Dorfromantik

Dorfromantik has been on my mind since it launched in Early Access, and let me tell you, it’s hands down my favourite time-killer in my massive library of games.

It’s super easy to jump into, doesn’t bombard you with a million things to do, relaxed to the max – but here’s the kicker: It’s surprisingly deep. I mean, it depends on what you’re expecting, but bear with me.

Dorfromantik doesn’t have fancy gimmicks or make use of confusing elements. Nope, it keeps it simple and sweet, hooking you with gameplay that’s consistently enjoyable. Just place your tiles on the board and try to score as many points as you can – and here’s the deep part, I suppose: Points vary based on placement, like, what you placed it next to, how many of the same tiles are connected, how many of the tiles next to this one has matching corners. And on top of that, you got little mini-quests that need fulfilling in order to bring in more tiles for you to place, and more tiles = higher score. As a bonus, you unlock new types of tiles by finishing achievements.

But even with all that, it’s the kind of game that lets you genuinely relax – from the relaxed gameplay loop, to the pretty visuals, and the soothing musical score. Honestly. While the game can be considerably more involved if you want to chase score, at no point does it force you to do this. It even helps you along with where to place tiles.  

Oh, yeah, the friggin’ music! Let me tell you, it’s like the musical equivalent of, well, whatever truly satisfying thing you prefer. For me, a hot cup of instant coffee with a splash of milk and an episode of The Wire. What? I’m a simple man.

In the world of casual games, Dorfromantik is the one that shines the brightest. It’s got an undeniable charm. It’s a bit like Civilization, not in terms of gameplay, mind you, but in that ‘just one more turn’ kind of way. You’ll find yourself stuck in it for way longer than you intended. If you’re in the mood for a casual/puzzle game that’s the absolute chilliest something can be, do yourself a favour and dive into Dorfromantik.
Trust me, you won’t regret it.