hypersweets
2022
This review contains spoilers
Aw man. I wanted to love this game but I'm not sure I'll be continuing it.
Pros:
• Cute, pleasing art style with cutscenes between chapters
• Fantastic accessibility features which allow below average rhythm gamers using Bluetooth speakers like me, to still score. (These include visual assist, a metronome, and wiggle room to get 'perfects').
• Relatable adult themes referenced (dating, work, exercise, the future, stress)
Cons:
• Music is not memorable and all blends together, similar to the art due to the colour scheme which hurts my eyes
• Too lo-fi to feel that hyper fun, but it's not relaxing either
• I've only finished the first chapter but none of the levels gave me that satisfying 'flow state' rhythm game feeling for too long
• Overall kind of mediocre in many respects. It's missing something.
Pros:
• Cute, pleasing art style with cutscenes between chapters
• Fantastic accessibility features which allow below average rhythm gamers using Bluetooth speakers like me, to still score. (These include visual assist, a metronome, and wiggle room to get 'perfects').
• Relatable adult themes referenced (dating, work, exercise, the future, stress)
Cons:
• Music is not memorable and all blends together, similar to the art due to the colour scheme which hurts my eyes
• Too lo-fi to feel that hyper fun, but it's not relaxing either
• I've only finished the first chapter but none of the levels gave me that satisfying 'flow state' rhythm game feeling for too long
• Overall kind of mediocre in many respects. It's missing something.
2021
If you're bad at puzzle games but still really enjoy them, this is for you. It has a very simple, approachable playstyle and easy difficulty level. It's cozy and perfect for winding down or if you need a distraction to calm down. I love short level games like these because I don't feel locked into a play session and can casually pull it up for a bit and then close it without feeling like I need to make the most of the session.
A sincerely beautiful game that tackles imposter syndrome, self-confidence, and the power of play. Chicory's message (and the mechanics it is imbedded in) remind me deeply of cartoonist Lynda Barry's work. Barry calls for non-artists to embrace creativity through drawing like you're a kid again. As adults we can become so self-conscious of our artistic abilities that we stop drawing, painting, and dancing. But Barry asks us to drop any expectations, and draw purely for the sake of play, connecting back to a childlike spirit, scribbling without a care in the world. Chicory provided space for me to reconnect with that.
I haven't drawn for fun like this in years! I haven't had a 64 pack of crayons and dozens of colouring pages set in front of me since I was a lil kid. I feel self-assured not as an artist in my craft, but as a creative person with creative needs. It feels so good to just paint for fun and not worry about how anything looks. Play is a gift.
I haven't drawn for fun like this in years! I haven't had a 64 pack of crayons and dozens of colouring pages set in front of me since I was a lil kid. I feel self-assured not as an artist in my craft, but as a creative person with creative needs. It feels so good to just paint for fun and not worry about how anything looks. Play is a gift.
2021
Underrated. Rare. Cathartic.
A gamechanger in the Visual Novel genre within comedic timing, voice acting and accurate portrayal of it's era through hilarious characters. Basically it's a late 2000s period piece that actually gets the vernacular details right. It never gets boring and you can lay back and watch it like a movie while you eat. Especially satisfying for alt girls struggling with unwelcome attention from smelly weebs.
Now go read this interview.
A gamechanger in the Visual Novel genre within comedic timing, voice acting and accurate portrayal of it's era through hilarious characters. Basically it's a late 2000s period piece that actually gets the vernacular details right. It never gets boring and you can lay back and watch it like a movie while you eat. Especially satisfying for alt girls struggling with unwelcome attention from smelly weebs.
Now go read this interview.