Games I Played in April 2026

Games
Exploring the Orchard in 1000xRESIST | Source: Fellow Traveller

I knew nothing about 1000xRESIST (Sunset Visitor) going in, except that it has been highly praised for its narrative. The game immediately launches the player directly into a shocking scene, in which a prayer is interrupted by violence. There’s confusion in this moment. What is happening? Who are these people who call each other “sister” and then “mother”? What is this shiny scifi world?

The story then shifts backwards to explore the events that lead us here. Taking the role of Watcher, who is being inducted into new knowledge by being granted permission to explore the memories Iris (“Mother”), only to witness and report a betrayal from Fixer.

We learn a number of things through these memories and from conversations with the other Sisters. This is a society of clones, all designated by color and their purpose, with no true names. In the past (when Iris was a teenager), a disease began to infect the world and only Iris was immune, which somehow lead to the present reality.

I’ve only finished a couple of hours of the game before having to go on several trips, so I need to dive back into it. But I’m fascinated by what I’ve seen so far. The story has layer after layer of information, so much so it’s sometimes a lot to absorb and remember. It feels like one of those stories I might have experience a couple of times to fully understand.

“Chimeric Dysplasia,” “ Field Study,” and “Time’s Toke” from the Unlikely Collaborators Game Jam

In April, I participated in the Unlikely Collaborator’s Game Jam. My team and I completed “Haiku Hike,” a puzzle adventure game about hiking up a mountain, being awed by nature, and writing poetry. In addition to working on and releasing a game, I played a number of games created by other teams for the jam — and these were some of my favorites.

  • “Chimeric Dysplasia” by Define Narrative is a point-and-click puzzle game in which the player shifts between the present and a medieval time period to escape a dungeon.
  • “Field Study” by The Sheep’s Meow is a surreal experience, flowing through a series of images like poetry.
  • “Time’s Tokens” by b_a_m, wwentting-z, so_sleepy, and ge0rgiee is a puzzle game in which the player opens up a high school time capsule from the past and then fills a new time capsule to bury for the future. The challenge is deciding what will fit into the capsule.
  • “Open Ended” by ConfusedNarwhal is a narrative experience about an author trying to figure out the ending to their fantasy series while using social media, text messages, and other content on their computer as inspiration.
  • “A Rock’s Life” by DorkyYorky is a platformer about a rock that comes to life and goes on a journey. In particular, I loved the art style and would have kept playing, if the game had more levels.
  • “When We Found Us” by Dana is a visual novel about a couple coming together and finding love. An interesting aspect involves controlling both character simultaneously to bring them together.
  • “Awestruck” by remarkablegames is a rogue-like card game, in which the player fights off increasingly stronger and more aggressive bugs.
  • “Caterpillar Climb” by Super Ninja Fat, turboshook, and Me_gan is a puzzle game about a little caterpillar comprised of three segments that the player must help climb a tree. I really enjoyed the platforming challenge of this one.

If you’d also like to know about the books and media that I enjoyed recently, you can check out my Culture Consumption for April.