From the Croatian studio known for the game Saint Kotar comes a new game of a completely different genre. It is the game Log Away, a game that, unlike its predecessor, does not have a dark and horror story but is relaxing and slower-paced. Log Away is the type of game that you will occasionally turn on to take a break from the grueling "sweating" of playing titles like League of Legends and CS2. But let's not prolong further, what is this new game actually about?

Log Away is a game where you take on the role of a person whose task is to build their own cabin, or rather, their home. Before you start building your home, of course, you need to choose the land on which you will build it. Additionally, the game offers a smaller feature in the form of professions and hobbies. Depending on which hobbies and professions you choose, the game will add new objects related to the theme of what you selected, along with the existing objects and materials for building and decoration. For example, if you choose that you are interested in art and music, you will receive a guitar that produces sound with a mouse click. 

You have chosen the land, you have chosen the hobbies, and now it is time to build. At first, the building seems quite interesting, but as time goes on, it becomes increasingly clear that the whole concept of building is just a skeleton of what could have been. For example, the grid within which it is possible to build is often limited in area, so the game does not leave enough space to make larger houses, and everything is somewhat restricted, requiring improvisation. Also, some of the key mechanics that I would say are the basis of this type of game are missing. The snap function is not available at all, so if you want to arrange pictures evenly and in a straight line, unfortunately, you have to do it by eye, which can often be quite tedious. 

Some mechanics regarding building are somewhat illogical and quite limited, such as the ability to change the appearance of walls, where if you want to change just one specific wall, unfortunately, that is not possible; changing the appearance of one wall immediately changes the appearance of all walls, which disappointed me quite a bit in a way. 

As for the visual part, I really have nothing bad to say. On the contrary, I would say that I am a bit sorry that the game is limited only to building because I think this concept could be expanded into something much more interesting where you are not limited to just building your own cabin. 

And what about optimization? I think the biggest problem in the game right now is optimization. I would expect more from this type of static game with a very limited world within which a person can move. Playing on graphics settings higher than medium simply makes the PC cry, so I really should work on that because the whole essence of the game is somehow for the player to enjoy the landscape and what surrounds them. 

Interaction with objects is often quite limited. Did you choose playing as a hobby? Great, you hope you can play. You set up the guitar and with a mouse click realize that you don't have many options regarding using the guitar, as it all ultimately comes down to the same sound with a mouse click. I expected there would be some mini-games or at least an option to actually play the guitar. 

Since we touched on sound, the sound in the game is excellently implemented in some elements, while in other parts, such as walking on different types of ground or opening doors, there is simply no sound. At the same time, while browsing through the types of decorations available, you come across a beehive and once you place it on the ground, you realize that you never want to have it next to the cabin due to the overpowering buzzing sound of the bees that cannot be reduced. 

To not prolong further, Log Away is a game that had a good idea and concept behind it, but unfortunately, the implementation is not the best executed. Due to missing elements or those that are not well implemented, you will often feel that once you build the cabin, that is the end of your gameplay. I sincerely hope that in the near future, the developers will focus more on optimization and adding improvements regarding gameplay once the cabin is completed.

Rating: 2.5/5

Game copy provided for review by the development studio The-Mark Entertainment