My Criterion Closet...Of Games!
Games that have left a large mark on me, whether it's a story I can't stop thinking about, a style I love, or a development team that's inspired me.
Venba
Venba is a short narrative cooking game, where you play as an Indian mom who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s. Cook various dishes and restore lost recipes, hold branching conversations, and explore South Indian food in this story about family, love, and loss.
About This Game
Venba is a narrative cooking game about family, love, and loss. Play as Venba, a South Indian immigrant mother connecting with her son through the language of food. It is a short and sweet cinematic experience that you can enjoy in a 1 to 2-hour sitting.
Cook (and learn!) authentic dishes from regional South Indian cuisine
Idlis, dosas, and biriyani! Whether you’re a new or regular enjoyer of South Indian cuisine, there’s something delectable to discover Venba's cooking puzzles. As you piece together a tattered recipe book, cook authentic dishes inspired by real-life cuisines. Once you've cooked them in-game, try cooking them in real life with the brand-new in-game Cookbook!
Discover a heartfelt story of family, love, and loss
As you restore lost recipes, discover the story of a family over the years as they grow and change through a journey of love and loss. Join a mother, father, and their son as they reckon with culture, self-discovery, and acceptance.
Jam to catchy tunes inspired by Tamil music
Move over lo-fi beats! Cook along to Venba's unique original soundtrack, inspired by Tamil music throughout the ages. And when you can't get enough, return to the newly-added in-game radio to listen to the OST on-demand!
Feast your eyes on delicious visuals
Venba's warm, stylized art brings the game's food and story to life! So good you can almost taste it.
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