Some games don’t need explosions, boss battles or flashy mechanics to leave a lasting impression. Wednesdays is one of those quiet games that surprises you, not with action, but with heart. Made by The Pixel Hunt (creators of Bury Me, My Love) and written by Pierre Corbinais (whose credits include Road 96 and its prequel Road 96: Mile 0), this is a deeply personal and emotional game that explores trauma, memory and healing in an honest and heartfelt way.
It’s not your typical sit-down-and-play-for-fun game. It’s more like slowly leafing through an old photo album – sometimes comforting, sometimes painful, but always meaningful. If you like narrative games that take their time and let you soak things in, Wednesdays might just touch your heart.
Wednesdays is available on Steam and Itch.io for $9.99.
Story – A Beautiful Way to Deal With Trauma Without Being Explicit
The story revolves around Tim, a man who revisits a virtual amusement park from his childhood, Orca Park. But it’s not just nostalgia for its own sake. This park holds pieces of a past he hasn’t fully come to terms with, and as you explore and reconstruct it, fragments of Tim’s trauma are revealed.
What makes the story so powerful is its natural flow. It doesn’t spoon-feed you emotions or play the dramatization card. On the contrary, it gives you the opportunity to connect with Tim on your own terms. You slowly discover what happened in his past, and how he’s trying to make sense of it all now, as an adult. It’s tender, raw, and honestly quite beautiful in its simplicity.
The whole thing feels very personal, as if you’re helping someone through their memories, one step at a time. The game respects the heavy themes it tackles, but is never overloaded or preachy.
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- Tim and his grandpa talking in one of the memories.
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- There are several morals throughout the game, making reminders that the victims are never alone.
Gameplay – Simplicity & Symbolism
In terms of gameplay, it’s a mix of park building and narrative exploration. You bring Orca Park to life little by little – placing rides, chatting with characters, unlocking memories. It’s very relaxing and never stressful, which fits the tone of the game perfectly.
Each attraction you build helps Tim discover a new part of his past. It’s not a challenge, it’s a discovery. You’re not there to win, but to listen, explore and piece together a story.
The simplicity of the mechanics works in the game’s favor. It doesn’t get in the way of the narrative; on the contrary, it complements it. The construction of the park is also symbolic, as if you’re not just repairing a place, but helping Tim to slowly rebuild himself.
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- The game takes care of giving you warnings when the memories includes sensitives topics.
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- Depending on the line you chose, the scene can be approached by another point of view.
Graphics and Sound – Soft & Warm to Contrast With the Topics
Visually, Wednesdays has that soft, warm look that really adds to the mood. It’s not overly detailed or realistic, but it doesn’t need to be – the art style is clean, expressive and soothing. Orca Park is almost like a memory in itself: a little washed-out, a little dreamlike, but full of meaning.
The sound is equally charming. The soundtrack is cool, emotional, but never intrusive. It fades in and out just right – sometimes you barely notice it, but it’s always there, adding a layer of atmosphere that makes everything feel more grounded and sincere. Small sounds – like the wind, the hum of a merry-go-round or footsteps – plunge you deeper into the world without overdoing it.
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- Despite its subjects, the game gives some (short) moments of humor, warming the heart.
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- It’s also colorful, contrasting with the story.
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- The relationships between Tim and his relatives is beautiful.
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- Some moments have a light touch of humor that reveals something darker.
This review was done with a key provided by Pierre Corbinais.
