Little Goody Two Shoes (PlayStation 5) Review

In the quaint village of Kieferberg, nestled amidst the whispering pines and shrouded in an eerie mist, Elise grapples with a heart consumed by insatiable desire, her ambition knows no bounds. Upon finding magical red shoes that grants wishes, she gets more than she bargains for. This newly acquired mystical footwear is cursed and gradually making her lose her mind. Yet, amidst this tempest of ambition, a fragile thread of love holds her from the precipice of darkness.

Little Goody Two Shoes is a story driven 'cottagecore' adventure game that has defined RPG Maker roots. It is a well-written and engaging story that explores themes of ambition, temptation, and the cost of dreams. The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed. The three deuteragonists are all interesting and likeable; Rose is kind and compassionate, Violet is smart and resourceful, and Lily is creative and artistic. Together, they face the dangers lurking within the forest, confronting not only the physical threats but also the inner demons that threaten to consume Elise.

As Elise ventures further, she encounters a variety of puzzles that test her wit and ingenuity. These puzzles, ranging from simple spatial challenges to more complex riddles, require careful observation and logical reasoning to overcome. While generally straightforward, they provide a welcome break from the exploration and narrative, adding a layer of mental stimulation to the core exploration.

Little Goody Two Shoes's resource management system that adds a layer of strategic depth to the adventure. Elise's well-being must be carefully maintained, ensuring she has adequate food to sustain her energy and sufficient sleep to restore her health and sanity. Balancing these needs with the demands of exploration and puzzle-solving becomes an integral part of the experience. Players manage the passage of time by performing a single activity during each segment of the day, at the cost of bread which represents hunger. These tasks are presented as adorable coin-op-style minigames, rewarding success with coins that can be used to purchase valuable resources. The game's survival element requires regular monitoring of three parameters: vitality, hunger, and mental health.

Hunger increases throughout the day, and players must manage it carefully to avoid a game over. Maintaining mental health requires nightly explorations into the Kieferberg Forest, away from prying eyes and suspicion. These excursions, which introduce the horror element, not only help unravel the mysterious calamity that has befallen the village but also contribute to Elise's rising instability, leading her to question her own sanity.

Finally, the suspicion component must be managed because the protagonist's unconventional and spirited nature inevitably attracts attention from the villagers who blame her for the strange occurrences that plague them. Balancing these dynamics proves to be a captivating challenge, and the title's length ensures that it remains engaging throughout. Little Goody Two Shoes features 10 endings which can be tedious to experience since replaying means having to replay many of events and minigames.

Scattered throughout the world are various items that prove invaluable to Elise's journey. These objects, ranging from healing potions to tools for overcoming obstacles, must be carefully sought out and utilized strategically. The clever use of these items can significantly impact the course of Elise's adventure, creating a resourcefulness element to the adventure.

Little Goody Two Shoes's art direction is the most spellbindingquality. With a colour palette that evokes a sense of nostalgia for classic 90s adventure games and early 2000s shoujo anime, the game excels in its use of mis-en-scene. The sweeping views of breathtaking landscapes, the animated forest scenes, and even subtle details like the UI design and fluid animation showcase an exceptional level of attention to detail.

The minimalist hand-painted setting is the crowning jewel of the game, adding a touch of magic to the experience. Even the short cutscenes, interspersed throughout the adventure to highlight key narrative elements, exude artistic refinement. For all of its flaws, Little Goody Two Shoes can't be faulted for making a powerful impression with its visual flair.