For instance, Chicory has "boss battles" of a sort, where the painted darkness the protagonist faces not only takes the explicit forms of those it represents, but also more subtly reflects their actual art styles. Though it's specifically about visual art, anyone who "makes" - whether that's artists of any school, or those like myself who fall more into the territory of "craft" rather than art - could easily find that something personal resonates with them here.Īnd critically, its story is beautifully suited to its gameplay, with its paint mechanics both subtly and overtly highlighting its themes at every moment. Chicory tells an earnest story about people who create things, and the ways in which being a creator impacts them. It's difficult for me to explain why Chicory affected me so personally without getting into spoiler territory, but I think it's critical to highlight the story and character-centered reasons why it is elevated beyond being just a well-made Zelda-like with a clever paint tool. It is impressive in its exactness.Īll this alone would make for a very good game. Chicory never overstays its welcome, concludes all its moments in a satisfactory way, and offers more for those who wish it without guilting or pressuring you into pushing past natural stopping points. All of Chicory, from its length (10 to 20 hours, depending on how much you paint and explore) to its quantity of sidequests and collectibles to the length and difficulty of its puzzles to the amount of dialogue and discovery is just right. Oh, and because color is utterly unnecessary for anything other than fun aesthetic, Chicory is fully accessible to colorblind players.įurthermore, rarely do I encounter games that have so expertly grasped the precise amount of everything they need to have. And while you can paint any area however you like, there are multiple places set up in specific ways to invite explicit creativity, like a huge blank building you're asked to tag, or a mountain viewpoint where NPCs request you color a sky for them to admire. There's a built-in GIF-maker that lets you capture your painting process. You can also design your own brush style and clothing items. If you're feeling limited by the four-color restriction per area, an NPC will eventually give you a brush style that lets you customize your colors with full freedom. An art academy subplot lets you take art classes and attempt to recreate different pieces of art, with your recreations later posted and admired by NPCs around the world. Whatever your skill level, Chicory is full of optional content inviting you to play around with its many built-in art tools. Chicory does this in large ways through story scenes, but also in small ways, like having its funny and adorable NPCs pop up unexpectedly in areas you've been through before to admire the art you did there. But then it offers the tools and encouragement to try anyway, and goes farther to challenge those self-effacing beliefs by rejoicing in thoughtful effort without judgment. It recognizes that its audience, me included, may think they are objectively god-awful at art. It's a thoughtful game that wants you to walk along with it at a pace that feels pleasant, with puzzles that require consideration but never strain, sidequests in measured but not overwhelming amounts, and plenty of fun things to discover or stumble upon that never feel mandatory or guilt-inducing if you miss them. Software description provided by the publisher.This is emblematic of all of Chicory: it is not a stressful or fast-paced game (apart from a few brief boss encounters). And an original soundtrack by Lena Raine (Celeste, Minecraft)! Featuring audio design by Em Halberstadt and A Shell in the Pit (Untitled Goose Game, Night in the Woods). Play with your friends and paint together in local co-op! Experience 10+ hours of gameplay and dozens of side quests including mail delivery, art classes, photo taking, and more. Discover a world full of 100+ animal characters. Dress up how you want with collectible clothes, plants, and furniture. Unlock new paint abilities and use them to reach new places. Solve puzzles and manipulate the environment with paint. Explore the Picnic Province, and paint on anything! It’s a big job… but you’re ready for it! Probably! It’s up to you, Chicory’s number one fan, to pick up the Brush and fill in for her. Chicory, superstar artist and wielder of the Brush, is missing, and all the color in the land vanished with her. Use your painting powers to explore new places, solve puzzles, help your friends, and change the world! Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure game in a coloring book world where you can draw on anything.
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