The golden era of adventure games happened to pass right as I was a young gamer, growing up with a family computer and, eventually, some consoles to call my own. There was nothing quite like the rush of booting up a fresh adventure, eagerly anticipating a deep world to explore, puzzles to solve, and an experience to lose yourself within.

The visual novel genre has always been a go-to for me when I need to play something that’s engaging for the mind without requiring lightning-fast reflexes. The combination of writing that feels like a book, combined with visuals and player input makes these games more than just a digital novel.

As someone who loves cooperative games, I know it can be a hard sell when a game requires two copies and only offers online co-op. I love split-screen as much as the next person, but there’s something special about having the whole screen to yourself. In the case of We Were Here Together, that last part is the entire point.

The noir style of crime mystery is one that works incredibly well when it’s done right. The gravelly narration, the black and white color scale, the occasional pop of color, and the allure of it all. It’s easy to get swept up in everything. Of course, these days you need to go beyond a pulpy mystery to turn heads, so why not turn your entire cast into animals?