Meal Planning
Plating and presentation is a huge part of preparing food. From the celebrity Chef, to the lunches your parents made you for school, seeing a nicely-arranged spread of food will always make your mouth water while a smile creeps across your face. This is a feeling that Inbento by developer Afterburn has nailed in this title on the Switch. Your goal is to create a picture-perfect bento box, a traditional Eastern Asian take-out style lunch, with different ingredients and limited moves. A simple concept proves to evolve and change over the course of play, all while offering a charm that anyone can enjoy.
Made With Love
In inbento, you take the role of a mother cat making bento boxes for her kittens. To do this you will be given a small number of ingredients and/or moves to match the picture in the top-right corner. While it ultimately takes a back seat, the charm is undeniable and the still images offered as a reward for completing a set of levels are full of heart. The game also makes full use of the smaller functions of the Switch, such as the touch screen and gyroscopic controls in subtle and unique ways. The touch screen itself can be used to play the game while the reward screens make use of the gyroscope by allowing you to move the angle of the pictures. While these may not add to gameplay in a profound way, they are fun additions to a solid puzzle game that gives it a fun personality all its own using the Switch. You will find yourself tilting your console to see how the pictures move to revel in your success, if only for a moment. The gameplay is also a well-crafted experience, unfolding with you as you progress.
Culinary Complexity
The basic concept of inbento evolves rapidly over the course of play, which eases you into the game at the beginning then adds different dynamics during later levels. From making bentos from scratch, to re-arranging premade boxes to fit the picture, the complexity only ramps up as you advance. This complexity comes in the forms of the moves you are given, taking inspiration from mobile titles such as Candy Crush Saga but without restricting play when your moves are depleted. With very accessible controls in touch-screen and traditional controller capabilities it is incredibly easy to get into and find yourself in a zen-like focus, making bentos for hours as the only signs of progression are the fun illustrations you are shown to break up the levels. You may not realize the time you have spent lovingly crafting meals for your kittens until you hit a brain-twisting wall. This focus is facilitated by the mellow and minimalist soundtrack, with a soothing piano and bouncy marimba that entice a contemplative atmosphere. This makes the overall experience that inbento offers a memorable one that leaves a smile on your face.
Soothing as a Sunset
Inbento is a title that finds a fantastic home in the Switch. With a variable amount of accessible controls, basic yet engaging gameplay and a charm that anyone can enjoy, inbento is a perfect game to sit back and relax to. It also proves to be a fantastic portable title as well, further utilizing the capabilities of the Switch. The fair skill curve also instills confidence in the player, making you want to persevere rather than abandon your attempt. These elements combine to make inbento a memorable experience that you can enjoy nearly anywhere, making this a game worth your time. When you get the chance, pick it up for a title anyone can always enjoy no matter where you are.
