Nostalgia is tricky at times. On one hand, it’s comforting to let go and be whisked away by the stream of past memories – idyllic and innocent. These simpler times seem impossibly distant from the present, so we just float in our daydream until we’re ready to press on with reality. On the other hand, we can float until we hit a wave. Suddenly, we’re drowning in a sea of repressed memories inadvertently unlocked and now sweet nostalgia has turned into trauma. Coming into terms with the past, both good and bad is central to the story of Dordogne. Mimi, our protagonist, revisits her late grandmother’s house where she spent a summer as a child, unraveling family and self revelations. 

Backdropped in a watercolor countryside home, the game immediately sets a whimsical tone that lends itself to the theme of reminiscing. We’re made to feel a connection to Mimi even though we’re seeing memories that don’t belong to us. The graphics and the mood immediately harp at our inner-child by evoking emotions that we freely felt during our younger years. We see ourselves through Mimi’s sense of adventure, stubbornness, curiosity, innocence, and love for others. All this is made easier by the stunning and heart-warming art style, which is one of the unique elements of the game that will stick with you after completion. 

The gameplay follows suit on the tone by offering a very simple adventure format with a linear map and point and click interactions. The most challenging (though I use this loosely because it’s really not) part is finding collectibles that you can use to create a scrapbook entry that serves as a bookend to each of its eight chapters. You can use a camera to take photos, a recorder to capture sounds, and find stickers and words, all of which you can use in any combination to create a journal entry on your scrapbook. I find this part as a really nice touch that adds an element of customizability with the gameplay. It doesn’t affect the plot itself, but it allows for some introspection as you navigate through Mimi’s journey.

This game mechanic offers a bit of replayability especially for instances wherein you miss a collectible. In all honesty though, it isn’t much incentive to actually repeat a chapter. The flow is definitely dictated by the narrative which could prove to be a slow burn, so the compulsion is to just push through and turn to the next chapter. With a plot and a set of characters that are compelling enough, it’s easy to finish the game in 3-4 hours with little effort. If it’s a challenge you’re looking for, then Dordogne is definitely not for you. However, if your goal is to unwind and destress to a cozy game, then the game is worth picking up.

Overall, Dordogne’s graphics are enough to carry the game’s enjoyability. Close behind would be its plot which although slow and predictable in its climax, is actually a satisfying story. I would liken the experience as watching an old family movie in Hallmark with its feel good charm and nostalgic tone. Though the gameplay is somewhat lacking, there were no moments wherein it felt boring or tedious. It gets a passing grade for me and it definitely sticks out among cozy games in the market. Looking back at my time playing, I have nothing but fond memories of my wonderful time at Dordogne.