Launched in May 2017, it took us a while to get to Old Man’s Journey. It’s by Austrian indie team Broken Rules in beautiful Vienna, with this game equally striking in its premise and presentation.

It’s a narrative driven experience, with a considerable focus on embracing moments in time, considering broken dreams, and changing plans. All wrapped up with accessible, engaging puzzles.

A Voyage of Life’s Reflections in Old Man’s Journey

This is available on PC and all consoles. You can also get it on your Android or Apple phone.

Yes, so it’s a story heavy experience. Players take control of an old man—he lives in a fancy house by the coast. One day, he decides to take a trip after receiving a letter. Thus, he heads on out on a voyage of self-discovery and lifetime reflections.

Gameplay wise, this is presented with minimalistic controls.

You guide the character around vibrant areas, unlock secrets, solve puzzles, and discover more about his past. It’s not designed to be challenging, more to get players get involved in this self-discovery process and engage with the beautiful landscapes presented.

It’s also a game you can watch, as if a movie, as a colourful animated experience.

It’s a brief time of it. There’s about 90 minutes of gameplay, but the contemplative themes are no surprise. This is the studio also responsible for the colourful Gibbon: Beyond the Trees and its environmental message.

But it’s less than a tenner and you’ll likely to play it again, as it’s a lovely little game.

With those striking visuals, there are elements of the gorgeous Scottish romp A Highland Song (2023). Plus, the score is quite fabulous and was created by American composer scntfc (aka Andrew Rohrmann). It’s all very upbeat and uplifting.

Short but sweet, then, and a fine way to pass a few hours. Whether you’ve got a lazy Sunday with some time to fill or a boring commute to work, Old Man’s Journey will take you on an introspective trip.