Concrete Genie

'Concrete Genie (2019)' is a simple but satisfying game about the uplifting power of art. It puts you in the shoes of a shy young artist who comes across a magic paintbrush that brings his creations to life and has the ability to clear the strange darkness that is slowly enveloping his rundown town. It's a short but sweet experience, clocking in at around five or six hours in total, What it lacks in length it makes up for in charm, though. It's generally a pleasant experience. Its focus, for the most part, is on creation instead of destruction, which is (sadly) actually quite rare for a video-game. There is a bit of conflict in the title, the details of which I won't spoil here, but it isn't too intense and there's never a focus on violence. Instead, you're allowed to let your creativity roam free as you progress through the game's various locations. The gameplay itself revolves around simple, semi-open world platforming and some rudimentary puzzles involving different types of customisable creature you bring to life with your paintbrush. It's basic but enjoyable, able to appeal to gamers of any age. Each of its stages has, essentially, something new to offer and its pacing is on point throughout. Its narrative isn't exactly deep, but it's well-told and has some solid messages at its core. One of the game's main flaws is that its third act takes a bit of an odd turn, transforming the title into something it doesn't quite seem interested in being. Still, it's a fun enough segment in and of itself. Overall, the experience is charming, friendly and fun. It isn't particularly complex or challenging, but it's entertaining enough. 7/10.