Trigger warning: this game covers content such as homophobia, gay bashing, police brutality, racism, and murder threats. Play at your own discretion.

A Classic Walking Simulator Experience

Plum Road Tea Dream by Samuel Baidoo, and published by Reveal Games Studio, is at its core an LGBTQ+ walking simulator. Walking sims are a relatively small niche of the gaming sphere. Often used to experience nature, feel emotions, and just be. They’re beloved for their slow pace and the ability to immerse yourself in the environment.

Now, before we get into the review, there’s one thing I must make clear: I don’t often frequent walking sims. With that said, some nitpicks I have may just be what you’d expect from a game coming from such a genre. With that said, let’s begin.

A Tale of Grief and Identity 

Plum Road Tea Dream is at its core a game about self-acceptance of ones LBGTQ+ identity. Specifically, about how to love and value yourself in a society that wants you to be anything else. It also touches on the tragic consequences of being yourself in such a raw way that you can’t shy away from it; and so, forces you to consider if it’s worth the risk.

Saving Others with Open Arms

If so, could you help others learn to accept themselves?

One of the minigames forces you to answer that question. As you talk to the NPCs throughout the game, you’ll be given the task to help them with their various personal woes. You’ll do this by clicking on the right option to begin and continue the interaction. Pick the wrong one too many times, and you must begin the interaction all over again.

Sounds simple right? Too good to be true? Well as surprising as it maybe, it truly is that simple. This is an area that Plum Road Tea Dream excels at; making each minigame simple to understand and easy to excel at. The key for the minigame shown above in particular? Compassion. For you see the NPCs aren’t obstacles but a reflection on how you treat and view others, sometimes making you question your first instincts.

But to Save All One Must Climb the Neverending Stairwell

So, we reach my main gripe with the game. Some portions feel never-ending without anything to do. For instance, the stairwell is a minute of just climbing up and up without a clue of when it’ll end; or really why we’re even doing it. Made ever the more tiresome by not having the ability to run; instead, being stuck at a slow walking pace. Now to give credit where credit is due: there’s always something of importance at the end. But without any reason given initially for the trek, for me, it got rather dull very fast.

The Use of the Unique Art style 

As you may have noticed, Plum Road Tea Dream‘s art style is unlike what’s typically seen in games, being a combination of 3D rendering and hand-drawn sprites. This sort of style may seem jarring to some, but in places such as this body of water, its full potential is on display. It showcases a conflict in emotions that matches the conflict of styles. I interpret it as fear of being your colorful true self, since reality can be cruel and try to wash it away.

Am I reading too far into it? Perhaps. Though the way I see it, once you hit the point that people can argue over such matters is when you’ve truly made it as an artist.

Final Thoughts 

Though Plum Road Tea Dream was dull at points, it holds a story that needs to be told. Far too often LGBTQ + stories take place in locations where violence is a constant worry. So, the fact that this game doesn’t just touch on it, but from what I could tell, is centered around it; is a blessing. It’s my hope that this game manages to inspire others to likewise tell their personal stories, so they don’t get lost to the tides.