A cute yet challenging action-adventure

Tynk! and the Final Phonorecord is a free-to-play action-adventure game developed by VirtualMoth. This game has a heavy emphasis on puzzles, requiring you to use imagination and logic as you guide Tynk to bring her new mixtape to the right people. Its story of chasing stardom combined with its cartoonish visual makes it fun and engaging.

Its retro RPG feels make Tynk! and the Final Phonorecord visually similar to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 2D. Additionally, its city vibes make it closer to another indie action-adventure, SLUDGE LIFE.

Solve puzzles and find stardom

Right off the bat, Tynk! and the Final Phonorecord has a fun premise. The titular cat is an artist struggling to get mainstream recognition. In the game, you get to accomplish a variety of tasks from different and colorful characters. However, to do so, you must solve puzzles that are both challenging and cleverly made. Almost none of the puzzles in this game are straightforward, making it enjoyable.

Aside from the story and the challenge it affords, the game is also visually fun. Its simple, retro-styled graphics evoke a nostalgic feel that works perfectly for gamers who are looking to unwind. Its 16-bit aesthetic, but with crisp colors and none of the blurred palette in dated video games, work in its favor. The same can be said for the music; using loud chiptune tracks complete the retro vibes.

For those who aren’t fans of puzzle-based RPGs, this game might come across as frustrating because of its frequency and difficulty. Considering how the game has a short playthrough, it makes puzzles take up a huge part of your game time and less for other experiences. These puzzles also include interaction patterns, instead of simple visual tests or item recovery missions.

A fun indie experience

Tynk! and the Final Phonorecord is a well-thought-out video game, from its relatable story to its effective use of retro elements to convey its unique narrative. Its retro appeal is not only in its visual and auditory aspects but also in the gameplay itself. Its use of a wide range of puzzles is a great element, but only for fans of it. Others might find it difficult and frustrating.