Following a pause after Season Two and the eccentric Blippo+ experience, a recent return to the compact yellow Playdate device highlighted two new cheese-themed entries in the catalog. Cheese 'n Crackers and Say When! arrived shortly before, sharing a dairy motif but diverging sharply in gameplay. Complementing these, Ware-wolf Campfire Stories emerged as a no-cost itch.io offering, bundling more than a dozen concise experiences into a single package.
Snack preferences vary widely, from those seeking bold savory flavors to fans of sugary indulgences, or individuals who enjoy alternating between the two. Cheese 'n Crackers centers on crafting ideal bites to match such tastes.
Players manage an expansive virtual charcuterie spread stocked with meats, cheeses, condiments, seasonings, produce, fruits, and an assortment of crackers and loaves for customization. The objective involves assembling combinations suited to diverse groups, such as hurried daters or a senior card group, each with distinct likes, health needs, or flavor dislikes.
Ingredient matching feels straightforward, yet optimal pairings yield higher scores, requiring close review of item descriptions. A dedicated Cheese 'n Crackers Compatibility Spreadsheet compiles this data comprehensively, though its depth can overwhelm. Perishables degrade over time, urging prompt decisions without heavy reliance on the reference, resulting in a relaxed pace overall. Competitive players can engage via global leaderboards to surpass high marks.
Say When! delivers heightened tension in a setup reminiscent of Root Beer Tapper, where staff handle a steady stream of diners while precisely portioning grated cheese via the device's crank mechanism. Patrons offer no verbal cues to halt; instead, subtle signals—like a whisker quiver or expression shift—indicate contentment.
A visible satisfaction gauge depletes from errors in cheese quantity, delays in service, or sluggish performance, leading to dismissal upon emptying. Post-shift options allow selecting enhancements to bolster aspects like patron approval or managerial leniency. Interruptions via brief diversions, such as aiding a diner in distress from overeating, add unpredictability midway through sessions.
The title's brisk rhythm, humorous elements, and engaging loop make it difficult to pause.
Beyond the Playdate Catalog's strong lineup, independent releases hold notable appeal. Ware-wolf Campfire Stories exemplifies this with its 14 miniature titles, available gratis on itch.io, crafted jointly by 15 studios behind hits like Off-Planet Dreams, the Life's Too Short collection, Voidblazers, and similar acclaimed works.
The setup features five children gathered with their guide around a blaze, sharing chilling narratives. Every tale triggers an independent challenge with potential outcomes affecting the overarching narrative.
This structure provides engaging diversity across mostly brief sessions, steeped in supernatural motifs including flying mammals, apparitions, and bony figures. It serves as an effective sampler of Playdate's varied mechanics while introducing creators for further exploration.