Chicory: A Colorful Tale is one of those rare indie gems that appear out of nowhere and capture our attention with surprisingly enjoyable gameplay, a fascinating tale, and sincere writing. It takes place in a universe coloured by a magical paintbrush wielded by Chicory. This universe is otherwise black and white, but thanks to the paintbrush and Chicory’s assistance, it has been painted in vibrant and vivid colours.
Chicory’s primary character is a dog with a name based on our favourite meal, which defaults to Pizza if we don’t choose one. This dog is Chicory’s biggest admirer and works at the Wielder’s tower. However, one day, the entire world returns to black and white, forcing the dog (let’s name it Pizza) to explore the area in search of the source of the darkness. Pizza discovers the mysterious Chicory brush and embarks on a mission to discover the source of the darkness that has consumed the world.
The game provides an experience that reminds memories of playing The Legend of Zelda from a top-down perspective. There is no genuine combat in it. Moving to the next stage requires a mix of puzzles and problem-solving abilities. In Chicory: A Colorful Tale, the world is essentially your canvas, and you can use your brush at any time. It’s similar to Okami in that the main gameplay concept relies upon using a brush to solve puzzles or overcome obstacles, however it lacks the game’s combat.
The game was initially released for PC and PlayStation consoles, therefore the conversion to the Nintendo Switch includes some substantial adjustments. They are mostly concerned with how we control the paintbrush for Pizza, with several control options available. The analogue stick is used for brush strokes in the standard controls, but you may optionally utilise touchscreen or motion controls for the brush.
To be honest, the new control schemes are a mixed bag. While the touch controls function adequately, they are not well thought out. When we use the touch controls to move our brush, it appears that the game treats it more like a mouse cursor than a legitimate input. Rather than responding to our input, the brush takes a long time to be moved around the screen. This is expected given that the game was not designed with the Switch in mind, yet it still seems underwhelming in comparison to other similar versions.
If you like motion controls, they are wonderful; nevertheless, they can frequently result in somewhat goofy controls, which is not ideal for playing the game for an extended period. Aside from that, the load times for the Nintendo Switch version are a little longer, especially if we’re coming from playing the game on the PC or PS5, but this just pertains to the initial load screen, so there’s that.
The game begins simply by granting Pizza the power to paint in this new black and white world. Our skills are restricted at first, but as the game advances, more abilities become available, leading to a variety of puzzle types. The puzzles themselves are fairly enjoyable to solve, and virtually all of them revolve around the paintbrush in some manner. The world and its inhabitants react to every stroke of the paintbrush, with some offering us the opportunity to paint their houses and others requesting it for a specific goal.
Pizza may use the brush to create new paths, such as painting a plant to cause it to bloom into a tree that can be utilised to go between two areas or filling bubbles in plants to cause them to erupt. You may also help the ecology by painting a river and allowing Pizza to swim across it. Not all skills will be available right once, and some brush styles will be restricted behind optional missions. Because the world is displayed as an open colour book, you may take your time painting it whatever you like, or simply create a mess as I do.
While there isn’t much general combat, there are several boss fights. It would be unfair to classify them as “boss fights,” yet they look to be so. These interactions provide an insight into the protagonist’s prior deeds while also giving them narrative significance. The writing is excellent, with each character in the universe receiving equal development so that you can become involved in the plot. Chicory is a lovely metaphor about how one finds themselves in a society where they are always kept on a pedestal as a creator and the effect this has on them.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is just the correct length and doesn’t drag on too long. There’s a lot to accomplish here, from the main plot to side tasks. Unlocking new skills frequently leads to the discovery of previously inaccessible secret locations, and exploring them leads to the revelation of fresh pieces of knowledge about the world and its characters. Overall, it is a game that invites exploration and is supported by excellent storytelling.
Disclaimer: This review was conducted with a review copy provided by Finji.
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a terrific adventure game that uses a paintbrush as the primary gameplay element to deliver an emotive tale and innovative level design. Although the port itself has some minor flaws, it is one of the greatest indies published on the Nintendo Switch.