Release Year: 2014
Reading Year: SP2025
Developer/Publisher: Ustwogames
Time to Beat: 1 Hours

Thoughts: Short, fun, and free with a Netflix sub! The art is a little dated, but my how far we have come. A much more pleasurable experience than Limbo, which felt so linear and forced. Is there only one way to go in Monument Valley? For the most part yes, but how you get to solve the puzzle feels so much more fluid and as if you actually come to your own conclusions. You can finish it in a sitting and it’s worth playing for the box level alone!

Release Year: 2022
Reading Year: SU2024
Developer/Publisher: Obsidian/Xbox Studios
Time to Beat: 23 Hours

Thoughts: The only context I had for Pentiment when I was gifted this game was, “it’s a lot of reading, but it’s worth it.” I was told it was beautiful and that the unique fonts for each character (and their scratchy, crunchy sound effects) would wow me. However, neither particularly hit me in the way I was hoping. I spent the first hour or so just… walking around. Having conversations that bored me and disconnected from the whorish artisan I had begun playing as. And then, everything changed.

Release Year: 2008/2012
Play Year: WI2023
Developer/Publisher: Atlas
Time to Beat:

Thoughts: Yep, I finally did it. The weeaboo who will pour countless hours into manga and anime is finally taking on the game. A game series that is world-renowned, exceptionally highly reviewed, and laden with anime references and literal anime cut-scenes.