Saira

> Be me, puzzle aficionado extraordinaire
> Hear whispers of an indie gem called "Saira"
> Decided to take the plunge into a universe full of mysteries and dangerous creatures
> Download the game, expecting just another puzzle platformer
> Suddenly, the screen lights up, revealing a world born from high-resolution photography
> Mind officially blown - it's like playing inside a digital art gallery
> Meet Saira, the galaxy's last photographer standing
> Armed with only a camera and a determination fiercer than my will to avoid spoilers
> Embark on a non-linear journey through seven star systems
> Puzzles so well-crafted, I question if I've accidentally stumbled into puzzle Valhalla
> No weapons for Saira - just her mind and agility, making Lara Croft reconsider her life choices
> Discover surprising creatures and locations, each more peculiar than the last
> Parallax scrolling so mesmerizing, I briefly consider setting it as my screensaver
> Two-hour soundtrack keeping me company - it's like Hans Zimmer made a puzzle-solving mixtape
> Hours pass, and I unlock not one, but six vastly unique endings
> Confused, amazed, emotionally drained - it's like I attended a puzzle support group meeting
> Rate "Saira" 11/10 for breaking the puzzle mold
> Recommend it to friends with a note: "Get ready for a journey that's more mind-bending than a MC Escher designing a rollercoaster.
[hr]

[Scene: Peter Parker and Frank West sitting on a couch, gaming setup in front of them. "Saira" loading on the screen.]

Peter Parker: Hey, Frank, heard there's a new game in town. They say it's outta this world.

Frank West: Outta this world, huh? Sounds like my kind of game. What's it called again?

Peter Parker: "Saira." Supposedly a puzzle platformer with a unique graphical style, and get this – it's centered around photography.

[They start playing the game, navigating through the first level.]

Frank West: (intrigued) Photography, huh? Now we're talking my language. Why solve puzzles when you can just snap pics?

Peter Parker: (laughing) Frank, we're here for both – the puzzles and the photography. It's like multitasking for your brain.

[They encounter a challenging puzzle.]

Frank West: (frustrated) This puzzle is tougher than trying to get a decent shot of a zombie mid-attack.

Peter Parker: (nodding) True, but it's the challenge that makes it interesting. Like capturing the perfect moment in a chaotic battle.

[They both struggle with the puzzle, exchanging banter.]

Frank West: (sarcastic) Oh, great. A puzzle. Just what I needed today.

Peter Parker: (encouraging) Come on, Frank, think of it as deciphering the latest zombie outbreak pattern.

[They finally solve the puzzle and progress to the next level.]

Frank West: (impressed) Okay, this game is kinda growing on me. Mixing puzzles and photography is like peanut butter and chocolate. 📸🍫

Peter Parker: (smirking) More like web-slinging and rooftop photography, right? 🕷️🏙️

[As they delve deeper into the game, they encounter unexpected twists.]

Frank West: (surprised) What the heck just happened? Did the game glitch?

Peter Parker: (laughing) No glitch, Frank. Just the game throwing us a curveball. It's all part of the experience.

[They continue playing, getting more engrossed in the puzzles and storyline.]

Frank West: (nodding) I'll give it to this game. It's not your run-of-the-mill shoot 'em up. It's got layers.

Peter Parker: (grinning) Just like a good superhero comic. And the photography element adds a unique twist. It's like telling a story through the lens. 📖📷

[They play through the game, occasionally sharing laughs and commentary on the unexpected twists and turns of "Saira."]

Peter Parker: (closing the game) Well, that was a wild ride.

Frank West: (smirking) Yeah, not bad for a game without a single zombie. I give it... three outta five severed limbs. 💀✌️

Peter Parker: (laughing) I'll go with four outta five webs. "Saira" – not just for the zombies, but for the unexpected puzzles that leave your brain spinning and the photography that adds that extra flair. 🌟🔍

[i] Boyzone - Picture of You [/b]

"Screenshot of Saira"

Didn't they say that I would choose a cliche
Didn't they say puzzles were so overrated
People told me it's just another foray
I couldn't see it, I didn't wanna know

I loaded up, and the game pulled me in
It messed my mind, got my neurons in a spin
Left me pondering, where does the storyline go?
I was intrigued, how was I to know that

The levels were there, when I needed a challenge
The universe revealed, the only one that could enchant me

I had a screenshot of "Saira" in my mind
Never knew it could be so unique
Why'd it take me so long just to find
The game that was there all along

Who'd believe that after all these game views
I'd be able to crave the puzzles it'll choose
Goes to show, you can't predict the unknown
Looking back, I've found a gem that's shone 'cause

The levels are there, when I need a thrill
The universe unfolds, the only one that could fulfill

I had a screenshot of "Saira" in my mind
Never knew it could be so clever
Why'd it take me so long just to find
The game that was there all along

The levels are there, when I need a challenge
The universe revealed, the only one that could enchant me

I had a screenshot of "Saira" in my mind
Never knew it could be so unique
Why'd it take me so long just to find
The game that was there all along

Had a screenshot of "Saira" in my mind (all along)
Never knew it could be so unique (all along)
Why'd it take me so long just to find
The game that was there all along

Had a screenshot of "Saira" in my mind (all along)
Why'd it take me so long, baby

[hr]
Ryan George Style Pitch Meeting: "Saira" on Steam

Publisher: So, you have a game for me?

Developer: Yes, sir, I do!

Publisher: Great! What’s it about?

Developer: Saira is a puzzle platformer where you play as Saira, a galactic photographer who wakes up to find she’s the last person in the universe. No weapons—just her brains and agility as she explores seven star systems and solves over 60 puzzles.

Publisher: Oh, interesting. So, what’s the gameplay?

Developer: Oh, it’s super easy, barely an inconvenience! You’ll navigate stunning, high-resolution worlds, solve intricate puzzles, and explore a universe that’s like a cosmic art gallery. Think of it as a mix between a scavenger hunt and a jigsaw puzzle, with zero space lasers.

Publisher: No combat, huh?

Developer: Exactly! Just brainpower and platforming. Imagine a brain gym set in a beautiful, mysterious universe. Plus, Saira’s agility will keep you on your toes!

Publisher: Oh, really? And what’s her deal?

Developer: Saira’s a galactic photographer who’s now the last person in the universe. She uses her wits to solve puzzles and uncover secrets. The game features 11 layers of parallax scrolling and a two-hour soundtrack, making it feel like you're exploring a living, breathing galaxy.

Publisher: That sounds cool. But how about the endings?

Developer: I don’t know! There are six endings based on your choices and puzzle solutions. It’s like if you had six different ways to end a choose-your-own-adventure book, but in space and with more existential pondering.

Publisher: Oh, very rude! How do you ensure those endings are satisfying?

Developer: I’m gonna need you to get all the way off my back!

Publisher: Alright, let me get off of that thing.

Developer: To sum up, Saira combines challenging puzzles with a visually stunning universe, and a soundtrack that makes space feel even more immersive. It’s a cosmic adventure with more brainpower and less firepower.

Publisher: Amazing!

Developer: Thanks! We’re excited for players to dive into Saira’s galaxy and put their puzzle-solving skills to the test.

Publisher: Well, okay then!

End of Meeting

Game has an overlay with the game code that won't go away unless you shift+tab. Doing so will put your community (friends list) over the middle of it and it can't be x'd because of the resolution of the game. You can ignore it, and just play with it on... I guess... but it's pretty buggy. (I'm assuming you can make the window bigger in settings? Dunno. Pretty dumb though.)

After you get into the game... keybindings are dumb. This is a platformer with no controller support? lol? And movement is with the arrow keys? What is this 1980's cassette tape medium game? Atari had a better user control scheme.

I gave up at the point where it told me that I had to press the up arrow with my right hand as I jumped with S to wall climb higher. - 1) bad game design to just flat out tell a player to do something... Hey Listen! 2) I don't do Yoga much with my body much less with my fingers. I don't play piano. I'm not trying to give myself carpal tunnel syndrome to play a game.

I have played through this multiple times already. More hours on the non-Steam version.
Saira has always been one of my favorite Nifflas games. The movement system is very fleshed out and I love the puzzles.
It captures the sense of adventure and exploration perfectly, while always having that lingering feeling of loneliness. I love it.


And its free now! This used to cost money. Get it and love it.

Do you remember games like Knytt, Deep Within A Forest and the like fondly?
If so, get this.

I actually came back to this page to scout how much it costs as a christmas gift to a friend of mine, and found out they changed it to be a free game. Seriously, try it!

I think nifflas makes the best platfomers out there. This one is no exception. You become attached to the character and worlds by the end. I wish he'd make a sequel to this one.

If you even remotely like platformers, you should play this.

It's not incredibly long (there's only maybe 3 hours of gameplay here tops) and there are no further downloadable "episodes", but the content you do get is great. The use of photography as a gimmick for solving puzzles is substantially more fun than you would expect, the puzzles that don't involve it are traditional but still entertaining fare, and the core platforming is very solid. There's also very good music, both in the ambient stuff you'd expect from a Nifflas game and some interesting funk and rock on the ship radio.

Considering it's $10 tops (and like $5 or less on a sale day) you've got no excuse not to buy this.

A newer game that's still typical of Nifflas' work. Has a bit of everything - a world map, platforming, some plot, puzzles that act as roadblocks, and, for some reason, the ability to take pictures. Some of the photography and puzzle mechanics seem a bit out of place, but it's still both goergous and kind of tricky. Short, but worth it.

A profund masterpiece. A work of art. SERIOUSLY - I'm not just being dramatic. The game is so pretty that it makes you want to throw up. I;ve never played anything close to it. It's like playing a live album cover from the 70's.

Was a promising title, but far too short. The full game only includes 'episode 1,' and the developer doesn't plan to finish the story. The level/campaign editor is incredibly difficult to learn and the developer offers no guides or help, so custom content is nonexistant.

☑ Platforming
☑ Space exploration
☑ Depth
☑ Puzzles
☑ Fun minigames
☑ Decent story
☐ Well known

Super polished, fairly cerebral, and does a nice job of putting the emphasis on exploration. If you like any of Nifflas's previous works (Knytt, Knytt Stories, Nightsky, Within A Deep Forest), then Saira is probably a game to check out.

If you ever played a Niklas "Nifflas" Nygren game, like say, Knytt Stories, then this si more of the same, only prettier and even more "zen", so to speak. If you enjoyed his previous works, odds are, you'll enjoy this too.
Pity however, that it's so short. But it's a short and beautiful journey.

This game is pretty great. Wonderful platforming (especially with a gamepad, configuration software required), and some really devilish puzzles. The atmosphere is beautiful, with colorful backgrounds and spacey ambient sound and music. Developed by the creator of Knytt Stories.

Wow, I never expected this game to be any good. But it is. It's a puzzle platformer, but it actually manages to do something new. You have to take pictures (with passwords, or to identity creatures for example), find items and hack stuff. And of course, you have to run, jump and fly like prety much all platformers out there.
The animations are fluid and it looks pretty cool (but basic). The controls are terrible though, I can't get used to them. I keep pressing them in random order to see what they do. I can't get the hang of it. Other than that, amazing little game.

[Rating: 72/100]

This game is surprisingly fun. Within 30 minutes of gameplay, I found myself with a good number of planets to explore, each with a very unique feel, including Saira's outfit. The scenary is really smooth and the mostly-friendly creatures (so far) make planets feel like places, not "levels" If only I didn't get so mad from platform pit-death!

Saira is like Knytt Stories+, same exploration feel with different abilities. Take pictures, play minigames, and find secrets! Main drawback is the editor is much more complicated, which means less custom maps. But if you like Knytt or Knytt Stories, you'll like Saira.

Nifflas makes some amazing platformers that rival the quality of Super Meat Boy; get on it, homodog: DL this and Nightsky and Within a Deep Forest and the Knytt games.

Absolutely love the works of Nifflas Nygren. I first became acquainted with his work by playing Knytt and then Knytt Stories. Saira is a highly polished version of that same ambient/exploratory gameplay that made those games so enjoyable.

Love, love, love this game. Just wish it had another story to play through.

Hi. You like platformers. Google Knytt Stories to preview the general feel and gameplay of this game. If you enjoy the cooled down, calm, and still quite challenging aspects of those games and their many downloadable expansions, then support the author of that game by purchasing this one.

Really.

How are you going to encourage more games like this to come out without giving them the incentive and sense of comfort necessary to make them commit their time and money to making new ones? Thanks!

Saira is a large and non-linear adventure platformer that has you exploring planets and flying to other galaxies with your space ship, solving puzzles and collecting the parts you need to return home. The visuals have a nice style to them and the soundtrack is quite peaceful. If you enjoy games like Knytt Stories (same developer) then definitely check this out.