I’m all about retro graphics lately, especially ones that remind me of cuddling up in my mom’s bed playing Game Boy when I was young. (Technically it was my sister’s, but she was usually willing to share when she wasn’t using it.) Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories is a story-exploration game that has that kind of retro-inspired look I love. There’s something immediately comforting about it. Also, let’s be real, a game about melons is kind of weird, and weird is also right up my alley. The game seems cute at first, but under the adorableness lies crime and corruption…
Honeydew works at a melon factory. For what it’s worth, she seems to be a rabbit, not a melon. So that’s not weird. If she were a melon working at a melon factory, that’s like a person working at a person factory… but moving on. Melon’s friend Cantaloupe is missing, so she leaves her shift at Eglantine Industries and heads to Hog Town. In the town, melons are being outlawed and corruption runs rampant.
Honeydew has so many questions, including whether or not the Cavity Crew is dangerous and if the Kitten King is responsible for all the town’s troubles. I’m betting no to the Cavity Crew and yet but with help for the Kitten King. She’ll look everywhere in the green-tinted pixelated world, accompanied by a jazzy lo-fi soundtrack (more than 90 tracks!), in attempt to save the day. The world is an idea to the Game Boy generation, but with modern twists.
Collect clues, interrogate eccentric yet shady characters, sneak through the seedy underworld, and use keen observations skills and quick wit to piece together the whole picture. Honeydew will encounter dozens of characters with unique personalities and backstories.
Developed by Froach Club in conjunction with Poppy Works, and published by XSEED Games, Melon Journey: Bittersweet Memories will be released digitally for PC via Steam/GOG/Humble, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on March 7, 2023.
