I met Alex Strook, the director of this game, through a Ponyo (Studio Ghibli) documentary translation project and learned he had created a game with Ghibli inspiration! I can confirm upon completion of "The Spirit and the Mouse" that it's filled with humor and heart. While the gameplay may be for children, it has a wise and optimistic soul in its themes. It's a story about the power of genuine kindness and care. And even includes some pertinent environmental themes I think would make Miyazaki proud. In ways it hearkened back to the simplicity of a 90s educational adventure game from my childhood "Mixed Up Mother Goose" where you need to help each member of a storybook town. Any young child (old enough to use a controller) would adore this game. And it's perfect for a family play-together and Ghibli fans in general. You'll laugh, you'll squeak, your heart will be warmed!
The Riven of 97' was a work of art and Cyan have done it again. The level of craft and love put into this remake is impeccable. The changes made are thoughtful and respectful to the spirit of the original, while simultaneously diving into new territory that put me in shock, awe and delight. It's wonderful to know original creatives such as Richard Vander Wende (art/design) and Robyn Miller (music) were able to return for this version. And inspiring to see new voices such as Eric Anderson and Hannah Gamiel innovate and lead the way forward with their vision. Cyan continues to prove that interactive media is capable of the level of craft, care, artistry and thoughtfulness that we expect of literature/film. May they continue to flourish.
Kapia is a charming sci-fi fable told from the perspective of a grandfather and granddaughter's bond while making their way through a divided world. There's a handcrafted quality to Kapia which is evidenced by the genuine passion of the creators. The 3D art style is wonky, playful and expressive while simultaneously showcasing moments of beautiful craft and design. The musical score is lovely and complements each scene well. Each load screen comes with a charming child's drawing illustrating moments of the narrative, animated in a dynamic and mesmerizing way. There are many memorable one liners, playful and endearing moments with Reny (the granddaughter) and her robot friend, with great comedic timing. The controls are smooth, the world is engaging to explore and the puzzles are a nice balance of difficulty. The two main character's voice acting are in particular well performed, warm and entertaining. Despite being sci-fi the game has a mythic, storybook quality that resonates. It's fun to uncover the mystery of the narrative. And there's a nice balance of lightness, comedy and playfulness with more serious themes (on society and technology). This game feels so classic, imaginative and unpretentious. It embodies the heart and soul of what I loved about discovering adventure games in the first place. <3
