Two qualities stand out in Anodyne: one, its designer's willingness to engage in symbolism and two, the quality of its mazes. Both can be hit-or-miss (hits: the red cave, apartments, and hotel; misses: the suburb, acrobats tent, endgame platforming), but I appreciate the use of 2D Zelda mechanics as a vehicle of authorial expression. There could be more connective tissue and context, but I enjoyed the open-ended, suggestive approach to story taken in most of the game. The mechanical complications of the final boss were fun and conveyed "final boss," but I found that it didn't do much to deepen the story. The ending was, somehow, just what I expected. I'm looking forward to what sounds like a more thoughtful and interesting game in the shape of its sequel.

I remember playing this a long time ago when it first came out, but at that point I had no experience with 2D Zelda likes. This was such a calming, contained, and engaging gaming experience. I loved the atmosphere, the short little puzzles, and the exploration. Despite the story not being super easy to understand, it was still charming and I felt like there was a lot of depth and deeper meaning that could be found in talking to the world's inhabitants. I would say my favorite part of the game though, strictly from a stylistic angle is when you're sitting on top of the hotel talking to the boy that sees the lights in the cityscape as individual people that he loves. Really took me out of the action and caused me to sit back and take it all in.