Mosaic

Welcome to the rat race. This is a narrative game with a minimalist aesthetic, where the monotony of modern work comes to life. With its repetitive routines and dreamlike sequences, it combines puzzles and exploration to reflect on alienation in a dehumanised society. Coming in at 3 hours, it's a dark and engrossing adventure that will stay stuck in your mind long after you finish playing.

Does your life reek of monotony? Mosaic, a gem of a game from Krillbite Studio, known for Among the Sleep, immerses you in a narrative experience where you play as an anonymous office worker, adrift in a dehumanised, futuristic metropolis. Through gameplay that combines exploration and puzzles, you'll navigate the worker's monotonous life, discovering reflections on alienation and the meaning of existence along the way. The story takes place over several days, but while every morning begins with the same identical routine, each day reveals different details that highlight the protagonist's evolution.

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The gameplay in Mosaic revolves around simple daily routines, like brushing your teeth, fixing your hair, or taking the lift. These actions, while repetitive, are designed to cement the feeling of ennui and stagnation. In parallel, you'll experience dreamlike moments where your character is confronted by unsettling visions that parody his bleak reality.

We liked the game's minimalist, stylised artistic direction. All of the characters have the same face, identifiable only by their hairstyles, reinforcing the idea of a uniform, impersonal society. The dream sequences are elevated by an atmospheric soundtrack that accentuates the sense of immersion. Each moment of visual grace is accompanied by a delicate tune, rendering the experience all the more poetic.

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Our favourite part? The BlipBlop minigame that your character can play on their phone. This game, while simple, is engrossing thanks to its "addictive gameplay" where you need to manipulate shapes to earn a high score. After spending nearly 40 minutes playing it, we were struck by just how well it illustrates the battle against boredom and the pointlessness of the digital distractions in our everyday life. The minigame becomes a mirror of the modern world, where we often waste time in meaningless activities.

Our tip to help you on your way? To get the most out of the game, we advise against hurrying. Take the time to interact with every object in your surroundings, because some details are essential to enhancing your understanding of the story. On your first day, for example, when you leave your apartment, take the time to look at the posters and messages on the walls. They will give you a snapshot of the social struggles and emotions experienced by the people in this vast city. A key moment occurs when you meet a busker. Instead of ignoring them, take a moment to listen to their music and read the reactions of the passers-by.

Who will enjoy this game?
Mosaic is aimed squarely at a mature audience, one that appreciates introspective narrative and reflections on modern society, and who aren't afraid of exploring dark, profound themes.

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