Dordogne - Video Game Review

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Photo from UN JE NE SAIS QUOI

Dordogne is a single-player narrative adventure video game about a woman named Mimi who, in 2002, travels to Dordogne in the French countryside after her grandmother’s death to visit her house in an attempt to recall lost memories of a summer spent there during her childhood. Dordogne was developed by Un Je Ne Sais Quoi and Umanimation and published by Focus Entertainment on Windows, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on 13 June 2023.

The game begins in 2002 from the point-of-view of Mimi who confesses that she cannot recall her childhood. Her earliest memories are from just before she turned thirteen. She has no idea why this is and has spent most of her adult life attempting to recover her lost childhood memories. The game begins with Mimi learning that her estranged grandmother, Nora, has recently passed away and left behind her house and all of her possessions in Dordogne. Before she died, Nora wrote a second letter addressed to Mimi, encouraging her to visit her house after her death and retrieve a box that she had left for her filled with souvenirs from her childhood. Ignoring her parent's complaints, Mimi travels to Dordogne to visit Nora’s house. Once there, she discovers that Nora has left her letters, audio cassettes, and other mementos to help her remember her lost childhood memories.



Dordogne is one of the most beautiful games that I have ever played. The graphics were designed to resemble watercolour paintings. It was one of the things that drew me to the game in the first place. The artwork was so immersive I felt like I was walking around inside a painting or a children’s picture book. In some scenes, the colours blurred together and streaked down the screen like rain against a window. It was utterly breathtaking. I also really liked the voice acting, soundtrack, characters and story as well. Just listening to the emotion in Mimi’s voice as she recalls her childhood spent in Dordogne makes me want to tear up. This game made me nostalgic for my own childhood and the time I spent with my grandparents.

If I have one criticism about Dordogne it would be that some of the puzzle mechanics were a little frustrating at times. I had to look up a few solutions to some of the puzzles because it was difficult to figure out what I was doing wrong. Another issue I had with the game was it only took me four hours to finish. I wish that there had been a little bit more for me to do. I’ve heard some complaints from people who think that the price tag for this game is too high because it only takes a few hours to finish. I disagree with that assessment. I think that Dordogne is worth the high price tag because a lot of hard work and love went into making this game. It was charming to play and a work of art.

Summary: Dordogne is a coming-of-age game about friendship, adventure, nostalgia, grief, relationships, and lost memories of a childhood summer spent in the French countryside with grandma.
Website: Dorgone - UN JE NE SAIS QUOI
Cost $29.99
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