Game Title: Retro Geemu, by Mirak

Synopsis: Two friends play an old console game: can one devout friend convince the cynical other to enjoy the game about a fairy granting his final wish?

Story: Two friends meet up to play a game, but their favourite games console is broken. However, the host has an older console and a beloved old game about a fairy who must grant his final wish. The guest is not convinced…

Gameplay: The game has a lot of going-to-places and finding-quest-objects-for-NPCs. There is one four-button puzzle and a follow-the-cat maze, but otherwise the puzzles are mainly dialogue led of the ‘go get me this item’ variety. The game map is nicely designed and deliberately small. You can rattle through this game in about an hour at most.

Look and feel: The graphics are really nice and it has a lovely retro 1980s console feel: the music is nice and the fonts are well-used in most places - but are a bit off when using some menu items. However, really that’s all – the game itself has some really nice bright colours and is very clean.

Summary: It is a wilfully hackneyed game, but the conceit of having two additional ‘narrators’ who are playing the game with you is a great trick: it makes the whole game refreshing and fun. It is packed with charm and great banter between the two friends throughout two game itself.

So, yes, you are playing a game about playing games, and enjoying the game you are playing. It is a great idea and is well executed.

Rating: I would rate this game 4.0 / 5.0 as there are some little niggles; personally I was disappointed with the swearing in the first and final dialogue between friends: it is apt for the game, but would mean it is not suitable for younger players as a result*. But that would be all, really struggling to find other things to mark the game down for, so would recommend this game a lot!

*So yes, I nit-picked the font-use and some minor casual swearing – I am super harsh, but also old, so am allowed to ;p