Nǐ hǎo, I'm Julia.

I’ve been a gamer for practically my whole life. I started way back when on the Sega Mega Drive, when games were shorter, and there was no concept of saving progress. You had to play and finish the game in a sitting.

Games that I now play on the PlayStation 5 are markedly different. My favourite genre is RPGs (and especially JRPGs) and these take hours upon hours just to complete the main storyline (let alone get to 100% completion!). I also need to be in the right mindset to play these games, as they can be very visually stimulating (think Final Fantasy boss scenes) and mentally draining (should I spend sh*t-tons of gil to upgrade this weapon now? But maybe I’ll find a better weapon in a treasure box exploring!).

As a responsible adult with a full-time job and other interests, fitting games into my daily life is challenging. This means I game in spurts – spending a few months obsessively playing, abandoning it for half a year, then picking it back up when time allows.

Enter the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo portables have been my constant companions since childhood, from the original Game Boy, to the Nintendo 3DS and now the Switch. I own them primarily because I want to play Nintendo exclusive games like Zelda or Mario, which can be equally long and demanding as a PS5 game.

Recently however, the Switch has become my gateway to cosy games (e.g. Stardew Valley and Coffee Talk). While this isn't typically my genre, curiosity led me to try popular titles, and I've genuinely enjoyed many of them. (Animal Crossing not being one of them – I'm still trying to understand the mass appeal.) I'm particularly loving the shorter games, ones that I can pick up when I have some spare time in the evenings and can (satisfyingly) finish before it starts feeling like a bit of a grind.

why i bought florence

Florence caught my attention because of its "innovative storytelling" reputation. Storytelling is something I’m continuously trying to learn about. Coupled with the simple and aesthetically pleasing art style, I thought, why not.

That, or because it was on sale at £1.79.

why i played it

It only took me 1.5 years after buying it to actually play it. 😂 What finally pushed me over the edge was finding myself alone in my flat one evening, feeling too mentally drained to watch TV or read. Gaming called to me, but definitely not Final Fantasy: Rebirth on the PS5. I opened my Switch, rediscovered Florence, and realised this was the perfect moment.

why i was drawn into it

Florence is a pretty quick game and took less than an hour to complete - perfect for the headspace I was in. Looking back, several elements captured my attention:

1. Storytelling with personal growth themes. Florence is about self-discovery, relationship navigation, and life lessons. I love books that delve into personal journeys (like works by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Haruki Murakami, and Patrick Rothfuss), so it’s no wonder that I was attracted to the introspective theme of this game.
2. Unique gameplay and aesthetic. I’d never played a story-driven game where the story is revealed through intuitive, minimalistic mechanics. This included the communication of emotion with minimal dialogue, relying instead, on visuals and music. There’s not too much thinking involved, but requires enough participation to keep you engaged. Florence's clean artistic style also perfectly complements its storytelling, creating a visually pleasing experience.
3. Relatable life experiences. Florence explores universal human experiences like falling in love, heartbreak and self-reflection. I can relate as I’m sure most others can too. It was a bonus that Florence, the central character, is ethnically Chinese like me.

what i’ve taken away

🎭 Storytelling and game design

• Simple systems can deliver compelling experiences.
• Design restraint creates space for emotional connection.
• Gameplay mechanics can mirror emotions – like how conversation puzzles simplify as characters grow closer.

🌱 Personal growth

• Things not working out doesn't mean failure.
• Outgrowing things or people is natural. Learn to let go.
• Embracing creative passions brings fulfilment.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Meaning and connections

• The game highlights everyday activities like brushing teeth and calls with Mum. This makes up most of our lives. Cherish these moments.
• Life rarely follows a straight path. Embrace uncertainty and detours.
• Not everyone who comes into our lives is meant to stay. We might only cross paths with people temporarily, but they might cause us to grow in profound ways.

other interesting bits

• The character Florence is designed to be Chinese Australian, the same as Ken Wong, the director and lead designer of the game.