“NO STRAIGHT ROADS” devs’ “Ondeh Ondeh: Kaya’s Great Umami Adventure” mixes rhythm, battles & puzzles for colorful fun [Preview]

"Ondeh Ondeh: Kaya's Great Adventure" (hereinafter referred to as "Ondeh Ondeh") is a rhythm and puzzle action-adventure game developed by Metronomik, a Malaysian game studio known for "NO STRAIGHT ROADS," and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

The “Ondeh Ondeh” in the title refers to a traditional sweet popular in Malaysia and other regions, and this game incorporates Southeast Asian elements—such as cuisine, music, and culture—into its world. Having had the opportunity to play an early version, this article delves into the charms and features of *Ondeh Ondeh*.

A World Full of Unique Comedy That Will Captivate You!

The game is set in a world called “Selera.” Here, the physical manifestations of “flavors”—which embody rhythm—are called “Ondes.”The World Builders who created this world utilize Ondes according to each flavor, and to revive flavors that fade over time, every 100 years the World Builders and the “Giants”—colossal beings composed of Ondes—gather for the “Ritual of Revival.”

The protagonist of this story is Kaya, a curious young girl born inside a bowl in the world of Serela. Raised by her father, Baba, and her mother, Mama, Kaya aspires to become a World Builder like her parents. To do so, she must overcome various trials, and Chapter 1 depicts her very first step on this journey.

Chapter 1 begins with a scene where Kaya and Baba play “Kaya Pretend Play” using the theme of the “Immortal Sun King.”It’s a lively exchange—typical of this game—that might make you think, “Wait, what’s going on?” right off the bat, but this section also serves as a tutorial where you’ll learn the basics of controlling Kaya, such as moving and attacking. Rather than learning the controls while being lectured on the game’s world, you’re drawn into the game by joining in on Kaya and Baba’s play, which conveys the game’s cheerful atmosphere right from the start.

After that, you head to Mama’s place and take on a mini-game where you make coffee. The process of brewing coffee—from launching coffee beans in time with the rhythm, to grinding them at just the right moment, and pouring hot water through the filter—is incorporated directly into the game. It’s not just a cooking-themed mini-game; it also lets you experience the game’s core mechanic of performing actions in time with the rhythm.

Once you’ve gotten a feel for the game’s atmosphere, Kaya’s trials to become a World Builder are revealed.Told only to “fill the big pot,” Kaya heads to Aunt Ara in Salty Village to find out more. Upon arriving in the village, she meets a giant dog named “Biribiri.” There, she’s asked to gather sheep to ride on Biribiri’s back. Kaya ends up wandering around the village in search of sheep.

Just when you think the grand trials to become a World Builder have begun, the very first task is to run around the village gathering sheep. This stark contrast in scale is typical of this game; rather than advancing the story solely through missions, Kaya’s adventure unfolds interspersed with comical interactions with the characters.

The World Itself Moves to an 8-Beat Rhythm

What’s particularly striking about this game’s gameplay is the rhythm that flows through the world. Serela is constantly in a state called “Octet,” where an 8-beat rhythm repeats, and Kaya’s actions and puzzle-solving are closely tied to this rhythm.

For example, in battle, you can perform up to three consecutive attacks by inputting commands in time with the beat. Rather than simply mashing buttons, the system requires you to be mindful of the flowing beat to chain your attacks together.

The rhythm isn’t limited to combat. Puzzles encountered during exploration are also tied to the beat; for example, placing a sheep in a puddle causes the puzzle to activate in time with the rhythm, allowing you to clear a path by interacting with the surrounding environment.During this hands-on demo, I also saw elements that allow you to progress by, for example, stomping your feet to tip over a pedestal or pushing a box into a hole.

This feels a bit different from simply “adding rhythm game elements to an action game.” Since Serela itself maintains a steady beat, you’ll naturally be mindful of that rhythm whether you’re attacking enemies or solving puzzles. Rhythm isn’t just a standalone element of the game—it exists as a fundamental rule that drives the world.

Additionally, Kaya seems capable of using a variety of actions—not just attacking, but also throwing and retrieving her spoon, as well as utilizing the power of Ondé. Since this hands-on session was early in the game, I wasn’t able to confirm all of her abilities, but I felt that movement, combat, and puzzle-solving were all integrated into the rhythm-based system.

“Doodles” and “Discoveries” That Make You Want to Take a Detour

While exploring, I was intrigued by the “Doodles” and “Discoveries” features available on the menu screen.In “Sketches,” the people Kaya meets during her adventure are gradually added to the collection. Rather than simply listing character names, the people Kaya encounters as she travels the world are preserved as sketches, so your progress through exploration accumulates as memories.

On the other hand, “Discoveries” lets you check out tips about the cuisine, nature, and culture of Serela. Simply approaching someone cooking a dish or an object placed in the field adds a new discovery.

During this demo, the “Discoveries” feature proved to be more intriguing than I expected. While you can move forward by focusing solely on the main objective, taking a slight detour reveals new information. Moreover, the details about Serela’s cuisine and culture are presented in such depth that simply reading the descriptions feels like it could take up quite a bit of time.

Furthermore, as you explore the field, you’ll also collect “Life Shards.” Gathering three of them increases your life gauge, which serves as a good incentive to take detours. Since the desire to discover new information overlaps with the goal of exploring to gain an advantage in the game, the design encourages you to look around as you walk rather than heading straight for your destination.

A Unique World That’s Fun Just to Explore

What left a strong impression on me during this early playthrough was the sheer joy of simply walking around Selera.The world, which incorporates Southeast Asian culture, is generally rendered in vivid colors, and the characters and objects on screen feel fresh and distinctive to Japanese players like myself. Furthermore, the combination of cuisine, music, and rhythm creates an atmosphere distinct from typical fantasy worlds.

The story’s tone is lighthearted, and interactions with the characters are peppered with humor. While Kaya has the grand goal of becoming a world-builder, the daily activities unfolding right before your eyes—like making coffee or herding sheep—have a strangely down-to-earth feel, and this contrast is part of the game’s charm.

As a result, playing the game feels like riding a theme park ride—you’re constantly looking forward to what will happen next. The combination of colorful visuals, upbeat music, unique characters, and a story laced with humor gave me the feeling that just playing the game lifted my spirits.

Although I was only able to play a small portion this time, even just from the early stages, it was clear that this game was created with a free-spirited approach. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how Kaya’s story as she pursues her dream of becoming a world-builder unfolds, as well as how the rhythm action and puzzle elements—which I didn’t get to experience this time—will develop.

“Ondeh Ondeh: Kaya’s Great Umami Adventure” is scheduled for release in 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC (Steam).

Please check the official website for details.

Ondeh Ondeh Kaya's Tasty Tale™ & ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia Pte. Ltd. ©METRONOMIK Sdn Bhd