Item: We'll always have Paris
Rating: 95
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

95/100

We'll Always Have Paris is a profoundly moving experience that demonstrates the power of mobile gaming as a medium for storytelling. This is a short, narrative-driven adventure about Simon, a retired chef, and his wife Claire, who is living with dementia. The gameplay is intentionally simple and pressure-free, allowing the emotional weight of the narrative to take center stage. You participate in the mundane tasks of their daily life, which become increasingly poignant as Claire's memory fades.

The art style is soft and inviting, perfectly complementing the 'wholesome' but heartbreaking nature of the story. It’s a compact experience designed to be played in one sitting, and it doesn't overstay its welcome. Instead of high scores or leaderboards, the reward is a deeper understanding of love, loss, and the resilience of a 50-year marriage. For anyone who has experienced memory loss in their family, this game is both a comfort and a beautiful tribute. It’s an essential play for fans of narrative indie games.

Reviewed on: Mon Jul 29 2024

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. I’m usually the first to complain when a 'game' has no mechanics, but We'll Always Have Paris isn't trying to be a challenge; it's trying to be a perspective. As a man in his 40s, the themes of aging and loss hit much harder than some mindless brawler. The art is beautiful—distinctive and emotive—and the simplicity of the interactions actually serves to emphasize the mundanity and tragedy of the situation.

It's very short—you’ll finish it in under an hour—which makes the price point a bit of a question for some. However, the emotional resonance is something I haven't found in a 60-hour RPG recently. It's a mature piece of work. It’s not 'fun' in the traditional sense, and the puzzles are trivial, but it left an impression on me. In a sea of gacha garbage, this is actually something worth experiencing.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Mature and poignant storytelling
Beautiful, unique art style
Respectful treatment of its subject matter

Extremely short duration
Minimal 'gameplay' challenge
Zero replay value

Technical Report

Performance: Flawless performance; the art style is well-optimized for all screens.

Accessibility:

Simple tap interactions

Audience Fit

Buy if: You value narrative and emotional depth over traditional gameplay.

Skip if: You want action, puzzles, or high replayability.

Similar Games:

Florence
Old Man's Journey
Before Your Eyes

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old male gamer, appreciates mature themes
Hardware: iPad Pro (M2)
Playtime: 1 hours
Status: Finished Story

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1578889746

$2.99 13+★4.1 37 reviews

Author : Cowleyfornia Studios

Pubish Date : Mon Apr 04 2022

Last Update Date : Thu Jan 19 2023

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 1.0.5Thu Jan 19 2023

1.0.5 is a small maintenance update that fixes a small typo.
We'll always have Paris is a short narrative experience about loving someone with dementia.
This is the story of Simon Smith, a retired chef who lives with Claire, his wife of fifty years. Claire is slowly losing her memory, and Simon must balance his love for her with his desire to maintain normality and autonomy over the confusion that is infiltrating both their lives.
We'll always have Paris is a wholesome adventure that explores the lived experience of memory loss, and the beauty of a love that lasts two lifetimes.
– A powerful and emotional narrative
– Pressure-free interactions and mechanics
– A compact experience perfect for playing through in one sitting
- No in-app purchases
Requires iOS 14.5 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
We'll always have Paris is a short narrative experience about loving someone with dementia.
This is the story of Simon Smith, a retired chef who lives with Claire, his wife of fifty years. Claire is slowly losing her memory, and Simon must balance his love for her with his desire to maintain normality and autonomy over the confusion that is infiltrating both their lives.
We'll always have Paris is a wholesome adventure that explores the lived experience of memory loss, and the beauty of a love that lasts two lifetimes.
– A powerful and emotional narrative
– Pressure-free interactions and mechanics
– A compact experience perfect for playing through in one sitting
- No in-app purchases

Ratings & Reviews

4.1 out of 5 with 37 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 13+

We’ll Always Have Paris is a short narrative experience from Cowleyfornia Studios. It follows Simon Smith, a retired chef caring for his wife Claire as she faces the onset of dementia. Through simple, pressure-free interactions and mini-games, players explore their daily lives and the enduring beauty of their relationship. This wholesome adventure is designed to be played in a single sitting and contains no in-app purchases.