The recently-released adventure game Stray, which allows players to assume the role of an adorable cat, has further pushed the video game publisher Annapurna Games into the limelight. Since its launch in 2016, Annapurna Games has released a number of titles from indie developers that are known for their story-driven gameplays, innovative game mechanics, and emotional narratives.
From the physics puzzle game Donut County to the action-adventure game Outer Wilds, which of the titles published by Annapurna Games have received critical and commercial success on Metacritic?
Gorogoa (2017) – 83
Gorogoa is an inventive puzzle game developed by Jason Roberts. The game's goal is simple: players need to change the sizes of images inside a 2x2 grid in order to solve a puzzle. The game also has a main story that involves a boy living in a war-torn landscape that houses an eccentric monster.
The tile sliding puzzles of Gorogoa have been well-received by both gamers and critics alike, due in part to its beautiful hand-drawn artwork and intuitive but simple gameplay.
Stray (2022) – 83
Stray is the most recent offering from Annapurna Games. Developed by BlueTwelve Studio, Stray is a game where players control a cat who needs to explore a world filled with machines, robots, and mutated bacteria that can harm the cute main character.
Apart from the game's platforming and adventure aspects, players can also do plenty of cat-like things in Stray, such as wrecking couches, taking cat naps, and scratching rags. The detail-oriented gameplay and immersive world of Stray have helped it garner high praise from gamers.
Outer Wilds (2019) – 85
The action-adventure game Outer Wilds puts gamers in control of a space explorer who is trapped in a doomed time loop where the sun inevitably explodes into a supernova. To uncover the mystery behind the time loop, the player must explore their solar system and find important clues.
The active storytelling in Outer Wilds, which encourages non-linear gameplay, might confuse players at first as it is an aspect that's not usually seen in open-world games. However, the game's breathtaking environment and exploration mechanics are more than enough to pull gamers into its puzzling world.
Sayonara Wild Hearts (2020) – 85
Sayonara Wild Hearts is reminiscent of classic arcade games such as Asteroids and Centipede due to its simplistic control schemes and gameplay elements. In the game made by Swedish developer Simogo, players are tasked with controlling the heartbroken main character who needs to maneuver through various levels and landscapes to collect hearts.
Aside from its striking neon visuals and straightforward game mechanics, Sayonara Wild Hearts stands out thanks to its outstanding soundtrack. The game might only have 23 levels in store for players, but each level is just as equally thrilling and fun as the previous one.
Donut County (2018) – 87
Annapurna Games seems to favor publishing games made by indie developers. Take the case of Donut County, which is a game developed by only one person, Ben Esposito. The mechanics of the game is pretty straightforward: players are tasked with controlling a hole that swallows every object it encounters, which then increases its size.
Donut County is a casual arcade puzzle game for gamers who want a short break from taxing AAA games. The undeniable charm of Donut County's visuals and narrative have also helped it find fans across various gaming platforms.
Kentucky Route Zero (2020) – 88
In the game Kentucky Route Zero, a delivery driver named Conway meets mysterious people along his journey. Developed by game developer Cardboard Computer, Kentucky Route Zero has a point-and-click gameplay and is divided into five acts that were released sporadically from 2013 to 2020.
Kentucky Route Zero has enticed gamers thanks to its beautiful and gripping story about memories and fate. Gamers have to prepare themselves for the ending of Kentucky Route Zero, which is just as beautiful as it is tragic and melancholic.
Gone Home (2018) – 88
The Fullbright Company's Gone Home is a game that doesn't really encourage players to attain goals and objectives. Instead, players are tasked with exploring a house that's filled with cassette tapes, unopened letters, and other items from family of the main character.
Gone Home is an excellent mystery solving game that heavily involves some great interactive storytelling and impeccable dialogues. Even without a lot of action and flashy scenes, Gone Home is still capable of nurturing an unmatched emotional experience for gamers who are patient enough to sit through its story.
Neon White (2022) – 89
The main character of the first-person shooting game Neon White is a demon hunter named Neon, who is given the task of destroying all demons as quickly as possible. By completing each level and goal, gamers gain experience that can reveal hidden items and alternate routes.
In essence, Neon White encourages players to speed run through its puzzling platforms, which cultivates an adrenaline-pumping gaming experience that's akin to classic fast-paced arcade games. However, some gamers felt that the narrative and story of the game needed more depth and dimension.
Florence (2020) – 90
Annapurna Games seem to favor interactive story video games. Such example is Florence, which has been developed by the Australian game studio Mountains. In the game, players see a woman named Florence Yeoh live her daily life through succeeding chapters. The narrative focused game also features various mini-games that reveal Florence's actions and inner thoughts.
The game has been well received for its imaginative storytelling mechanics and emotional narrative that focuses on relatable scenarios like falling in love and nurturing a relationship.
What Remains Of Edith Finch (2017) – 92
What Remains of Edith Finch is Annapurna Games' most popular title. The dynamic puzzle game follows the story of Edith, who belongs to a family that has been afflicted with a cursed that caused its to die in strange ways and circumstances. As Edith explores the bedrooms of her deceased relatives, she goes on an explorative journey where she gets to learn more about her family.
The game is essentially an anthology where each chapter features a distinct art style and experience. The game received high praise for its presentation, enthralling story, and awe-inspiring art.
