Tidying is closely connected to our daily lives. Whether big or small, it’s something we repeat every day. For some, it’s a bothersome chore, while for others, it’s a form of self-satisfaction.
When we clean up a messy room, we experience a kind of euphoria or pleasure. We feel oddly proud and our minds clear. Whether you like or dislike tidying, whether you do it early or procrastinate, the joy is the same.
There’s a game based on the charm of tidying. It’s called “A Little to the Left,” a work by Max Inferno, a two-person indie game studio based in Canada. It’s a simple casual puzzle game where you organize items according to rules.
Released in 2022, A Little to the Left is currently climbing the charts again thanks to a 40% special discount on Steam. It has risen 58 places in the rankings over the past week, landing at 20th place. While the affordable price of 9,900 KRW has played a role, that’s not the only reason for its resurgence.
– A Little to the Left has seen a sharp rise in rankings due to a 40% sale.
■ A Calm Puzzle Game About Organizing Items in Place
– A simple casual puzzle game where you organize cluttered items to fit the mold.
In the game, you solve puzzles by organizing various items according to size, placing them in the correct spaces, or arranging papers so that pictures align. However, the game isn’t solely focused on the puzzles. If it were just about solving puzzles, it wouldn’t have gained much attention.
The game’s structure lies somewhere between puzzle-solving and tidying up. Though somewhat simple and repetitive, the process of considering the correct arrangement draws you in with a peculiar sense of immersion. It feels like continuing to solve puzzles under the cozy warmth of a blanket in the dead of winter.
Moreover, the game features a “cheat code” in the form of a cat. This cat occasionally appears in stages, knocking over items with its paws or messing up arrangements. The developers have cleverly incorporated the mysterious behavior patterns of cats into the game.
– A cute cat frequently appears, and the purring sound is truly the best.
While opinions may vary, some players undoubtedly play the game just to see the cat. Looking at Steam reviews, quite a few users say they were drawn to buy the game because of the cat’s adorable antics.
Overall, the game’s difficulty isn’t particularly high, but the progressive level design is quite good. It gives you the same feeling of trying to maximize efficiency in limited space that we often experience when organizing in real life. As you progress, puzzles emerge that make you consider various arrangements.
Just as there is no single correct way to tidy up in real life, A Little to the Left offers multiple solutions to the same puzzle. Each puzzle has star indicators, representing the number of possible solutions. This feature allows players to enjoy the game from different perspectives.
– The number of stars indicates the number of ways to clear a stage.
For example, you could first organize items based on length, and then on the next attempt, sort them by color. Preferences may differ from person to person, but none of these methods are wrong. Even though there are game constraints, the game shows that there’s no one right way to organize.
Just because the puzzles aren’t difficult doesn’t mean there’s no consideration for beginners. Pressing ESC allows you to access a hint button, which provides a clue for the puzzle you’re currently working on. Thanks to this, the game is easy for anyone, young or old, to enjoy.
– At first, the puzzles are very simple.
– But they become more complex as you progress through the later stages.
■ A “Dopamine Detox” Game That Brings Peace of Mind
– For some, it could be a tedious game that repeats the act of organizing items.
So, why play this game? I would describe A Little to the Left as a “dopamine detox” game. The gentle puzzles flow like water, accompanied by a soothing BGM, providing mental calm.
Besides the fun of solving puzzles, the entire process strongly resonates with the player, and for that, I’d like to give it extra points. Isn’t tidying up closely tied to our daily lives? While playing the game, you might suddenly find yourself relating to the situation.
There are definitely mixed opinions. Without a connection to the act itself, the game could feel dull and dry. Popular puzzle games like Candy Crush Saga, Royal Match, and Watermelon Game are already packed with various effects that amplify the fun of puzzles.
Compared to those, A Little to the Left doesn’t have as strong a flavor as a game. For some, it may just be a repetitive task of organizing items. Therefore, I don’t think everyone will find it enjoyable.
Just as sometimes you crave a mild salad after indulging in spicy, salty, or sweet foods, there are those who seek out games like this after playing dopamine-driven games. The same reason why many, including myself, have sought out this game.
It has a unique charm that’s hard to find in recent games. While it’s not the latest release, it’s quite worth purchasing and enjoying. The full price might be a bit iffy, but during the sale period, when it’s priced at 9,900 KRW, I recommend adding it to your cart. The discount lasts until August 23rd.
– It’s cheap enough to warrant a purchase and a try.
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