Relaxing “Cozy Games” are becoming increasingly popular. One such game is the puzzle game “A Little to the Left.” However, the premise doesn’t sound relaxing at all at first: You have to tidy up and eliminate the chaos created by your cat. How this works as a game on Steam has been tested by MeinMMO author Linda B.
What is “A Little to the Left”?
- The puzzle game was released in November 2022 on Steam and for the Nintendo Switch. It was realized by just 2 people, Annie Macmillan and Lukas Steinman.
- There is now also a DLC, “Cupboards & Drawers” available.
- On Steam, the game currently has 90% positive ratings.
Here you can get a glimpse of the game:
This is how the tidying madness works
In over 75 levels, you sort, stack, and organize household items. What can be really annoying in real life becomes extremely relaxing in “A Little to the Left,” set to calm music and simple yet pretty graphics.
Since there are multiple solutions for each puzzle, you are a bit freer in your problem-solving, as you don’t have to come up with “the one solution.” This way, you can also attempt a level multiple times.
Additionally, there is a daily extra level that rewards you with fun badges.
What do I particularly like? What impressed me most about the game were the innovative ideas that turn the organizing of everyday items into puzzles.
Sometimes you just have to straighten a few pictures, sometimes put away a toolbox, and other times set the table faster than your mischievous cat can mess it up. Because your house cat has quite a knack for chaos.
The inner monk in me
Do you know those videos where cakes are cut crookedly or things are cut incorrectly? Do you get anxious watching them? Then you are the perfect target audience for “A Little to the Left”.
Because essentially, it’s all about sorting things in the most satisfying way possible. In the end, everything is straight, has its perfect place – and then the next level comes. My inner monk really keeps me on my toes. Because as soon as I see the newly created chaos, I have to quickly put a battery in here, peel a label off there – and suddenly I’ve played 5 more levels.
Even Jasmin “Gnu” has tried her hand at the tidying puzzle and has fallen into the spiral of addiction:
What wasn’t so great? I should perhaps mention that I’m not usually a huge puzzle fan. My frustration tolerance is not very high, and during puzzle segments in other games, I usually quickly look up the solution online.
In “A Little to the Left,” the difficulty often arises mainly from figuring out what the task is at all. What am I supposed to do with this pile of letters? And where does this cleaning sponge go?
The principle is actually pretty cool, as it fosters creative thinking. A couple of times, however, at least for me, there was some frustration because I felt my solution idea was appropriate, but it didn’t count.
Fortunately, there are quite clear hints to help you get through if you lose interest in a level. And in general, I definitely wouldn’t describe the game as hard.
Conclusion: Overall, “A Little to the Left” is a charming little game for all order-loving puzzle fans, in which you can relax with a hot drink, especially in the cold season.
Even when you’re feeling down, relaxing “Cozy Games” can be great. They take us to a beautiful world and let us forget the stressful everyday life for a moment.
But other genres can also provide support in various life situations. Here on MeinMMO, we’ve compiled an overview of such games for you:
Mental Health: These games help you when you’re not feeling well
