LudoNarraCon 2021 was held last weekend and with it a feature of some amazingly interesting and innovative narrative games. This unique digital-only convention celebrates some truly memorable games that put narrative at the forefront. Hosted by indie game label Fellow Traveller, from the 23rd – 26th of April 2021. It’s was streamed live on Steam with 12 hours of panels, and exhibits. It’s free to attend, so we did. Check out the full convention details over here.
This year LudoNarraCon featured over 40 amazing games from the genre. While we’re all about a great story it’s Monday over here and we decided to do a feature on good vibe games. Because let’s be real we all need those feel-good moments after a long day of work. So we here we have 10 ridiculously charming games we saw in LudoNarraCon 2021 for you to bask in.
Wayward Strand by Ghost Pattern
Wayward Strand is a touching, empathetic narrative game, woven together from many distinct threads, all of which play out simultaneously aboard an airborne hospital in 1970s Australia. In Wayward Strand you play as Casey Beaumaris, a teenage girl visiting the hospital for the first time. Over the course of three days, she will explore the history of the ship, the lives of its inhabitants, and their relationships with one another.
The hospital’s residents are an eclectic cast of characters – some charming, some eccentric, some rude – each with their own desires, goals and imaginations. They do as they wish, completely independent of the player character. During the three days Casey spends on the ship, the characters around her live out their own stories – stories which she can investigate. Each character moves and acts of their own accord, on their own timeline – sharing news with each other, opinions; arguing; joking; gossiping – or having a chat with Casey when she comes by.
As Casey explores the airship and its many intertwined stories, she will discover that the effect of her actions can reverberate far beyond her expectations.
Platform: PC – Steam, Mac
Teacup by Smarto Club
Teacup is a wholesome narrative adventure game with a focus on exploration and non-linear progression.
You play as the titular Teacup, a shy and introverted young frog who loves drinking tea and reading. The day before she is to host a tea party at her house, she realizes she is completely out of tea, and thus must venture into the woods around her to find the herbs she needs to restock her pantry.
During your adventure, you will meet the charming inhabitants of the forest. Some are talkative, some are grumpy, but all of them will lend you an ear on your adventure. Most of the animals you meet will be glad to help Teacup in exchange for a small favour or some help. Quaint, wholesome fun.
Platform: PC – Steam
TUNIC by Andrew Shouldice
TUNIC is an action-adventure game about a tiny fox in a big world where you don’t belong. Developed by Andrew Shouldice, TUNIC is a game shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Crafted to evoke feelings of classic action-adventure games cough cough Zelda. TUNIC stars a heroic little fox as he explores a foreign land that hides danger around every corner. Discover unique items, new combat techniques, and arcane secrets as our hero fox make their way through an intriguing new world.
Okay did that game description tell us much? No. But does the game look all parts adorable? Yes. We’ll be keeping an eye out for this one.
Platforms: Xbox One, PC – Steam, Mac
Minute of Islands by Studio Fizbin
Minute of Islands takes you on a grand adventure across a strange yet beautiful archipelago that Mo, calls home. Sadly, the picturesque surroundings have become polluted by deadly spores. The only thing keeping the island safe are several mysterious antennas built by literal giants who once lived peacefully alongside the archipelago’s human inhabitants.
You are Mo, a skilled tinkerer, living with her family. The giants of old have left otherworldly but vital machines, festering in the underbellies of the islands. Mo vows to restore the hidden engines in before the threat swallows them all.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam, Mac
Later Daters Part Two by Bloom Digital Media
A dating sim for the older generation. I love that Bloom Digital Media based these love stories on seniors living in a retirement home. A refreshing difference from the younger, steamy, high school sex drama that’s out there. Later Daters is completely charming and wonderful in its own way. The point of art and video games is to highlight messages or topics that people may not normally think about. Most of us just don’t think of seniors as being sexual beings. But that doesn’t really make any sense and I love that Later Daters is removing the stigma of that.
Adventure, passion, and transformation are not experiences reserved for the young. Later Daters portrays the ageing process as a rollicking romp and reminds us of what the elderly can teach us about our capacity for love. The game features the process of growing older, losing people, and what it means to be comfortable in your later years. It’s wholesome, a little racy and features real life people’s stories that you live through.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC – Steam, Mac