and Roger Review

and Roger is a gut-punch. The type of game that is both inventive mechanically and emotionally moving. It is stylish, sometimes cute, and often devastating. At only about an hour long, and Roger is a quick play, but it will likely stick with me forever. And yet I can’t tell you much of anything about it. Not really, anyway. Diving deep into why the game works, and what it’s about would completely take the air out of it. Instead, you just have to trust me. Do you think that’s something you could do?

Publisher: Kodansha

Developer: TearyHand Studio

Platform: Played on PC (Steam)

Availability: Released on July 23, 2025 for Windows PC and macOS (Steam).

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To demand that someone trusts you implicitly without knowing the context is a big ask. If you don’t know what’s going on or my reasoning, how could you possibly take that leap? But leap you must. It's the only way you’ll ever know why this is currently my GOTY. But let me help you out a little bit, at least. 

Let’s start by saying the obvious — and Roger is great to look at and listen to. The art style is simple and clean, with bold linework and a simple palette. There aren’t many animations, as the story is mostly shown in striking frames at the center of the screen while you complete a puzzle, but the way every element of the visual design combines (UI, images, colors, etc.) is a real treat. All of this is backed by a gentle soundtrack that helps set the mood in any given sequence. 

Mechanically, and Roger is a point-and-click adventure puzzle game where nearly every short scene and screen introduces a wholly new mechanic or action for you to complete in order to advance. There isn’t a lot of cohesion moment-to-moment on the specific types of tasks you’ll be assigned to complete, but you’ll notice some throughlines that crop up (such as moving things simultaneously or timing your button presses) that will frequently be remixed or expanded upon as the story evolves.

...the emotions and ideas that the game are communicating with you are not always pleasant. 

Each new “puzzle” is cleverly designed to put you in on the action, with frantic moments being more shaky and tense, while lighter, sweeter moments are a bit more breezy and whimsical. Every aspect of the game is pushing you toward a feeling. It is communicating the story and characterization through its gameplay in a way that feels substantial and unique. This can be both beautiful and bittersweet, as the emotions and ideas that the game are communicating with you are not always pleasant. 

And that’s okay. It's more than okay! We need art that challenges us. Art that can move us to tears. Art that can shape the way we not only approach the world around us, but can also make us consider ourselves and our place in it. and Roger is one such game — a poignant and crushing examination of life and love under the toughest of circumstances.

Verdict

and Roger is devastating in its execution, somehow managing to pack the story full of fear, happiness, love, confusion, and everything in between — all within a one hour timespan. Its unique and creative gameplay not only supports the narrative, but is integral to its delivery. It’s the type of game that will inspire developers and players for years to come. A truly singular piece of art in the gaming space.