30 Birds

Genre: Graphic Adventure

Players: 1

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Review:

30 Birds is an odd Graphic Adventure game released in 2024 on PC and ported in 2025 to Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. Set in the strange mythical world of Lantern City, players take the role of Zig, a detective tracking down a mysterious figure called The Scientist, who has just kidnapped the bird deity Simurgh. To track him down, you’ll need to gather together the titular 30 birds who together can perform a ritual enabling you to find the Simurgh and in turn catch The Scientist.

The world of Lantern City is bizarre and doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense. Its residents include all manner of talking animals, djinn, and other sorts of creatures, all with their own motives and agendas. And the city itself is literally a series of interconnected lanterns, with players moving along these 3D lanterns’ 2D sides, wrapping around one side to go to the next.

The presentation here is one of the most memorable parts of this game. Even though the use of 3D is simple, the beautifully-rendered, intricately-drawn worlds on the outside of the game’s lanterns are a beauty to behold, colorful and stylized in a way that evokes classic Persian art in keeping with the legends that this game’s world and characters are very loosely based on. This is backed by a soundtrack that’s oddly inspired by ska and reggae, which I suppose helps to add to this game’s unusual, unique presentation, even if it is oddly eclectic to use distinctly Jamaican music styles for a game based on Persian art and folklore.

Beyond the at times nonsensical world that not everyone will appreciate, I do have one other criticism here, and that is that there are times within the game that it really seems like the game could be offering the player more guidance as to what they’re supposed to be doing, particularly with some of the oddball puzzles you’ll be faced with. If you’re the sort who prefers no hand-holding, this may be much to your liking, but other players may find themselves frustrated.

Still, for a trippy game with a gorgeous art style, 30 Birds is worth checking out, if only to experience its bizarre world. The lack of direction and at times lack of anything that makes sense may make this a game that isn’t for everyone, but those who do enjoy it will probably love it.

tl;dr – 30 Birds is a Graphic Adventure set in an odd world where players explore Persian-inspired 2D art on the sides of 3D lanterns, as players take the role of a detective hunting down a mysterious Scientist who has captured the bird deity known as The Simurgh. At times strange and nonsensical, and lacking direction in a way that will frustrate some players, 30 Birds is nevertheless compelling thanks to its gorgeous presentation and bizarre world. This game won’t be for everyone, but if you think you might enjoy it, I recommend giving it a try.

Grade: B

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