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Life Tastes Like Cardboard

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2019

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Quick resume

A game about boredom and self-pity. It's about myself mostly. You walk around and press the 'interact' button. Sorry for making this.

Global score

95/100

Genres

Indie, Role-playing (RPG)

Pros

  • Deeply personal and emotional storytelling
  • Unique and creative art and sound design
  • Free to play
  • Relatable depiction of mental health struggles
  • Immersive and introspective experience

Cons

  • Slow walking pace and some tedious navigation
  • Minimal gameplay challenge
  • Some confusing puzzles
  • Not suitable for players sensitive to heavy themes
  • Lack of replay incentives beyond exploration

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    3

    "Players explore the world at their own pace, choosing where to go and what to interact with, though gameplay is simple and walking-focused."

  • Competence
    -2

    "Gameplay involves walking and exploration with some puzzles, but overall low technical challenge and some players found puzzles confusing or tedious."

  • Competition
    -5

    "No evidence of competitive elements; focus is on personal experience and introspection."

  • Continuation
    2

    "Some players spent multiple hours and returned to find secrets, indicating moderate attachment and desire to continue playing."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Single-player experience with no multiplayer or cooperative features."

  • Creativity
    4

    "Highly creative presentation with unique art styles, surreal imagery, and experimental sound design."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; experience is personal and empathetic."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Strongly focused on emotional immersion and escaping into a surreal, introspective world to explore mental health themes."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and emotional connection, not obligation."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Players explore different areas, uncover secrets, and experience varied art and sound styles, encouraging experimentation."

  • Exploration
    4

    "Exploration of new, surreal environments and discovery of hidden content is a core part of the experience."

  • Expression
    -3

    "No character customization or player-driven visual expression; presentation is fixed by the developer's artistic vision."

  • Fantasy
    3

    "Surreal and dreamlike imagery combined with real-life mental health themes creates a blend of imaginative fiction and reality."

  • Fellowship
    -4

    "Experience is solitary and introspective with minimal social interaction."

  • Growth
    2

    "Players gain insight into mental health and emotional states, though gameplay skill growth is minimal."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity elements."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention to explore and engage with narrative; not designed for background play."

  • Intimacy
    3

    "Emotional intimacy through personal and vulnerable storytelling, though no social relationship building."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements; purely single-player narrative."

  • Progression
    1

    "Some collection of mementos and story progression, but no power accumulation or upgrades."

  • Relaxation
    0

    "Mixed emotional tone with moments of calm and moments of tension; neither strongly relaxing nor stressful overall."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Unique and varied audio-visual presentation provides strong sensory stimulation and emotional impact."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social status or recognition mechanics; experience is private and personal."

  • Story
    5

    "Narrative immersion and emotional storytelling are central to the game experience."

  • Strategy
    -3

    "Minimal strategic or problem-solving demands; some puzzle elements but mostly straightforward exploration."

  • Thrill
    1

    "Some suspenseful and unsettling moments, but overall emotional tone is contemplative rather than thrilling."

  • Value
    5

    "Highly praised for emotional and artistic value, especially given that it is free to play."

  • Violence
    -3

    "No combat; some disturbing imagery but no enjoyment of violence or destruction."

  • Survival
    -5

    "No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable, low-risk environment."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026