By Dustin Cabeal

"Venba" is perhaps one of the simplest games that I have ever played. Its controls and directions are so straightforward that anyone could pick up the controller and easily finish the short two-to-three-hour game. By no means is that a negative aspect of the game; there is an intentional reason for the straightforward controls and simplicity. That’s because it’s an equal part video game and interactive story. It’s just that both of those things are viewed as dirty words. “Interactive story” is not a game, some would say, while book enthusiasts would similarly say “Moving pictures” are not a book. I’m of the mindset that a good story is a good story, and I love to see new and interesting ways for stories to be told. At the end of the day, all forms of media are just stories being told, and the one that "Venba" is telling resonated with me long after I finished playing it.

I played it twice, and I won’t sugarcoat it; it was to unlock all the achievements. Frankly, it’s an easy 1,000 if you’re looking for them. But on that journey to complete it, I discovered that by selecting the opposite answers than I had picked the first time, I got a very different story. It was a better story than my first playthrough, which caught me off guard. I tend to pick the answers that align with my view of the world. So, to have these alternative answers presented and to answer "what if I had chosen differently," well, it was a marvelous discovery that made the replay feel fresh and different. Again, it was very unexpected and left me delighted.

The story follows a woman named Venba, hence the title of the game. It reveals throughout the story, especially if you pick the opposite dialogue, that a "Venba" is also a type of poem. I wouldn’t go so far as to say this game is a poem, but it’s the layers of the story and the details that make these characters realistic and relatable. Venba isn’t feeling well, but her husband is too lazy to cook. She ultimately decides to cook for him so he’ll have lunch, and for whatever reason, decides to use the recipe from the cookbook her mother gave her. There’s a problem, though; some of the words have faded or been smudged off. This is where the game kicks in, as you must do some detective work and figure out the sequence of steps to successfully make your dish. Essentially, you continue to make food repeatedly, but each time, the food takes on greater meaning to you and where you are in life with your family.

Since it’s a short game, there's no need to drone on about the story. A quick perspective is that Venba and her husband have moved to Canada from India because they couldn't be together in India. They’re struggling to make ends meet and are considering moving back at the start of the game until Venba discovers that she’s pregnant. Not really a spoiler; the kid is on the title card of the game.

The story's development is fantastic. You will find yourself invested in it from the very beginning, and when things switch and change, it’s hard not to feel what the characters are experiencing. You will walk a mile in Venba’s shoes as they struggle as a family and strive to stay connected. The fine line of staying true to your origin while embracing your new life is a constant theme in the game. The interesting thing is that the lens you look at this game through will dictate how you relate to it. If you're with kids, you’ll see it through the lens of a parent. But if you're a kid or a single adult out in the world, your lens and connection will likely resonate more with Kavin (spelled correctly), the child in the story. This is just another example of how successful this game is at conveying its message and connecting with the player.

The graphics are stylized and have a hand-drawn appearance. The movement is minimal for both the story segments and the gameplay elements. For the story, it's like watching a small animation. The dialogue does most of the work, but the subtle reactions and movements make the characters feel real. The art style is wonderful, and I would love to see similar games in this style. As for the gameplay art, it involves a lot of hard cuts. You throw something in a pan, and it looks different once it's in. It's simple and works for the type of game it is. It also maintains realism in its sequences, which is a nice touch and makes it feel as if you’re in the kitchen.

The soundscape of the game is fantastic. It adds so much to the story and the cooking. Venba doesn’t cook before she turns on the music, and each cooking chapter has its own song. All of it was enjoyable and elevated the story and cooking experience. I would happily listen to the soundtrack on its own, not just the one song from an actual band. Although that was a good song as well and encouraged me to check out the artist.

"Venba" was a fantastic discovery. I played it on Xbox Game Pass, but honestly, I would encourage you to buy it if you don't have the Game Pass. It was a surprise to discover and again, really stayed with me after playing it in a way that a lot of games try and fail to do. It’s a bit early to look forward to the studio and creators' next game, but I hope that "Venba" will be successful enough to ensure that they do have a new game in the future.

Score: 4/5

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