When launched in early 2024, I had absolutely no interest in playing it. My friends did nothing but sing its praises, the internet told me it was the must-play game of the year, and every day when walking back from the shops I'd see my neighbor playing it — I'm not weird, he just always has his curtains open.
After a while, the fever died down, and I figured it would become yet another critically acclaimed indie I just don't have the time for.
Fast-forward a few months and earns indie game of the year and gets a GOTY nomination at the 2024 Game Awards, officially cementing it as one of the best indie games of 2024.
Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me, so I finally gave it a go. Of course, anyone who has played will know that I instantly fell in love because it really is that good.
However, I don't want to talk just about how good is, but rather about how its gameplay loop is illustrative of a gaming trend that has dominated 2024.