KIDS is an interactive animation that certainly won’t be for everyone, but is still a unique experience worth checking out if the concept intrigues you.
Gameplay is sparse, consisting of using your mouse to manipulate objects in the game. It might mean pulling someone out of a hole, making someone clap their hands, etc. There is no real challenge or difficulty, it is closer to a short film that you nudge forward with your interactions.
The presentation of KIDS is its strongest asset. Visually, it looks great. It has a well-executed art style that is beautifully animated. Many of the set pieces are minimal, but the detailed animations make them feel lively. The sound design is just as good, with some truly fantastic sound effects. Every sound fits the game perfectly. When combined with the superb animation work, it makes it feel more like a short film than a real game.
The game’s story is loosely defined and undeveloped. You get small pieces of narrative, but it’s delivered in small vignettes rather than an overarching storyline. I didn’t find it particularly engaging, but it was interesting enough to hold my attention.
KIDS is a niche game that has narrow appeal, but does a great job considering what the developer was going for. Only buy if you’re aware that you are essentially buying a 20 minute short film that you can lightly interact with.
