Mini Mini Golf Golf

I feel like this game is an exploration into various aspects of narrative design. It feels very experimental and there are some familiar storytelling mechanisms coupled with some new approaches that I really appreciate from a design perspective. Its a short experience, but the density of it feels right. I really like the aesthetic approaches. It's a refreshing departure from the usual.

[Note- light spoilers are alluded to] A very interesting game! Picked it up and played essentially blind, and enjoyed the experience quite a bit. Overall I think this is a very neat game! The visual of minigolf is a unique visual language of storytelling and I like a lot of the little details it allowed. The text following behind hits was interesting, and I took the time to read it all. I also really liked that the mini golf was tied to Vanya's character, which makes it more compelling as a mechanic. The overall idea of us diving into their coping mechanism and playing the game wrong in the right places to go deeper into the hidden areas is cool. Honestly, I really love the notion that our gateways to their formative moments in life are the game levels they happened to be playing at those moments. There's something real to that. The talk show on the tv signals was also fun, the notion of finding secrets hidden in the phrases, and the strange way the show, our reality, and the game seems to intersect was really neat and I enjoyed that a lot. The talk show communicates a lot of the themes and even sci-fi concepts and that's cool! Alongside the positives, there are some criticisms to be had as well unfortunately: Some have mentioned bugginess, and I ran into that as well, even getting trapped in a menu loop of open-close when I went back to check a detail before writing this review. I also had a lot of issues with changing resolution and the game not remembering my difficulty settings. In terms of game design, it is a very linear game. Honestly that isn't a flaw in itself, but the game being so eager to tell you the answers to fairly simple puzzles + the lack of engaging mechanics beyond moving the ball forward can be a source of frustration, and while I enjoyed the game as presented, I do think more gameplay depth would have done incredible wonders for it. I did try to adjust the settings, but it never saved. I'm a big proponent for accessibility so 100% good features to have, but it probably shouldn't be default to show you the answers so fast. Additionally, I think the game had a habit of long-windedness. A lot of speaking segments on the tv, notably several of the talk-show episodes and the broadcast announcing the dissolving of world leadership especially, really suffered from a sense of redundancy. It was hard to keep focus when I felt I was being told the same thing over and over. It made the game feel like it dragged more than needed. Brevity would have given these segments much more punch as opposed to a sense of impatience. Which on that note, I think the opening of the game is overwhelming, partially because of getting to see all the talk show episodes at once. If someone is thorough like myself, they'll spend the first hour just watching the talk show and taking notes- only to get hit with an initially confusing golf game interface that changes quickly when you hit the glitch and starts showing you the talk show again. The statistics seem to indicate most people drop off after starting the glitch levels, and I wonder if overwhelm/confusion is a factor. (I admit to playing this exhausted with a headache, and the initial experience almost made me put it down for later). All the eps being available up front was definitely too much. I think for simplicity as well as pacing sake, they should've been revealed one by one as the game is played- the talk show eps revealing once relevant for a section. The game would feel much smoother and unified. (personally I think waiting to let us see the glitch levels until we played a bit of normal golf would have also helped onboard new players and even the pacing as well, while giving us a chance to learn the mechanics of the ball) Despite the criticisms i listed, I do think this game is really cool and very worth playing! I I liked watching the character stories unfold, I liked seeing the sci-fi be built up, it was fun watching the actors play out the scenarios and talk show, the aesthetic is neat, and I can't think of another experience quite like it.

Love this game!

This is the Zeitgeist of fragmented storytelling. If you enjoy non linear movies and have time and patience to explore every corner, this game is for you. Also, shout out to Mini Mini Talk Talk!

This is a unique game for the curious and playful minded. Had a great time figuring stuff out and exploring everything. Well recommended!

I am still not entirely sure what I just played. I think I enjoyed it. The story line running through the game is interesting, If you're just playing it casually, 2-3 hours at most. If you dig into it, I suspect there is more. Especially as the install is 3ish gb. That said, that could be due to it being a Unity engine game. I don't think this game is for everyone, but I enjoyed it. Then again, I like time shenanigans. Hopefully the next segment comes soon.

Oh man do I live for a good story and puzzle game. Between unpacking the story, the individual relationships of different characters, and seeing the ripple effect of small actions across time and memory really puts things in perspective for me. Everyone can make the world a better place or at least inspire others to do so as well. Great for revealing the inner workings of an individual with a collectivist versus an individualistic mindset. Not to mention that the visuals & sounds of the game are insanely aesthetic. I'll revisit Mini Mini Golf Golf again when I need a break from all the man-made horrors beyond my comprehension :)

It's a game that tackles a lot of ideas in a dense, experimental package. Singular, intimate, and visually arresting. Come for the Mini Mini Golf Golf, stay for the Mini Mini Talk Talk.

I don't really know what's going on, but I'm interested, which I can't say about almost anything else I played this past year.

Incredible. I think I need to process it still