And Roger

The best compliment I can give is that it reminds me so much of 2018’s Florence, a game I adore, in how it uses clever interactions to communicate relatable feelings and situations. While I wouldn’t wish the plight of its protagonist on my worst enemy, I would happily recommend this experience as another strong example of video games' strength as a storytelling medium.

and Roger is an eminent example of the power that video game storytelling holds when its gameplay, visuals, audio, and writing converge at their highest points.

‘and Roger’ trusts you to meet it on its own terms, and that trust is rewarded with one of the most affecting stories I've played this year and the last. Its interactive ideas are simple, but every one of them serves a purpose beyond keeping your hands busy. I know for a fact that it's a game I'll remember far longer than the hour it took me to finish.

I’d recommend and Roger to anybody looking for a captivating story about relationships with loved ones and empathizing with issues both physical and mental. The way the game moves the story forward with such simple gameplay mechanics should be considered a triumph, and I’d love to see the people I love play through the experience as well.

An accomplished interactive novel, and Roger is an impactful, important game. Its one-hour runtime will take you on a ride of emotions leaving its core message to not give up on people, despite how tough, cumbersome or frustrating it, or they, may be.

The masterful integration of interactive elements in "and Roger" demonstrates that the genre is still diverse and fresh, especially when indie studios receive the support they need to realize their visions.

and Roger is proof of how games can still surprise, not through special effects or big budgets, but thanks to the ability to let us enter the mind and heart of another.

If you can cope with the sadness and appreciate the glimpses of happier times gone by then you’ll find and Roger a completely unforgettable experience.

However, this game won't be for everyone. The playtime of about an hour is very short. The gameplay is frequently abstract and sometimes downright confusing. The game contains a fair amount of text (fortunately, the Dutch translation is of high quality) and deals with a serious subject that is not exactly lighthearted. It is also not a title you are likely to restart immediately after the credits have rolled. But despite those caveats, and Roger lingers much longer than countless larger and more expensive titles. The combination of strong visual design, experimental gameplay, and a story that slowly manages to touch you creates an experience you won't soon forget. It shows that games can sometimes be more than just entertainment and that interactive art still holds a special place within the medium. And that experience is certainly worth a few euros.

The story is short — you should have no problem finishing the entire game in a single sitting — and by design, there are no filler moments, save for the intermissions between chapters. Bending the boundaries of visual novel conventions, and Roger shares a poignant, beautiful story that’s best experienced first-hand.