If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by sadness and struggled to regain your footing, you might find solace in Plodding Recovery. Created by Japanese indie developer Rinda, this game offers a thoughtful exploration of navigating life when burdened by immense stress.
Plodding Recovery centers on Koishi, a young man recovering from a significant physical and mental collapse. Over a 60-day period, players engage in routine activities such as journaling, interacting with others, watching television, and resting. Through these daily rhythms, Koishi gradually rebuilds his strength and addresses aspects of his life he had previously overlooked.
Four key parameters guide Koishi’s daily existence: Oh Well, Know Yourself, Don’t Overdo It, and Frivolous. Oh Well represents a passive acceptance of circumstances, embracing the mindset that “this is fine” even in imperfect situations. Know Yourself encourages introspection, helping Koishi understand his emotions and behaviors. Don’t Overdo It emphasizes recognizing personal limits and taking necessary breaks. Frivolous involves bending rules to meet personal needs and safeguard one’s well-being. Players influence Koishi’s outlook by selecting dialogue options and daily activities.
The game’s conversation and diary features stand out for their emphasis on reaction and self-reflection.
Interacting with others triggers a unique minigame where players advance conversations through dialogue choices. The objective is to increase the other person’s satisfaction by selecting appropriate responses, each of which consumes Heart—a resource used for daily actions.
Journaling places Koishi in a meditative state where he explores his inner thoughts and expresses his emotions. Depending on player choices, Koishi’s reflections and worldview evolve accordingly.
In addition to Heart, which enables daily actions and restricts outings when depleted, players must monitor Today’s Mood and Words Worth Keeping. Today’s Mood reflects Koishi’s daily state, influencing the Heart meter and sleep quality. Words Worth Keeping are gathered from various activities, dialogues, and reflective moments, offering material for journal entries.
While Plodding Recovery tackles sensitive themes, it avoids explicit content such as medication, self-harm, suicide, violence, or sexual themes. The developer aims to address mental health without resorting to “misery.”
Plodding Recovery is available on Windows and macOS (Steam). A 15% launch discount is active until August 26.