Dordogne
- June 13, 2023
- UN JE NE SAIS QUOI
- 5h median play time
Dordogne is a stunning hand-painted story about family and finding out who you are.
"Dordogne" is a single-player platformer game with an intriguing story, exceptional visuals, and a compelling soundtrack. As the protagonist Mimi, you explore the picturesque Dordogne region, recalling memories of your childhood and uncovering lost family secrets. The game features stunning hand-painted watercolor environments and allows you to collect and document photos, sounds, and scents in your journal, creating a unique and nostalgic reflection of your journey.
Reviews
- The game features stunning watercolor art that beautifully captures the nostalgic essence of childhood memories.
- The story is heartfelt and touching, exploring themes of family, loss, and self-discovery, which resonates deeply with players.
- The overall atmosphere is cozy and immersive, making it a delightful experience for those looking for a relaxing narrative-driven game.
- Gameplay mechanics can feel clunky and overly simplistic, often leading to frustration during interactions.
- The narrative resolution feels rushed and leaves many questions unanswered, which may disappoint players seeking a more fulfilling conclusion.
- The game is linear with limited exploration, which can detract from the sense of immersion and player agency.
- story331 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in "Dordogne" is widely praised for its beautiful, heartfelt, and nostalgic themes, focusing on family, loss, and the journey of self-discovery. While the visuals are stunning and enhance the storytelling, some players feel the narrative can be linear and occasionally lacks depth, leaving certain plot elements unexplored. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy emotional, story-driven experiences, despite its brevity and some pacing issues.
“The art style is breathtaking, the story is beautiful and heart-wrenching, and the soundtrack is incredible.”
“Dordogne is an absolutely beautiful game that tells a quaint and simple story.”
“The story is sweet and very emotional at the same time; it has a very deep meaning to it. I shed a few tears, not going to lie.”
“The story, though very occasionally cute, is painfully unoriginal, filled with plot holes and entirely forgettable.”
“Instead of feeling like an active participant in the unfolding story, I often felt like a passive observer being led from one predetermined point to another.”
“There seemed to be two or three chapters of introductory game mechanics, without much plot cohesion, then just as things were warming up, after 4.2 hours of gameplay, the game suddenly ended.”
- graphics216 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning watercolor art style, which evokes nostalgia and beautifully captures the essence of the story and its settings. Many players find the visuals to be the standout feature, describing them as mesmerizing and heartwarming, although some critique the game for prioritizing aesthetics over gameplay substance. Overall, the artwork is considered a major draw, enhancing the emotional experience of the narrative.
“The hand-painted watercolor art style is simply mesmerizing.”
“The game brilliantly captures the essence of a beautiful journey through its stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling.”
“The art style is breathtaking, the story is beautiful and heart-wrenching, and the soundtrack is incredible.”
“👎 Style over substance: much like a cupcake without frosting, Dordogne focuses too heavily on its aesthetics, leaving players craving substance.”
“However, despite its aesthetic allure, I find myself unable to wholeheartedly recommend it due to several significant shortcomings that hinder its overall enjoyability and immersion.”
“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.”
- emotional143 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its beautifully crafted narrative that explores themes of grief, loss, and familial relationships, often evoking strong feelings and nostalgia. Players appreciate the stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling, though some express discomfort with the portrayal of emotional abuse within family dynamics, which can resonate deeply and trigger personal memories. Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a touching, immersive experience, despite its bittersweet undertones.
“The game brilliantly captures the essence of a beautiful journey through its stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling.”
“Dordogne is a heartwarming game about family, past mistakes, and living life to the fullest.”
“The art style is breathtaking, the story is beautiful and heart-wrenching, and the soundtrack is incredible.”
- gameplay104 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Dordogne" is primarily story-driven, featuring simple mechanics such as exploration and light tasks that enhance the narrative rather than challenge the player. While the game boasts stunning visuals and a touching story, many reviewers noted that the mechanics can feel clunky and the gameplay lacks depth, making it more suitable for those seeking a casual experience rather than a puzzle-focused challenge. Overall, it offers a charming, albeit limited, interactive experience that emphasizes its artistic and emotional elements.
“Stunning graphics, enjoyable gameplay, very touching story.”
“It features varied gameplay with a good amount of interactivity, especially for a story-focused experience, with the two aspects blending together seamlessly.”
“With its beautiful artistic style and smooth gameplay, 'Dordogne' gives you an authentic experience of summer vacation in the French countryside.”
“The gameplay is very simple, so don't expect much in that department.”
“However, I wouldn't recommend this game to people who are looking for a puzzle game - this game was advertised as being one, but the puzzles in the game are very limited and the game doesn't offer that many hours of gameplay.”
“Worse still, the gameplay itself is just one frustration after another.”
- music69 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful, soothing melodies that enhance the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, complementing the stunning watercolor graphics and immersive storytelling. While most find the music charming and fitting, a few note that certain electronic elements may not align perfectly with the game's vibrant aesthetic.
“The soundtrack complements the visual experience perfectly, with soothing melodies that enhance the overall ambiance.”
“The art style is breathtaking, the story is beautiful and heart-wrenching, and the soundtrack is incredible.”
“The music adds another layer of depth to the game, making the experience even more immersive.”
“I did have one point that I felt detracted from the game’s overall feeling – the music choice.”
“I felt the game’s bright, vibrant color palette and style, and bucolic setting, did not mesh with the electronic, almost sci-fi soundtrack.”
“The background music is fitting and appropriate, if not a touch too melancholic at times, for my liking.”
- atmosphere32 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful art style, soothing music, and immersive details, creating a cozy and magical experience. Many reviewers highlight the emotional depth and nostalgic qualities of the environment, although some note that certain narrative elements detract from the overall wholesome vibe. Overall, the game is recommended for those who appreciate atmospheric and story-driven experiences.
“I appreciate the dedication put into crafting the intricate atmosphere and visually stunning art style of this game.”
“The constant belittlement and demeaning treatment of the protagonist by her family and peers felt not only unnecessary but also detrimental to the intended wholesome atmosphere.”
“The attention to detail in the art and animation is truly remarkable, creating an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and magical.”
“The atmosphere when playing is soothing and relaxing with its sounds and songs.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users consistently highlight the game's excellent replayability, indicating that it offers engaging content that encourages multiple playthroughs.
“Great replayability.”
“Great replayability.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of Dordogne has received mixed reviews, with some players noting that certain design choices feel outdated and performance issues arise, particularly as the game progresses, leading to clunky gameplay experiences.
“On its trip down the river, some of Dordogne’s design ideas feel stodgy, performance is sometimes flaky, and it leans into its clunkiest gameplay elements as it nears the end.”
Critic Reviews
Dordogne Review
On its trip down the river, some of Dordogne’s design ideas feel stodgy, performance is sometimes flaky, and it leans into its clunkiest gameplay elements as it nears the end. But to get hung up on these points is to miss a truly touching story bringing a beautiful world to life in sound and images. There’s a lot to reward you here if you can navigate the obstacles and just go with the flow.
70%Dordogne PC Review
Dordogne is a stunning hand-painted story about family and finding out who you are.
90%Dordogne (Switch) Review
A beautiful look back at childhood in the French countryside.
75%