Why And Roger Is 2025’s Most Devastating Hidden Gem
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Released quietly in July, the indie visual novel And Roger has become one of 2025's most powerful hidden gems by using clever puzzle mechanics to simulate the reality of living with dementia.
Every December brings a rush of year-end lists and catch-up sessions, but some of the most profound experiences of the year slip quietly past the mainstream radar. Developer TearyHand Studio and publisher Kodansha released And Roger back in July for Nintendo Switch and PC, and it immediately established itself as one of the most remarkable releases of 2025. Despite critical acclaim from outlets like Polygon, the visual novel missed the threshold for an aggregated Metacritic score and currently holds fewer than 750 user reviews on Steam. Yet, with a 95 percent positive rating, a five-dollar price tag, and a runtime that fits into a single sitting, it stands as an unmissable achievement.
Billed as a visual novel, And Roger uses interactive mechanics to tell a story that goes far beyond traditional text-heavy storytelling. Players step into the shoes of a young girl trying to navigate a standard morning routine, brushing teeth, making breakfast, and getting ready for school. Simple tasks quickly become harrowing obstacles as buttons scramble across the screen and interface sliders refuse to cooperate. The brilliance of the game lies in its subversion of classic gaming tropes, as these frustrating interface failures reveal a much heavier truth. You are not playing a child at all, but an elderly woman experiencing the disorienting cognitive decline of dementia.
The narrative bravely shifts perspective to highlight the silent toll of caregiving as well, showing a loved one struggling to maintain patience while managing a household under immense emotional strain. For players who treat gaming as an empathetic medium capable of tackling complex human realities, And Roger delivers an unforgettable narrative impact. You can read the original review over at Polygon to dive deeper into its emotional core, and consider adding this brilliant indie project to your holiday playlist before diving into the next major live service update.
Tags: Indie Games, Visual Novels, PC Gaming, Nintendo Switch, Polygon
Original article: Polygon