What kind of memories do you have with “picture books”?
When you were little, did you have bedtime stories read to you? Or perhaps you had a favorite picture book that you read over and over again. Some of you might even read picture books to your own children now.
As for me, I absolutely loved the Nontan series. I read them so many times that my books became completely worn out.
Today, I’d like to introduce a game that will surely bring back memories of those beloved picture books—Ruku’s Heart Balloon.
What kind of game is it?
Game Title: Ruku’s Heart Balloon
Genre: Puzzle
Developer / Publisher: RucKygames (Developer), G-MODE (Publisher)
Platform: Nintendo Switch / Steam/Xbox
Price: 1,300 yen
Supported Languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese
A puzzle game that combines a heartwarming story with picture book-like illustrations and simple yet exhilarating puzzle mechanics. Designed for players of all ages, it offers an experience that feels like stepping into the world of a picture book.
A healing game where you can fully immerse yourself in the world of a picture book.
A soft and warm picture book-like world unfolds as Ruku the Rabbit and Rishu the Cat gather flowers to create the Heart Balloon.
Both Ruku and Rishu have voices that perfectly match their characters. They speak slowly and gently, making it feel as if you are being read a storybook aloud.
The world, atmosphere, illustrations, voice acting, and background music all blend together seamlessly, creating an unparalleled sense of immersion in the story. As you progress through the game, you’ll feel an overwhelming sense of relaxation, as if your heart is gently unraveling.
Relieve stress with exciting puzzle action!
In Ruku’s Heart Balloon, you progress through the story by solving puzzles.
The gameplay is simple: tap on two or more connected flowers of the same color, and they will disappear, turning into heart balloons. If you select a group of five, all five will vanish at once.
Since flowers are often connected in large clusters, tapping them makes them disappear in a satisfying chain reaction. The feeling is incredibly refreshing! When a big group of flowers disappears, new ones drop in from above with a thud, creating a thrilling cycle of clearing and refilling. You’ll find yourself addicted to the sheer excitement of clearing flowers in rapid succession—it’s just too satisfying!
Additionally, rainbow-colored flowers occasionally appear. When you select a rainbow flower, it removes any single, unconnected flowers on the board. This means that by carefully choosing your next move, you can clear all the flowers at once! It’s like entering a bonus time, making the experience even more satisfying!
The puzzles are simple and easy to grasp, making them enjoyable for children. You might think that the game is too easy for adults, but as you progress toward the later stages of the story, the difficulty ramps up, providing a real challenge. So, rest assured—adults can fully enjoy it too!
There are several game modes available:
- Story Mode (Ohanashi Mode) – Follow the story while solving puzzles.
- Free Mode – A relaxing mode where you can continuously create heart balloons.
- Puzzle Mode – Solve puzzles by clearing all the flowers on the board.
It’s great that the game offers not only a story mode but also extra modes for extended playtime! On top of that, there’s a Gallery Mode, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the charming world of Ruku’s Heart Balloon.
I felt relaxed the moment I started the game.
Right from the title screen, everything is incredibly cute. And then, a gentle yet slightly melancholic BGM starts playing in the background.
I was already feeling relaxed at this point. Do you know that feeling? Like a weight lifting off your shoulders, bringing a deep sense of calm.
As I progressed through the game, I found myself even more relaxed by the adorable interactions between Ruku and Rishu. Ruku has a way of coming up with completely out-of-the-box ideas, while Rishu reacts like, “Wait… seriously?” Their dynamic is so quirky and amusing that I couldn’t help but chuckle.
I’m the type who usually struggles with puzzle games, but I found the puzzles in Ruku’s Heart Balloon easy to clear and really enjoyable.
The difficulty balance in this game is just perfect! At first, you can progress smoothly without much thought, but as you advance, the puzzles gradually become more challenging. However, the game is designed in a way that naturally builds on your previous experience, so with a little thinking, you can still solve them. The difficulty increases at a gentle pace, making it enjoyable even for someone like me who isn’t great at puzzles. I had fun playing all the way to the end!
The ultimate healing game that soothes you in every way.
Ruku’s Heart Balloon is truly the ultimate healing game of the Reiwa era, where every single element contributes to relaxation. There’s no doubt that playing this game will leave you feeling calm and refreshed!
I played it on the Nintendo Switch, and it was a perfect match. Being able to play while lying in bed made the experience even more enjoyable—I highly recommend it!
This game is especially perfect for:
- Those who feel worn out from daily life
- Fans of picture books
- Parents looking for a game to enjoy with their children
If any of these sound like you, you should definitely give it a try!
Citations & References
The screenshots and information used in this article are based on the following sources:
- Screenshots: Captured from in-game footage of Ruku’s Heart Balloon (Nintendo Switch version).
- Game Features & Specifications: Referenced from the official Nintendo Switch store page for Ruku’s Heart Balloon.
Nintendo Switch : © RucKyGAMES / published by G-MODE Corporation.
Steam: © RucKyGAMES
Xbox：© RucKyGAMES
All images and content are the property of their respective developers and copyright holders.
This article was created to introduce the charm of Ruku’s Heart Balloon and is part of a website operated under a revenue model that includes advertisements. We strive to use screenshots within appropriate guidelines.
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