Nǐ hǎo, I'm Julia.

I’ve been a gamer for practically my whole life. My gaming journey began on the Sega Mega Drive, back when "saving your progress" wasn't even a concept—you either finished the game in one sitting or started all over again next time. Simple days.

Fast forward to now, and I'm marveling at photorealistic landscapes on my PlayStation 5. My gaming preferences have evolved into epic RPGs (especially JRPGs) that demand not just dozens of hours to complete, but the right headspace to fully appreciate. There's something both magnificent and utterly draining about navigating a Final Fantasy boss battle while simultaneously calculating whether spending an obscene amount of gil on a weapon upgrade is worth it—especially when there might be something better hiding in some random treasure chest just around the corner.

Being an adult with a full-time job aiming to have a "social life" means my gaming happens in intense bursts—I'll disappear into digital worlds for weeks, then suddenly remember I have other responsibilities and not touch a controller for months. It's a cycle of obsession and abandonment that any adult gamer will recognise with a knowing smile.

why i gave florence a chance

Nintendo handhelds have been my loyal pocket companions since childhood—from the brick-like original Game Boy to my current Switch. While I originally bought them to play Nintendo exclusives like Zelda and Mario (which can be just as demanding as anything on PS5), lately my Switch has transformed into something unexpected: my portal to "cozy gaming."

This isn't typically my genre—I'm more "defeat the ancient evil threatening all existence" than "run a quaint coffee shop"—but curiosity led me to try some of these titles, and I've been genuinely charmed by many of them. (Though Animal Crossing still baffles me—I feel like I'm missing some secret that everyone else is in on.) What's especially appealing are the shorter games that I can pick up during a quiet evening and satisfyingly complete before they start feeling like another item on my to-do list.

Florence stood out because of its reputation for "innovative storytelling"—something I'm perpetually trying to better understand across all media. The clean, aesthetically pleasing art style was an added bonus.

That, or because it was on sale for £1.79. (Let's be honest—sometimes that's all the motivation needed.)

why i finally played it

It only took me... checks notes... a mere 1.5 years after purchasing to actually play it. 😂 The catalyst wasn't anything profound—just finding myself alone in my flat one evening, feeling too mentally drained for TV or reading. The siren call of gaming beckoned, but definitely not Final Fantasy: Rebirth with its emotional complexity and strategic depth. I opened my Switch, rediscovered Florence sitting patiently in my digital library, and realised this was the perfect moment for something gentle yet engaging.

why it captivated me

Florence is a beautifully compact experience—under an hour from start to finish, which was exactly what my brain needed. Looking back, several elements pulled me in:

1. Storytelling with genuine emotional depth. Florence explores self-discovery, relationship navigation, and life lessons with a delicacy that many 60-hour epics never achieve. I've always been drawn to books that illuminate personal journeys (Taylor Jenkins Reid, Haruki Murakami, Patrick Rothfuss), so it's no surprise that Florence's introspective path resonated with me like a tuning fork struck at just the right frequency.

2. Gameplay that serves the story, not vice versa. I'd never experienced a narrative-driven game where intuitive, minimalistic mechanics reveal the emotional beats with such precision. The game communicates complex feelings with barely any dialogue, letting visuals and music do the heavy lifting. It requires just enough participation to keep you engaged—like turning the pages of a particularly beautiful picture book that occasionally asks for your help to move the story forward.

3. Universal experiences told through specific details. Florence explores falling in love, heartbreak, and self-discovery—experiences we've all navigated in some form. The fact that Florence, the main character, is ethnically Chinese like me was an unexpected connection that made certain cultural moments (like family expectations) feel particularly authentic.

what i’ve taken away

🎭 Storytelling that sticks with you

• Simple systems can deliver emotionally complex experiences when thoughtfully designed. Florence proves you don't need cutting-edge graphics or complicated mechanics to create something unforgettable.
• Design restraint creates space for emotional resonance. By stripping away unnecessary elements, Florence lets players fill the gaps with their own experiences and emotions.
• Gameplay mechanics can mirror emotional states brilliantly—like how the conversation puzzles become simpler as characters grow closer, reflecting the ease that develops in relationships over time.

🌱 Growth happens in unexpected ways

• Things not working out doesn't mean they failed—sometimes relationships serve their purpose by leading us to better understand ourselves before ending.
• Outgrowing things or people is a natural part of life. Learning to let go with grace is one of the hardest and most necessary skills we develop.
• Embracing creative passions brings fulfilment that can surprise us—Florence's journey back to art reminds me that our childhood interests often hold clues to our adult happiness.

🧘🏻‍♀️ Finding meaning in the everyday

• The game highlights mundane activities like brushing teeth and weekly calls with Mom. These moments comprise most of our lives—quiet routines that deserve more appreciation than we typically give them.
• Life rarely follows a straight path. The detours and unexpected turns often lead to the most important discoveries about ourselves.
• Not everyone who enters our lives is meant to stay forever. Some people are temporary chapters in our story, but their impact can redirect our entire narrative 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.