The rise of "millennial cringe" games is an intriguing phenomenon, where developers are embracing the awkwardness and nostalgia of the 2000s. These games, often set in college or university environments, tap into the experiences of millennials who grew up without the internet but came of age online.
A prime example is Perfect Tides: Station to Station, a point-and-click adventure game that follows the story of Mara, a student and young writer working in her college library. The game's earnestness and attention to detail recreate the college experience, with characters quoting pretentious texts, awkward interactions, and stilted phone calls.
This genre is part of a long tradition of coming-of-age stories that emerge from every generation. "Emerging adulthood" – a concept coined by psychologist Jeffrey Arnett in 2000 – refers to the extended period of identity formation between 18 and 29 years old. Games like Perfect Tides are reimagining this stage of life, offering a nostalgic look at what it meant to be young and figuring out one's place in the world.
What sets these games apart is their specificity. The year, setting, and protagonist's experiences all combine to create an immersive experience that feels deeply human and personal. While younger generations may find millennial cringe embarrassing now, these games aim to recapture a bygone era without judgment, instead embracing its awkwardness as an essential part of the human experience.
For those interested in exploring more games like Perfect Tides, there's Am I the Baddie?, a Wii Sports-style party game, and Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator, a satirical strategy game that pokes fun at capitalist excess.
A prime example is Perfect Tides: Station to Station, a point-and-click adventure game that follows the story of Mara, a student and young writer working in her college library. The game's earnestness and attention to detail recreate the college experience, with characters quoting pretentious texts, awkward interactions, and stilted phone calls.
This genre is part of a long tradition of coming-of-age stories that emerge from every generation. "Emerging adulthood" – a concept coined by psychologist Jeffrey Arnett in 2000 – refers to the extended period of identity formation between 18 and 29 years old. Games like Perfect Tides are reimagining this stage of life, offering a nostalgic look at what it meant to be young and figuring out one's place in the world.
What sets these games apart is their specificity. The year, setting, and protagonist's experiences all combine to create an immersive experience that feels deeply human and personal. While younger generations may find millennial cringe embarrassing now, these games aim to recapture a bygone era without judgment, instead embracing its awkwardness as an essential part of the human experience.
For those interested in exploring more games like Perfect Tides, there's Am I the Baddie?, a Wii Sports-style party game, and Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator, a satirical strategy game that pokes fun at capitalist excess.
. I mean, are we really going back to the days of awkward phone calls and pretentious texts? Can't we just move on from those cringeworthy moments already? 
But at the same time, I guess it's interesting to see how these games capture the nostalgia of growing up in a different time.
. And hey, who knows, maybe these games will become classics in their own right 
. Just don't expect me to be playing Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator anytime soon 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to play as a college student trying to figure out their life and quoting pretentious texts with friends? 
It's like they're saying "we were awkward too" (kinda relatable). The attention to detail is impressive - like the phone calls in Perfect Tides are super stilted, I can imagine having that kind of conversation myself. Anyway, if you're looking for more games like this, Space Warlord Baby seems kinda funny 
the devs are genius for creating a game that feels like it was plucked straight from my own college days 
. These games are like a warm hug from your past self - they're awkward, but in a good way 
. I love how these games are part of the "emerging adulthood" tradition, capturing that super confusing and formative stage of life 
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these "millennial cringe" games are SO relatable! I mean, who hasn't had those awkward uni days or struggled to find their place in the world? 
and can we talk about how specific they get? Like, quoting pretentious texts is literally my jam 
. It's actually pretty cool to see devs embracing the awkwardness of our childhoods & reimagining them as games. I mean, who hasn't had an awkward phone call or two (or three...)? Perfect Tides feels like a love letter to those formative years, you know? The way they've captured the stilted interactions and pretentious texts is just spot on 
), but I can see why these stories would resonate with people. Do you think this genre will stick around or just be a fleeting trend?
. And I love how these games aren't judging us for being young and figuring things out - they're just embracing our quirks and making them a part of something special 
. If you haven't checked out Perfect Tides yet, def give it a try! 
it's so relatable! and can we talk about how cute Mara is as a protagonist? 
the thing that really drew me to this genre tho is how specific the games are to their time period, like they're not trying to be all generic or whatever. it's like they're speaking directly to millennials who grew up without the internet but came of age online. and omg have you played am i the baddie?