The 90 Metacritic Adventure Game That Feels Like Zelda and Animal Crossing Rolled Into One, And You Probably Missed It

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Both The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing are incredibly popular Nintendo games. Chicory: A Colorful Tale successfully blends the best parts of both franchises into a truly memorable experience, but it hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. Despite earning near-perfect reviews and a Metascore of 90, this charming adventure game remains largely unknown, even among fans of the games that inspired it. Today, Chicory is considered a hidden gem, with a quality score that rivals many top indie titles and even some of the beloved Zelda and Animal Crossing games themselves.

Developed by a talented team including Wishes Ultd., Greg Lobanov, and Lena Raine, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a charming adventure game set in a world that looks like a coloring book. The land of Picnic Province has lost all its color when Chicory, a famous artist, disappears. Players step into the role of her biggest fan, inheriting her magical Brush and tasked with restoring color to the world. You’ll explore, solve puzzles, and connect with friendly characters, all while using your painting abilities to bring life back to everything around you. It’s a delightful mix of the adventurous puzzle-solving found in The Legend of Zelda and the relaxing, heartwarming atmosphere of Animal Crossing, yet remains a hidden gem in the gaming world.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale Mimics Classic Zelda’s Top-Down, Puzzle-Solving Design

The Legend of Zelda series has changed a lot over time. While recent games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom are known for their huge, open worlds, older Zelda games were quite different. Titles like A Link to the Past, Link’s Awakening, and The Minish Cap featured smaller, clearly defined areas on a map. Getting further in these games relied more on solving puzzles than on fighting skills. Players explored by moving between screen-sized spaces, and unlocking new areas usually required finding items and completing dungeons or story objectives.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale plays and feels a lot like the classic Zelda games, not just in how you look at the world, but in how the game is designed. Like Zelda, you’ll need to understand how things work to get ahead. You’ll solve puzzles by painting hidden symbols, bringing color back to reveal new routes, and finding clever ways around obstacles. Instead of finding keys or special items, you learn new painting techniques that let you explore and move around Picnic Province in different ways. While the gameplay and atmosphere are unique, the overall structure is remarkably similar to the classic Zelda formula.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale’s Zelda-Like Features

  • TOP-DOWN ADVENTURE PERSPECTIVE rooted in classic Zelda design.
  • CONNECTED OVERWORLD WITH DISTINCT REGIONS designed for deliberate exploration and revisiting.
  • PUZZLE-GATED PROGRESSION, where new abilities recontextualize previously explored areas.
  • ENVIRONMENTAL PUZZLES that emphasize observation and experimentation over combat.
  • ABILITY UNLOCKS that function like classic Zelda items, expanding traversal and interaction.
  • BOSS ENCOUNTERS as progression milestones, punctuating exploration without dominating it.

Similar to Zelda, Chicory: A Colorful Tale masterfully balances lighthearted moments with darker, more intense sequences, especially in its caves and boss battles. While it initially appears as a cheerful and simple adventure, the game doesn’t shy away from heavier themes. This contrast is key to its Zeldainspired feel and gives the story genuine emotional weight. Just like exploring the darker dungeons in classic Zelda games, Chicory*’s shifts in tone make the journey feel meaningful and engaging, elevating it beyond just a lighthearted experience.

Chicory: A Colorful Tale Still Wears the Charm and Coziness of Animal Crossing on Its Sleeve

Despite drawing inspiration from games like Zelda and delivering a touching story, Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a lighthearted and charming experience. Fans of cozy games like Animal Crossing will likely find a lot to love in Chicory, with its world filled with over 100 adorable animals, character customization options, and relaxing music. It successfully captures the comforting feeling of Animal Crossing while also offering the engaging gameplay found in Zelda – a surprisingly delightful combination.

Although Chicory: A Colorful Tale shares some of the charming qualities of Animal Crossing, it’s not a life simulation game. It’s a unique top-down adventure focused on exploring and making progress, without the daily tasks or routines found in those types of games. Instead, Chicory creates a similarly inviting world, encouraging players to take their time, chat with characters, and express their creativity. This difference is key – it explains why fans of cozy games might enjoy Chicory, while it still delivers the adventure-focused gameplay of series like The Legend of Zelda.

You Might Have Missed Chicory: A Colorful Tale, But It’s Worth Checking Out

Many gamers didn’t even notice Chicory: A Colorful Tale when it was released. It didn’t have a big marketing push, and it wasn’t part of a well-known series. But those who did discover it were really impressed, and many have been surprised by how overlooked it was. One player, BakesByTravis, shared their love for the game on Reddit, saying they were completely captivated by it. The post sparked a lot of discussion, with others agreeing and even inspiring people to give Chicory a try.

I’ve been hearing amazing things about Chicory: A Colorful Tale, and it totally shows when you look at the reviews! Critics absolutely loved it when it came out – it has a 90 on Metacritic, and everyone was raving about how creative, emotionally impactful, and cleverly designed the puzzles were. Even on Steam, it’s got a super positive rating. But what’s really interesting is that it only has a little over 2,000 reviews, which feels low for a game that’s gotten so much praise. It seems like the game isn’t lacking in quality or fun, it just hasn’t reached as many people as it deserves… at least not yet. It’s clear those who have played it really connected with it, and I’m hoping more people discover it soon!

While Chicory: A Colorful Tale didn’t immediately become a massive hit, it’s gained a dedicated following. Unlike many adventure games that rely on keeping players hooked with complex systems, Chicory offers a slower, more thoughtful experience. This likely caused some fans of the genre to overlook it. However, if you appreciate the classic design of games like Zelda – especially its focus on puzzles and deliberate pace – or enjoy the charming and expressive nature of Animal Crossing, then Chicory: A Colorful Tale feels like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

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2026-01-11 20:38