The islands players can explore in this game are truly beautiful, with vibrant colors and varied wildlife that all feel like they were crafted to make New Caledonia as appealing as possible. Some fantasy and lore elements of the game quickly make it clear that this isn’t real-world New Caledonia, but that doesn’t take away from the cultural representation. If you appreciate the virtual tourism video games can provide, then you’ll love how Tchia pays tribute to the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia. It represents a fascinating country and culture that doesn’t get much attention from the wider world as well. In an era where many video game characters can feel like they have plot armor and are either edgy or overly comedic, Tchia’s straightforward but sincere narrative is refreshing. While mostly kid-friendly, Tchia isn’t afraid to occasionally have some darker moments and actions with real consequences.

You’ll love how Tchia pays tribute to the Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia. It’s a straightforward coming-of-age story, but one that’s elevated by an earnest tone and real stakes. Along the way, she grows up as she explores the world around her, meets new people, falls in love, and gains supernatural powers.

Tchia follows a young girl (the titular Tchia) as she tries to save her father from the humanoid woodworm god Meavora and his militant accomplice Pwi Dua. If you only have time to play one more open-world game before The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom comes out, make it Tchia it’s a new video gaming coming-of-age classic. Even with its under-baked animal and object possession gameplay system, it’s the best open-world game I’ve played since Sable. On top of that, it’s an open-world game that takes all the proper lessons from Breath of the Wild and isn’t afraid to let the training wheels off and let players explore. Inspired by the real world New Caledonia, Tchia is a beautiful game that allows me to explore and experience a moving coming-of-age story in an archipelago I wouldn’t have learned about otherwise.

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