-03-19. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220106133038/https://gamerant.com/game-audio-network-guild-awards-2021-nominees/) 6 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-01-06.

## External links

- [Official Website](https://www.littleorpheus.com/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Little Orpheus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Orpheus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Orpheus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.