Dordogne

Dordogne’s unique selling point is undoubtedly its art style. It truly is beautiful – perhaps one of the most gorgeously animated games we’ve had the pleasure to play, even. And yes, the visuals alone are almost enough to carry the game. Despite the odd misstep, though, we did thoroughly enjoy the story and came to care for Mimi and her grandmother – as brief as our time with them was. It’s small, it’s quaint, but it’s touching – and it’s one of those special games that reminds you life is precious, fleeting and nothing should be taken for granted.

A simple, but sweet natured story about a young girl finding her feet and trying to do what's right to fix the rifts in her family. Dordogne doesn't demand much of you, but it luxuriates in the details that make life so special.

If you're looking for that perfect summertime narrative game, then look no further than Dordogne, as explained in this review. A truly breathtaking experience, you will lose yourself in this enchanting nostalgic trip in its gorgeous watercolor style.

I would go as far as to say that this is not a game but a masterpiece: meant to be observed and appreciated rather than played with. I did not want to put it down or look away and when it ended, I longed for more of the story.

Dordogne is a delightful indie trip down memory lane that's packed full of emotion, alongside a surprising number of ways in which to interact with its watercolour world. Mimi's story may be a slight one, but the short running time and simplicity of the narrative add to the charm here. This is a game about reconnecting with your childhood, rediscovering long-lost memories and re-engaging with the things that make you who you are. If you've got a Game Pass subscription and a handful of hours to spare, this is one heartfelt little journey that's well worth taking.

Dordogne is a delight. A picturesque and poignant journey that will touch your memories and your heart in equal measure.

These can be used to create pages in her scrapbook for players to be creative with. But besides a few mandatory pages, the player can ignore this and simply choose to indulge in the narrative and the beauty of the Dordogne. Water colours and sharp pencil lines bring the countryside to life alongside a mixture of 2D hand-drawn environments and 3D objects and characters. The cutscenes are a treat (especially in French) and I found myself spending quite a bit of time simply looking around and feeling the life of this quaint little French town.

Dordogne is a beautiful watercolour adventure through childhood mystery, suitable for the cosiest of gamers.

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.

Video games can tell stories in a manner that is unique to the medium. While certain experiences offer an archetypal Hollywood structure, others opt for a more nuanced approach that drip-feeds information. Dordogne sits firmly in the latter and tells a cozy story about family, childhood, and lost memories, but is this nostalgic trip to the south of France worth taking?

Mon Dieu. After eagerly awaiting Dordogne to release for over a year now, I was elated to finally get my hands on it. A narrative-focused adventure set within the French countryside, depicted through watercolor paintings? Dordogne seemed like it was tailor-made for me. Unfortunately, I came to discover that its appeal was mostly style over substance.