A new genre of games has emerged, one that's all about capturing the essence of coming-of-age experiences. These games, often referred to as "millennial cringe" titles, use pixel art and earnest storytelling to recreate the nostalgia of growing up in the 2000s. Perfect Tides: Station to Station is a point-and-click adventure game that takes place in New York in 2003, where the protagonist Mara navigates college life, relationships, and intellectual pursuits.
This genre is not new, as it shares similarities with traditional coming-of-age stories from previous generations. However, what sets these modern games apart is their focus on millennial experiences, specifically the lack of online pressure to curate a perfect image. The earnestness with which Perfect Tides presents college life predates the concept of cringe, making it an endearing and relatable experience.
The specificity of Perfect Tides – its year, setting, and protagonist – makes it feel human and personal. While playing these games, you may relate to Mara's experiences, but you'll also learn something new about your own formative years. The game's aesthetic is reminiscent of 90s computer adventure games, with a pixel art style that adds to the charm.
If you're looking for more games like this, you might enjoy Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator, a strategy-game-meets-stock-market simulator that's part-anticapitalist satire and part-satire. For now, it's on your list of "what to play" – but be warned: the game's concept is already making its way into memes.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it'll be interesting to see how these coming-of-age games fit into the narrative of digital ownership versus physical media. With more people opting for digital downloads, there's a growing concern about the sustainability and future-proofing of our game libraries.
If you have any questions or thoughts on this topic, feel free to email us at [email protected].
This genre is not new, as it shares similarities with traditional coming-of-age stories from previous generations. However, what sets these modern games apart is their focus on millennial experiences, specifically the lack of online pressure to curate a perfect image. The earnestness with which Perfect Tides presents college life predates the concept of cringe, making it an endearing and relatable experience.
The specificity of Perfect Tides – its year, setting, and protagonist – makes it feel human and personal. While playing these games, you may relate to Mara's experiences, but you'll also learn something new about your own formative years. The game's aesthetic is reminiscent of 90s computer adventure games, with a pixel art style that adds to the charm.
If you're looking for more games like this, you might enjoy Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator, a strategy-game-meets-stock-market simulator that's part-anticapitalist satire and part-satire. For now, it's on your list of "what to play" – but be warned: the game's concept is already making its way into memes.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it'll be interesting to see how these coming-of-age games fit into the narrative of digital ownership versus physical media. With more people opting for digital downloads, there's a growing concern about the sustainability and future-proofing of our game libraries.
If you have any questions or thoughts on this topic, feel free to email us at [email protected].