Blippo+

Blippo+ defies what makes a video game in favor of chasing a bygone era in television.

For people who grew up watching Gamemaster, early MTV, Hartbeat, '80s soaps, Bill Nye or Open University programming, and scanning the high channels past midnight for a glimpse of something softcore, Blippo+ is an absolute must-play must-watch. It really is a work of art, nailing the aesthetic of early-'90s TV and uncannily capturing a time and place in the way a song or a smell evokes a memory - in a way that feels almost personal.You need to treat it like old-school TV, though, surfing a little bit each day and soaking up the static; do not approach it as a game. And as fun as it is - as wonderfully assembled, expertly performed, and lovingly crafted - nostalgia for (or at least intellectual interest in) the era feels like a prerequisite. I'm an '80s kid, though, so I adored every second.

Which means you should probably check it out. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and there’s a substantial chance we’ll never see anything like it again.

Not just mysteries or dark tales, but fun and creativity are what drive Blippo+. There is no game like it I've played all year and is something that I will often be thinking about in the months to come. If you're looking for a game that's both passive and creative, you will simply need to tune in to Blippo+.

I have a tonne of respect for Blippo+ and the work that was put into it. It's weird and creative, which all my favourite things are, but it's so niche that it's hard to think of someone I know that I could recommend it to. Then again, I expect the developers and actors don't really care too much about that.

While and absolutely bizarre and generally non-gaming experience, for people who grew up with old-school cable TV it’s an odd time capsule in many ways

Blippo+ is definitely unique, and I have never played anything like it. I didn’t have any sort of video games growing up, so when I was sick from school, I used to watch daytime television. Blippo+ takes me back to sitting on the couch with flat lemonade watching Days of Our Lives and I am here for it. It is obvious that a lot of love and effort has gone into recording the shows, and it comes across in every aspect.

Whether you choose to experience Blippo+ in all its 1-bit glory on the Playdate or either the Steam or Switch versions, it’s impossible to ignore the amount of love and care that has gone into what is one of the most unique titles of this generation.

Blippo+ is a great example of what happens when creative people think completely outside the box. It doesn’t make you struggle with difficulty, it lets you watch at your own pace and take the story how you want to. It’s a game that respects your intelligence by presenting the programming, then letting you put the pieces together. Blippo+ isn’t a hard game, and that’s fine. Sometimes you just want something to enjoy without stress, and Blippo+ provides that. Definitely check it out if you’re looking for a game that isn’t afraid to be different.

Playdate's crown jewel is an ambitious experiment that blends video games, cinema, and performance art to tell an intriguing science fiction story.