I often spend my nights watching video compilations of upcoming indie games on YouTube. A little over a year ago, I remember seeing a game called “Storyteller” featured everywhere and thinking it looked pretty cool. However, as is often the case, the game ended up dropping off my radar until a few weeks ago when I was alerted to the demo on Steam.
I’m going to be completely honest, as cool as the trailer for Storyteller was, my expectations were never very high for the game. While I’m not saying that all indie games that try to differentiate themselves from the norm are bad, I am saying more often than not, the developer’s ambition greatly overshadows their skill set. And some part of me was ready for that to be the case here, and I’m more than happy to say I was wrong.
The gameplay in Storyteller is deceptively simple. When the game starts, you will be given a short prompt, and it’s up to you to arrange a series of empty panels to reenact the given prompt. Think of the game as a series of blank comic book panels into which you can drag various settings and characters. It’s one of those systems that’s easy to grasp but tricky to master.
But where Storyteller truly comes into its own and shines is in how well the concept is executed and presented. The entire game is themed around a storybook, and the attention to detail helps bring the game to life. Just the small action of choosing a level and then seeing the book flip through pages to find the right one feels intensely satisfying thematically.
One thing I will say about the game is a problem I have with a bunch of “casual” games – where do I play it? So if we could take a moment here, I’ll explain. I love a good cosy, casual game. Few things make me happier than the thought of cuddling up in bed with a snack, a drink and some Stardew Valley. However, when I sit in front of my computer outside work hours, I often gravitate towards more serious or multiplayer games.
Not because I enjoy these games more, but because that’s the type of “vibe” my PC exudes. In the same breath, my Nintendo Switch is what I’d call my “casual” console, and my PlayStation 5 is my “serious console”. One is perfect for when I want to play Don’t Starve, and one is my go-to God of War player. So whenever I’m faced with a wholly casual experience such as Storyteller, I find myself trying to determine which platform it would be best suited to. After completing the demo, I can confidently say that a PC is not it.
Instead, I would say that Storyteller is the game you buy on your mobile device or on a Switch (if you have one). Mainly because it just feels too casual to warrant sitting in front of my PC and because it’s the perfect game to multitask with. Often I find myself with too much to do in my off time.
From movies and TV shows that I’ve fallen behind on to YouTube videos, I was meaning to watch to simply cuddling with pets. And at its core, Storyteller is a game perfect for playing while doing other stuff. Yes, the game requires some logical thought to put together stories – especially as the difficulty increases. Without any timers or real “distractions, ” you could easily play through it and engage your mind while watching Gordan Ramsey make grown people cry.
As of writing this review, there isn’t a set release date for Storyteller, but if you’re someone who enjoys casual-style games, find yourself intrigued by the premise or enamoured by the art, I would suggest heading over to the game on Steam and adding it to your wishlist, so you don’t miss out because this is an indie title worth keeping an eye out for.
