Is This Seat Taken - Review

If you’re ever needing a bit of a break on intense gaming from the likes of Elden Ring and Death Stranding 2, and wanting to more so chill with a bit of wholesome fun, then Is This Seat Taken is the right game to take a side step before jumping in to the highly anticipated and intense game, Hollow Knight Silksong. Not only did the visual design from the recent Nintendo Direct look amazing, but the use of spot colours are just fantastic. The movement and animation are great as well, from it’s little pop movement to even the decision of fonts that are used. The question is, is it enough or more than just a puzzle game?

The answer to that is yes. Not only is the puzzle mechanics really good, and at times challenging, but it takes you through a narrative of traveling. In some instances, you’ll see repeated characters pop up on various levels like a group of friends traveling on a train to kids and parents popping into diners or waiting in an airport to board a plane. The game’s narrative is so wholesome and cute, which also makes perfect sense as to why the publisher named Wholesome Games, published Poti Poti Studios’ puzzler. And just to be clear, not that there’s a very strong narrative that’s focused specifically on one or two characters, but it’s just nice to see how certain characters are traveling.

The whole premise of the game is based around travel from Barcelona to Brussel, London and New York. The levels are thematically set out to the specific countries. For example, the London level has different stages such as a soccer stadium or a museum whereas New York has a typical American diner. The whole premise of the game is to seat people in a specific spot. Where it gets tricky is the limitation or layout of how each level are. For example, the diner might have a table with 4 people facing each other, and a counter. However, the logistics of the characters' request to eat a specific food item or not wanting to sit next to a specific person, or even next to a specific person too. Not only that, but there are characters that wear too much cologne or haven't taken a shower makes it a little tricky as some don’t mind smells and some do.

The whole mechanic is to make sure that all characters are seated, but with their demands met, whether it is wanting to sit alone, or reading a book without being disturbed from hearing other’s conversations or music. And to be honest, at times some of the stages are relatively easy, and times where it’s a little difficult to work out as some have multiple requests, and some have a single request. Regardless, you can complete to the next level without having met everyone’s demands. However, it definitely pays to try and meet all logistics as each map location has an extra level which is only unlocked if you tick all of them, making it a bit of a challenge.

Going back to the visuals, the design language used is one of a minimalistic design with spot colours to highlight each level. Characters are seen as a specific shape, and kids are represented with rosy cheeks. The animations are so detailed to the point where every time you pick up a character to place them on a seat as a cute little jiggle or movement. Not only that but the characters have a slight breathing movement to make them all seem alive opposed to just standing static. Eyes blink, speech bubbles have movements, it’s all the little details that Poti Poti Studios have done right. Are are even some items in the environment that can be toggled on to see a slight animation. Whoever the visual design and motion graphics team are definitely should be commended.

If you’re someone who really enjoys puzzle games, or are just needing a break from intense game, this is one that’s for you which will still keep your brain ticking away. As said previously, everything about the animations and visuals are fantastic. Seeing the narrative of characters appear at different levels is just fantastic to see. The only call out is some levels come across a little too easy, and most of all, you’d wish you could have more puzzles to it. Regardless, Is This Seat Taken is definitely a game you should have in your library, which also really suits the handheld platform. It’s simple, yet effective.

The Score

9.0

The Pros

Really fun puzzles

Amazing visual and animation design

The Cons

Some levels are a little easy

Game is a little short, which isn’t necessarily a negative as it leaves players wanting more