Bokura: Planet

Bokura: Planet was a lovely surprise, with an intriguing, diverging co-op narrative that creates tension beneath its novel puzzles without completely jettisoning its cutesy vibes for pixel horror. If you're looking for a reflective, grown-up adventure with laughs, gasps, and perhaps even a tear or two, this affecting little expedition will claim but a few hours of your life and is worth enlisting a friend for.

Offering up some pretty smart challenges, and a fair amount of weirdness in its story, this co-op puzzler works nicely

"An Emotional Co-op Puzzle Journey" Bokura: Planet offers a unique and emotionally charged co-op puzzle adventure, where trust and communication play essential roles in shaping the experience. Despite its notable technical flaws, its multi-layered narrative, clever design, and powerful emotional impact make it a standout in its genre.

If you enjoy puzzle-solving adventures with a strong emotional core, BOKURA: Planet is a wonderful journey.

In the old argument of “Are video games art?” BOKURA: planet would be exhibit one for the “yes” argument. It encapsulates all the great things that an indie title can give us: style, originality, and a sense of bravery that would have instantly been vetoed at a private investors meeting. A bit like your favourite band that no one else listens to, it’s important that games like this exist, even if they reach only a few thousand players. Unfortunately, the biggest barrier to entry will be finding a like-minded friend ready to be mentally challenged and mildly disturbed by BOKURA: planet. If you can get past that, the beauty of what lies inside is well worth the reward. It’s a pleasure to hand BOKURA: planet a Thumb Culture Gold Award.

I knew I would enjoy Bokura: Planet as I very much enjoyed Bokura. I only played a little bit of the original, but I found how it did things was incredibly clever and blew my mind at the time. I just had no idea the sequel would get so dark. The first game was no picnic by any means, but I feel like the story and puzzles were both ratcheted up to 11 in Planet. It took me by surprise. My friend was less enthused, but he doesn’t enjoy puzzle games as much as I do. If you like puzzles and dark, mind-bending stories, Bokura: Planet is a short experience that’s destined to linger on your mind long after you’ve finished it.