I’ve always wanted to see the world through the eyes of a visual artist, someone who just understands the basics of design and creating a masterpiece from simple colors. Nature and the world must be such a beautiful place to look at through those eyes. However, not everyone has that same sense of creating visual beauty, which leaves it up to real artists to convey it in a way that we all can understand.
That’s what makes games with mesmerizing visuals like Dordogne so appealing to me, plus the promise of recreating a time that I can personally never go back to. As someone who’s likely to be in a very similar position as the main character soon due to a family illness, it was surprising how much this game managed to strike a chord with me and pull my heartstrings in different areas.
While there were some minor visual and technical issues, Dordogne largely delivers on its promise in a What Remains of Edith Finch? exploration of a family and the hidden complexities that are found within every family.
Misplacing your memories for over a decade
Following the death of her grandmother, players will take on an adult character named MiMi who’s been tasked with cleaning out her grandmother’s things before the movers come and get rid of everything else. As mentioned above, it’s very reminiscent of Edith Finch in the parts it spends in the present day, with the main character trying to piece together things she doesn’t know.
However, the main difference in Dordogne is that within a few hours into the game, you can start to tell that the character might’ve locked away those memories on purpose. While it’s largely a peaceful game that explores different mini-games relevant to daily life and a loving grandmother, the game hints at something else going on under the surface.
It’s not the most compelling story ever written, but it’s perfect as a little summer game that you play while relaxing by the pool or hanging out in the park on a Nintendo Switch and Meta Quest. The controls aren’t overly complicated, if a little finicky, and I found the controller made for the easiest playtime in my several hours reviewing the game on PC.
While she starts out a little rough around the edges, like my real-life grandma, Nora is actually really sweet and I felt bad when I couldn’t find the ingredients she sent me to the market for. In the sections that take place in 1982, when Mimi was 12, the game really does a great job of nailing the feeling of getting in trouble with an adult and not being able to say the right thing or explain yourself.
This is done through the choice to unlock words as they appear in the world attributed to conversations, with Mimi marking them down in her journal alongside pictures she takes and photographs for her scrapbook. This is a fun side mechanic and helps put a period on each section in the past.
A colorful showcase that will make you long for summer
Dordogne has an art style that is largely painted, showing the colors of a European summer in all its glory. Throughout the journey, players will encounter different characters and puzzles, most of which are easy to understand and fun to look at due to the game’s unique and bright art style. It really feels like a lot of love went into the art and paintings in this title.
There are no monsters or any threats that would otherwise pose any danger, with Dordogne definitely being a more patient title. The gameplay is still awesome, with the player completing extremely short mini-games that are usually just moving an object around with the joysticks to its required spot, but it was pretty immersive for its simplicity.
It does follow a lot of similarities I’ve seen in other “wholesome games” like moving objects, organizing, or otherwise just doing menial tasks with a single button. While it hasn’t reached that point yet, eventually it feels like we’re gonna tip into the “Can You Pet the Dog” Twitter levels of gimmick. It’s cozy and it does work most of the time, but it’s also a crutch you can’t be too reliant on.
It appears that most of the backgrounds have been hand-painted, which is an impressive feat, but there seems to be some kind of glitch when objects are supposed to be passing through them or when the camera gets too close. You can either see the pixelation or a truck just suddenly disappears in a flash of light once it reaches the barrier.
Also, with there being so many mini-games, although they largely function the same, there are some issues with getting the game to respond. One of the more clear examples was brushing Mimi’s teeth which was so confusing at first, but not in a way that had a lasting impact.
The Final Word
Dordogne‘s beautiful scenery, comforting gameplay, and heartfelt story make it just as much a piece of summer art as it is a game. There are the occasional technical issues that affect visuals, but it’s nothing that will impact the best parts of the gameplay for most players.
8
Try Hard Guides was provided with a PC review copy of this game. Find more detailed looks at popular and upcoming titles in the Game Reviews section of our website!