Venba

Gorgeous game about culture, family, identity, and of how food is sometimes the quiet center of our lives. Made me tear up and made me hungry! Short game you will remember. Venba is all heart.

This is such a beautiful little game. The story, the art, the music - everything is just perfect. It's been a while since I played such a touching game :')

This is a short and sweet, impactful little game that navigates a wife and husband's life as they immigrate from India to Canada and raise a son. You witness the mother, Venba, struggle to adapt to the culture within Canada. It was really nice to learn about Tamil culture through this game. It was really hard to watch the Mom struggle to connect with her son as he grows up in a world so different from hers. I'd recommend picking this game up next time it goes on sale. I got it for 6 bucks and it was definitely worth it!

Sweet little game that might bring a tear to your eyes.

i cried

Meh... I don't dislike this game enough to leave a negative review, but it didn't blow me away either. The artstyle and story are good, I liked seeing a perspective that made me think. The gameplay is not compelling, but it isn't abysmal. I would say this game is worth a few bucks. It might stick with me, but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't.

Venba is one of those games that surprised me with how much emotion it could pack into such a short experience. I went through a lot of emotions while playing it, and by the end, I genuinely felt attached to the characters and their story. The story about family, immigration, cultural identity, and trying to preserve your roots is beautifully told through food. The cooking mechanics are simple, but they fit the game perfectly, and as someone who loves cooking, I absolutely loved making the recipes. The recipe book was a really nice touch too. The art style is vibrant and beautiful, while the music fits the atmosphere perfectly and makes the whole experience feel even more personal. I also appreciate that the game doesn't overstay its welcome. It's short, but I think that's exactly why its story leaves such a strong impression. Venba made me smile, feel nostalgic, and even brought me close to tears at times. It's a simple game with a lot of heart, and it's definitely one of those experiences that stays with you after the credits roll. Highly recommended if you're looking for a short, emotional and wholesome story.

Venba is a coming-of-age game told almost entirely through food. Each dish becomes a storytelling device, a way of expressing memory, migration, family, love, conflict and change. Through little life vignettes and signature recipes, we move through the years, watching a family’s story unfold one meal at a time. It’s also a game that wakes up every sense in your body. Your eyes feast on beautiful Indian colour palettes; your ears catch the chopping, sizzling and bubbling of food being prepared, alongside a wicked soundtrack of Indian instruments and singing. And somehow, yes, I could almost smell the cooking. Venba understands that recipes are more than instructions: they are pieces of a life, passed down, adapted, lost and remembered. It’s a beautiful, intimate reminder that sometimes the best way to tell a story is through what we cook and who we cook it for.