Florence

It’s worth noting, though, that if you’ve previously played Florence on mobile, the Switch or PC version offers nothing extra. It’s simply a new way to play it for those who may not game on their phone. You’re paying slightly more for the privilege (it’s £5/$6 on Switch and £4.79/$6 on PC compared to £3/$3 on iOS/Android), but it’s still very much worth it. And despite its short, singular narrative, it’s one I will undoubtedly visit multiple times. Just because it’s so touchingly beautiful.

But, what is Florence? It's an evocation of the beauty, sadness and hope that comes from any human connection we make in our lives, whether with art, nature or another person. It's a succinct and incredibly successful exploration of moments you'll recognise from your own life, and the way it mirrors thoughts and feelings through small gameplay mechanics makes it one of the most affecting experiences we've enjoyed on Switch, or any other platform.

Through the highs and lows of a newfound love, Florence is a wonderfully told and emotive story that engages you in such simple, but effective ways.

Portraying love and relationships in games can be tricky, and developers often struggle with how much interactivity, or even significance, should be given to intimate moments. Florence, an interactive graphic novel, finds a powerful balance in its exploration of love, offering a breathtaking experience.

I haven't been touched by a love story like this since reading Scott McCloud's The Sculptor, a wonderful and affecting graphic novel. Fullbright is probably the only other developer that could claim to do love right with Gone Home, but Mountains can stand proudly alongside them. In a medium so fixated on hurting others, it's refreshing to enjoy a slice of life story about the complexities of love, romance and life itself.