Video Game Review: Venba

Release Year: 2023
Reading Year: WI2023
Developer/Publisher: Visai Games
Time to Beat: 1 Hours

Thoughts: This game received a lot of critical praise in 2023. The closest I can come to understanding why that would be is the Green Book effect. The writing feels timid and the story safe. I appreciated the perspective of the mother as that is rare in any medium, but wish they had leaned into more complex dialogue. You can’t say that it’s too short for that, look at What Remains of Edith Finch or really any AnnaPurna game. The recipe book conceptually is a powerful and grounding object in the game, but it doesn’t pan out that way. I wish there was more heart and introspection from the act of reading and cooking.

It’s an okay game with a lot of untapped potential.