Dordogne

Dordogne is one of those quirky, off-beat indie games that has high ambitions for itself without ever taking itself too seriously. Developed by Un Je Ne Sais Quoi and published in partnership with Umanimation, the game is set to release for PC in 2021. The upcoming game carries the phrase “Un Je Ne Sais Quoi” throughout its marketing campaign, and while it is its developers name, it is also a french phrase often used to describe something which cannot be put into words.

A Painting You Can Game On

From the get-go one of the most notable things about Dordogne is its visuals and design. The game is in its entirety a work of art. Everything you see, every frame and every animation is hand drawn.

The untrained eye might not recognize the watercolor painting style of the game, but that surely won’t stop players from being impressed with what is shown. You can tell a lot of heart and love was poured into this project, and it's hard not to be excited by such a colorful and plentiful world.

Dordogne is an indie-adventure game that focuses on its narrative. Players control Mimi, a middle-aged woman revisiting the house of her grandmother, who recently passed away. This is a touching story that has all french dialogue, but don’t worry there are english subtitles available. We are met with heartwarming letters, and puzzles based on the summers Mimi spent with her grandmother over the years. Throughout Mimi’s journey there is a lot to unpack, it is a story that will resonate with adults, since her journey is an attempt to revive the way she marveled at the universe before her. This can be very relatable to various players, which can lead to a lot of self-reflection.

Take Your Time To Look Inside

This game is a point and click, exploration game at its mark. There really aren't action packed moments, or intricate combats. Dordogne is crafted in a way that invites players to revisit their own memories, and actually connect with the characters on screen. As you play the game the story jumps back and forth between Mimi’s adult and child versions, and both of them have unique puzzles to solve. Interestingly enough, the actions of ten year old Mimi, affect the current day Mimi’s journey.

Dordogne is focused on its puzzles, but the game’s core resides in the countless memorabilia, pictures, sounds, and objects spread throughout the game. Everything comes together in your own personalized journal, which expands Mimi’s connection to her grandmothers.

Conclusion

There is a lot to unpack emotionally in Dordogne, the narrative is going to hit home for those patient enough to uncover everything, and the magnificent hand made visuals will keep you impressed throughout the story.

PROS:

• One of the best looking indie game ever made
• Well Written Story
• Captivating Characters
• Relatable Moments and Journey
• Each Play Through Is Different

CONS:

• Slow Paced Game
• Reading Subtitles Can Displease Gamers