And Roger Review
And Roger shows us that we are more than our memories.
I really gravitate towards short and artsy games that explore the complexities of the human condition in both straightforward and abstract ways. And Roger, developed by TearyHand Studio, has somehow blended each of these approaches perfectly into one experience. I’m going to be as vague as possible regarding details of the story, as I believe it’s best to go into this game knowing as little as possible. If you love games like Florence, Miniatures, and Enjoy The Diner, I’m going to recommend that you actually pick up this game before reading any further. It will only take you an hour and a half, but make sure you play with care and check in with yourself while playing. Mainly, just be ready to feel something.
For those too curious to pause reading, I want to start by saying that the beginning of this game had me feeling mentally and physically unwell. Was this secretly a horror game and I didn’t realize it? My stomach was churning and my heart was racing. I had to turn off the audio for a few minutes, as the sounds of quick footsteps and sharp banging on doors was simply too much for me to handle. It was just me and my steam deck in the dark after all, and I was wondering what I had signed up for after managing to make it through the first chapter of three.
And Roger in Action
The stress was so prominent that I couldn’t focus on solving the seemingly simple point-and-click style puzzles that were strangely and beautifully presented to me, symbolizing a world of confusion and discontent for our main character. What must it be like to live in her head? This game will earnestly show you and it won’t be easy to digest or comprehend.
Despite the perfectly outlined visual art style and crystal clear sound effects, and Roger left me feeling both in awe and confused during much of my playthrough. I believe that evoking confusion was an intentional choice of the developers, and the way that we are given pieces of story in little fragments that occasionally remain somewhat unclear make the game feel like a disorienting masterclass in creative storytelling. There are very prominent moments of fear, sorrow, warmth, happiness, and yes, love, in such a small and cohesive package. This game portrays the complexity of illness and how it impacts our relationship with ourselves and others in a way that I could have never seen coming. I have to give my respect to something so genuine and unique, which is perfectly supported by smooth and creative game mechanics and absolutely stellar artistic design from top to bottom.
Despite the perfectly outlined visual art style and crystal clear sound effects, and Roger left me feeling both in awe and confused during much of my playthrough. I believe that evoking confusion was an intentional choice of the developers, and the way that we are given pieces of story in little fragments that occasionally remain somewhat unclear make the game feel like a disorienting masterclass in creative storytelling.
Simplicity in design, complexity in storytelling
Similar to some of the games I mentioned earlier, and Roger boasts a hand drawn art style with a two toned limited color palette that changes slightly in each chapter. Images are outlined in such a way that I always know what I’m looking at, until I don’t. Just when I thought I might have an understanding of what was going on, the game throws in some abstract vibes with rapidly moving dots across my screen that I must click on in a specific order.
The game was asking me to navigate perplexing pathways, half hidden and obstructed by strange obstacles made up of distorted objects. What exactly am I looking at, here? At times, I was frustrated by the lack of clarity, as I was expecting something straightforward. Again, I think this is a deliberate choice. Every bit of confusion was reinforced by mechanics, visuals, and sound. I have to imagine our main character is really feeling this, too.
And Roger Trailer
As a gamer, it has taken me a few years to learn that some of my most cherished titles will not always leave me feeling warm and happy or like I had had fun upon completion. I still don’t know where this game sits for me in those terms. I do know that the developers expertly used gaming as a medium to put you in the shoes of someone having a very specific and, sadly, common experience. However, I want to be clear that the moments of sweetness are also present, so it didn’t feel like a complete downer for my entire playthrough.
To be honest, I’m not sure if this game is for everyone. I’m still not sure if it’s for me but, as I mentioned earlier, I really appreciate the experiences that leave me feeling something. Especially when they give me the ability to understand a small version of someone’s lived experience that differs from my own.
Kate’s Score: 8.5/10
Kate was provided with a review key of Instants by Stride PR
About No Small Games
No Small Games is an indie game recap and review podcast brought to you by hosts Kate and Emily! They became friends while streaming on Twitch and bonded over their love of indie video games. In each episode of No Small Games, the two will discuss an indie game they both played independently. They’ll compare their experiences: the good, the bad, their most memorable moments of their playthroughs.
Learn more about the podcast and its hosts on the About page.