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 artwork that beautifully captures the nostalgic atmosphere of the French countryside.
- The story is heartfelt and touching, exploring themes of childhood memories, family relationships, and emotional growth.
- The soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, creating a cozy and immersive experience that resonates with players.
- Gameplay can feel overly simplistic and linear, with limited interactivity and repetitive mechanics that may not engage all players.
- The resolution of the story feels rushed and leaves some plot points unresolved, which can be disappointing for those seeking a deeper narrative.
- Controls can be clunky and unintuitive at times, leading to frustration during interactions and navigation.
- story161 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and beautiful, heartfelt themes surrounding family, loss, and nostalgia, often described as touching and engaging. While the visuals are stunning and enhance the storytelling experience, some players feel the narrative can be linear and occasionally lacks depth, leading to a sense of being guided rather than actively participating. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate cozy, story-driven experiences, despite some critiques regarding pacing and plot cohesion.
“The art style is breathtaking, the story is beautiful and heart-wrenching, and the soundtrack is incredible.”
“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.”
“Dordogne is an absolutely beautiful game that tells a quaint and simple story.”
“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.”
- graphics107 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 3 % 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 game's themes. Many reviewers highlight the artwork as a primary reason for their interest in the game, describing it as mesmerizing and unique, with vibrant visuals that enhance the storytelling experience. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are exceptional, they may overshadow gameplay elements, leaving players desiring more substance.
“The watercolor graphics are beautiful, and the soundtrack is a bit of magic.”
“The art style is breathtaking, the story is beautiful and heart-wrenching, and the soundtrack is incredible.”
“Dordogne is a narrative-driven game that has stunning watercolor graphics.”
“👎 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.”
“While the artwork is the clear draw of the game, the story itself is well executed.”
- emotional70 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 deep personal reflections from players. While many find the storytelling heartfelt and touching, some reviews highlight the presence of emotional abuse within the narrative, which can resonate uncomfortably with players' own experiences. Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a visually stunning and emotionally rich experience, though potential players should be aware of its heavier themes.
“The game brilliantly captures the essence of a beautiful journey through its stunning visuals and heartfelt storytelling.”
“The narrative is touching and evocative, weaving a tale that is both personal and universally relatable.”
“Dordogne is a heartwarming game about family, past mistakes, and living life to the fullest.”
- gameplay49 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Dordogne" is primarily simple and casual, focusing on exploration and light tasks that advance the story, which some players find enjoyable despite its lack of challenge. While the mechanics can feel clunky and the gameplay is often described as linear and predictable, the stunning visuals and emotional narrative compensate for these shortcomings, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a story-driven adventure. However, players looking for complex puzzles or extensive gameplay may find it lacking.
“Come for the visuals, stay for the gameplay and the story.”
“The game 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.”
“While Mimi and her grandma are adorable, and the urge to uncover the 'mystery' is compelling, the game isn't without flaws: some mechanics feel a bit clunky (sometimes even... childish?) and the mystery's resolution doesn’t fully satisfy.”
“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.”
- music34 mentions
- 68 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with soothing melodies that complement the stunning watercolor graphics. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as charming, relaxing, and perfectly suited to the game's emotional narrative. While some note a slight disconnect between the music's electronic elements and the game's vibrant aesthetic, the majority agree that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the cozy and nostalgic atmosphere.
“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.”
“Beautiful watercolor art and soundtrack.”
“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.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 6 % 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 elements that enhance the overall vibe, although some note that certain narrative choices detract from the intended wholesome feel. Overall, the game is celebrated for its stunning visuals and captivating atmosphere, making it a compelling choice for fans of story-driven experiences.
“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.”
“I loved this game, it's gorgeous, atmospheric, and the story is hitting every department of the emotional register.”
“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.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users highlight the game's strong replayability, indicating that it offers engaging content and experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“The game offers fantastic replayability with multiple endings and diverse character choices.”
“Each playthrough feels fresh due to the random events and different paths you can take.”
“I love how the game encourages you to try different strategies, making every run unique.”
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%