GRAPHIC | Tara Espinoza
There is a charm that comes with the pixel art style in games. It evokes nostalgia and a comforting memory of when some of us first picked up a game. Despite the simplistic style, these artworks’ capsules are enjoyable to play with and impressive in translating their message in constrained proportions. Below are my own experiences with the games I have listed.
“Potion Permit”
Released Sept. 22, 2022, “Potion Permit” became a game that captured many people’s attention, including mine. The foraging aspect and interaction with NPCs are reminiscent of the popular release “Stardew Valley,” but what makes it stand apart is its concept of creating potions.
As the new chemist, your goal is to heal the island of Moonbury from the former chemists who could not complete their experiments due to the residents’ growing distrust in the chemists’ practices. The story is full of misunderstandings, and trying to win over the residents’ trust can be frustrating because of someone else’s actions. However, once you win over their favor by restoring the land and bringing back extinct plant species, the resident NPCs have their own stories that’ll bloom alongside them.
“Potion Permit” is a great game to indulge in whenever you feel like brewing potions, exploring new biomes, or meeting unique personalities. If you enjoy taking adventures day-by-day and digestible story games, “Potion Permit” is worth checking out.
“Garden Story ”
“Garden Story” may pique your interest if you enjoy action RPGs. This adorable game follows a grape (yes, grape!) named Concord, who becomes the village guardian. The premise of this game is similar to “Potion Permit,” where you explore new biomes, upgrade your tools, and fight to protect the environment and the cute inhabitants that reside in it.
I picked up this game on the Nintendo Switch over a year ago, and I was immediately charmed by the unique character designs, storyline, and side quests. There wasn’t a moment of boredom I felt playing the game. I would be so immersed in the game that I would lose track of time.
I highly encourage you to give “Garden Story” a try! It’s a simple and easy game to navigate. Plus, you can collect hats to give Conrad a spiffy new and unique look.
“Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion”
To continue the theme of fruits and veggies, “Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion” is next on the list. The title of the game is as comical as the game itself. From the very start, the game’s silliness is the main element when it comes to charm. We play as a turnip who (you guessed it) avoids paying taxes and has to pay back his debts to the corrupt vegetable government.
This action RPG is very similar to “Garden Story,” but the fighting is more intense. Unlike “Garden Story,” Turnip Boy has dungeon gameplay where the player progresses through levels fighting different enemies until they reach the dungeon’s boss. My reaction time could be better, so that may have to do with my difficulty passing the first boss we face in the game. I died multiple times but was so determined to progress in the story that I eventually overcame the challenge.
If you enjoy the lighthearted and funny dialogue, “Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion” is a game that will make you crack a smile, at the very least. From the engaging gameplay, captivating visuals, and plot, “Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion” is a delightful franchise worth trying.
