When I first got my Nintendo Switch, I couldn’t afford many games, so I had to be selective with my choices. After some digging, I picked up Old Man’s Journey by Broken Rules. Released on May 2017, this little indie gem has won so many awards and honourable mentions that listing them all would probably bore you. But let me say this; I’ve made a few regretful purchases in my life—this is not one of them.
Old Man’s Journey is a quiet, contemplative game with a touching narrative that unfolds the longer you play. As the title suggests, you play as an old man who one day receives a mysterious letter. Without any dialogue, you’re drawn into his journey, gradually uncovering the ‘why’ for his travels through a series of beautifully illustrated memories. These snapshots hint at loss, love, and everything in between—and you get to piece it all together yourself.
The visuals are simply stunning. The hand-drawn art style feels like you’re stepping into a picture book. Not once was I displeased or bored by what I saw on screen; if anything, I was captivated. The world pulls you in gently and lets you linger.
Mechanically, the game is simple. You guide the old man by shifting the landscape—aligning hills and rooftops so he can keep moving forward. Occasionally, you’ll click on objects to trigger memories. It’s usually clear what you need to interact with, so there’s no frustrating aimless searching. Best of all—you can’t die. If that’s a deal breaker for you, move along. But if you like relaxed exploration, this is right up your alley.
That said, there are a few things that might put some players off. The core mechanics never evolve, so what you see at the start is pretty much what you get throughout. It’s also short—I finished it in under two hours—and it has little replay value or environmental interaction. Personally, none of that bothers me. I like short games, and the simplicity keeps the storybook-style narrative flowing without interruption. But if you’re into evolving gameplay systems, this might not be for you.
Old Man’s Journey may not be for everyone, but it hit all the marks I care about: beautiful artwork, a moving story, and a short runtime. If that sounds like your kind of experience, this game is for you. Old Man’s Journey is available for download on Nintendo Switch, Steam, and PS4.
May your travels be enlightening—and just a little weird.