Summary

Release Year: 2018
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Puzzle, Role-playing game (RPG)
Platforms: Linux, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Developers: Dim Bulb Games
Publishers: Good Shepherd Entertainment, Serenity Forge

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine: A Narrative Adventure Through American Folklore and History

Released in 2018, Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a narrative adventure game that takes players on a journey through American folklore and history. Developed by Dim Bulb Games and published by Serenity Forge, the game features gorgeous hand-drawn illustrations and a haunting soundtrack that combine to create an unforgettable experience.

Players take on the role of a traveler who is tasked with collecting stories from people they meet along the way. These stories can be anything from tall tales and legends to personal anecdotes and historical accounts. As the traveler collects stories, they learn more about the people and places that make up the United States, and they begin to understand the complex and often contradictory nature of the American experience.

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is not a game about combat or puzzles. Instead, it is a game about exploration, discovery, and conversation. Players are free to travel anywhere they want in the game’s world, and they can talk to anyone they meet. The conversations that players have are often lengthy and branching, and they can lead to unexpected and surprising places.

One of the things that makes Where the Water Tastes Like Wine so special is its commitment to authenticity. The game’s world is based on real-life locations, and the stories that players collect are based on real American folklore and history. The game also features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique stories to tell.

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a game that is both beautiful and thought-provoking. It is a game that will stay with you long after you finish playing it.

Gameplay

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a narrative adventure game played from a top-down perspective. Players control a traveler who is tasked with collecting stories from people they meet along the way. The game’s world is a 3D overworld map of the United States, and players can travel anywhere they want by clicking on the map.

When players encounter a person, they can talk to them to learn their story. Conversations are often lengthy and branching, and they can lead to unexpected and surprising places. Players can also choose to give the person a gift, which will sometimes lead to them telling a different story.

As players collect stories, they will learn more about the people and places that make up the United States. They will also begin to understand the complex and often contradictory nature of the American experience.

Setting

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is set in the United States during the 1930s. The game’s world is a 3D overworld map of the country, and players can travel anywhere they want by clicking on the map.

The game’s setting is based on real-life locations, and the stories that players collect are based on real American folklore and history. The game also features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique stories to tell.

Characters

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique stories to tell. Players will meet farmers, ranchers, cowboys, Native Americans, immigrants, and many others.

Each character has their own unique perspective on the American experience, and their stories will help players to understand the complex and often contradictory nature of the country.

Themes

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a game that explores a variety of themes, including:

The American Dream
The myth of the West
The importance of storytelling
The power of empathy
The search for meaning in life

The game does not offer any easy answers to these questions, but it does provide a thought-provoking exploration of them.

Critical Reception

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its beautiful visuals, haunting soundtrack, and thought-provoking narrative. Many reviewers also praised the game’s commitment to authenticity and its diverse cast of characters.

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine was nominated for several awards, including the Game of the Year award at the 2019 Independent Games Festival. The game also won the Best Narrative award at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards.

Conclusion

Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is a beautiful, thought-provoking, and unforgettable experience. It is a game that will stay with you long after you finish playing it. If you are a fan of narrative adventure games, or if you are interested in American folklore and history, then I highly recommend checking out Where the Water Tastes Like Wine.