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GamesRadar
GamesRadar
Technology
Oscar Taylor-Kent

This puzzle game almost made me want to talk to strangers after its chill Steam Next Fest demo got me hooked on organizing seating charts

Key art for in Is This Seat Taken? showing shapes waiting at a bus stop.

Okay, so these two kids want to sit next to each other, and also have a nap. But these other two want to have a loud chat. So they can't be near the kids or they'll wake up. But also I can't move the chatterboxes back there because that person skipped showering and one of those in the conversation really doesn't like bad smells. I could shift them across the aisle but, gah, then they'd be next to someone else who really wants to ride this bus alone while peering out the window. So it goes in Is This Seat Taken?, a logic puzzle game that's taxing and chill in equal measure.

From Poti Poti Studio (and published by Wholesome Games Presents), I've been playing the really lovely and generous Steam Next Fest demo that had me working my way through multiple modes of transportation, a cinema screening, a dine-in disco, and even a wedding reception, encompassing the Barcelona-set chapter of the game. I knew going in I loved the art style, with its monochromatic colors, chunky text, and people who are emotive literal shapes. But I didn't expect to get so hooked on listening to each shape's requests and puzzling out where to place them to get max stars. This is one of the best puzzle games I've played all year, and I can't wait for more.

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