Tchia

Tchia

game

2023, Adventure, Indie

WISE
92%

WISE Score

65%

IGDB

Think Moana meets Breath of the Wild, but you can turn into a coconut or a seagull and play a mean ukulele.

Where to Play

Xbox
Xbox
PlayStation
PlayStation
PC/Steam
PC/Steam
Nintendo
Nintendo
Screenwise Verdict

Tchia is the perfect antidote to the loud, flashy, microtransaction-stuffed games that dominate the market. It’s a 'vibes' game with actual substance, trading loot boxes for a ukulele and a heartfelt story about heritage.

It’s rare to find an open-world game that feels this personal and handmade. While the combat against 'fabric monsters' is a bit repetitive, the joy of jumping into a dolphin to swim across an archipelago is unbeatable. It’s a beautiful, soul-filling experience for kids who are ready for a slightly more mature story than Mario but aren't quite ready for the grit of teen-rated shooters.

Age Fit

Best for kids 9 and up. While the art looks like a Pixar movie, the story deals with some heavy folklore themes and a villain that might be too intense for the kindergarten crowd.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

The game is a love letter to New Caledonia, focusing on family, nature, and community. While there are some darker folklore elements involving a child-snatching villain, the overall tone is warm and grounded in cultural tradition.

Imaginative
94

The 'Soul-Jumping' mechanic allows players to inhabit over 30 animals and hundreds of objects. It turns the entire world into a creative physics playground rather than just a map to clear.

Safe
95

Single-player, offline, and completely free of microtransactions or predatory 'battle pass' loops. Fantasy violence is minimal, involving wooden/fabric enemies that burst into scraps.

Enriching
92

It offers genuine cultural immersion. The characters speak French and Drehu, the music is authentic to the region, and it teaches kids about a part of the world rarely seen in mainstream media.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • The 'Soul-Jumping' mechanic is pure magic—if your kid sees a bird or a crab, they can just be it.
  • It’s a masterclass in cultural representation, using real voices and traditions from New Caledonia.
  • The fully playable ukulele isn't just a gimmick; it’s a rhythmic tool used to interact with the world.
  • No 'live service' junk. It's a complete, artistic experience that respects the player's time.
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What to Watch For

  • The villain, Meavora, is legitimately creepy and has a habit of eating infants (off-screen but discussed), which might rattle sensitive younger kids.
  • The physics-based sailing and gliding can be a bit fiddly for kids used to more 'on-rails' movement.
  • Some story beats involve sacrifice and loss that hit harder than your average cartoon adventure.

Conversation Starters

  • "Where is New Caledonia on a map, and how does it look different from where we live?"
  • "If you could soul-jump into any animal right now, which one would it be and why?"
  • "What did you think of the way Tchia used music to solve problems instead of just fighting?"
  • "Why do you think the developers chose to keep the original Drehu language in the game?"

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