and Roger Reviews
I’d recommend and Roger to anybody looking for a captivating story about relationships with loved ones and empathizing with issues both physical and mental. The way the game moves the story forward with such simple gameplay mechanics should be considered a triumph, and I’d love to see the people I love play through the experience as well.
The best compliment I can give is that it reminds me so much of 2018’s Florence, a game I adore, in how it uses clever interactions to communicate relatable feelings and situations. While I wouldn’t wish the plight of its protagonist on my worst enemy, I would happily recommend this experience as another strong example of video games' strength as a storytelling medium.
The story is short — you should have no problem finishing the entire game in a single sitting — and by design, there are no filler moments, save for the intermissions between chapters. Bending the boundaries of visual novel conventions, and Roger shares a poignant, beautiful story that’s best experienced first-hand.
No fat needs to be trimmed, no minigames for the sake of expanding the time spent with it. And Roger might be another one of the perfect examples of why games aren't just art, but elevate our conception of what art can be, and how it can explore our own humanity. Frankly, it's a fantastic feeling to be reminded of every once in a while and I'd urge you to seek it out for yourself.
An accomplished interactive novel, and Roger is an impactful, important game. Its one-hour runtime will take you on a ride of emotions leaving its core message to not give up on people, despite how tough, cumbersome or frustrating it, or they, may be.
The masterful integration of interactive elements in "and Roger" demonstrates that the genre is still diverse and fresh, especially when indie studios receive the support they need to realize their visions.
Review in German | Read full review
and Roger is proof of how games can still surprise, not through special effects or big budgets, but thanks to the ability to let us enter the mind and heart of another.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If you can cope with the sadness and appreciate the glimpses of happier times gone by then you’ll find and Roger a completely unforgettable experience.
However, this game won't be for everyone. The playtime of about an hour is very short. The gameplay is frequently abstract and sometimes downright confusing. The game contains a fair amount of text (fortunately, the Dutch translation is of high quality) and deals with a serious subject that is not exactly lighthearted. It is also not a title you are likely to restart immediately after the credits have rolled. But despite those caveats, and Roger lingers much longer than countless larger and more expensive titles. The combination of strong visual design, experimental gameplay, and a story that slowly manages to touch you creates an experience you won't soon forget. It shows that games can sometimes be more than just entertainment and that interactive art still holds a special place within the medium. And that experience is certainly worth a few euros.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
And Roger is a brief but emotional one-hour visual novel. It does not take long to understand its narrative argument. But the way it is presented is so impactful that it does not need more than that to accomplish its goal. To witness a loved one’s mental decline is devastating, to the point where the game even goes on to mention approaching religion to find solace in times of need.
and Roger is devastating in its execution, somehow managing to pack the story full of fear, happiness, love, confusion, and everything in between — all within a one-hour timespan.
and Roger is a short game that knows exactly what it wants to do and doesn’t wander outside of that. It uses simple interactions to let its story unfold at its own pace, without stopping to explain everything along the way. The gameplay, visuals, and sound all work together, so nothing ever feels disconnected or tacked on. It’s not something you play for excitement or challenge, but for the experience itself. If you’re in the mood for a smaller, more personal game that sticks with you after you’re done, this one is easy to recommend.
and Roger is a short and fast-paced visual novel with engaging and thematic interactions that enhances the deep and emotional story.
Despite being only an hour long, "and Roger" doesn't need more than that to captivate the player and make them understand the story's narrative. The way it's presented and how it uses both gameplay and art style to represent the protagonist's experience is nothing short of brilliant.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster with And Roger. This game made me feel everything the protagonist felt—fear, frustration, sadness, even moments of joy. It only takes about an hour to finish, but like any great piece of art, I found myself processing and reflecting on it well after I completed the game.
And Roger took me from fear to joy to heartbreak, landing somewhere close to bittersweet as the credits rolled. Its constantly shifting controls not only replicate the characters' inner feelings admirably, but also manage to tell me what to do without saying a word. Everyone should take the time to experience this game for themselves.