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Two Playdate games about cheese, spooky campfire stories with a twist
After a brief hiatus from my Playdate following the wonderfully weird Season Two and the chaotic joy of Blippo+, I finally dusted off that little yellow console this week, crank in hand, ready for some fresh vibes. And what better way to dive back in than with a double feature of cheese-themed games? It’s a niche, I know, but on the Playdate, niche is the name of the game.First up, Cheese 'n Crackers from Scenic Route Software is basically your ultimate, infinite charcuterie board sim. You’re presented with a sprawling selection of meats, cheeses, spreads, and crackers, and your job is to craft the perfect snack for a rotating cast of customers, from the Speed Daters to Grandma’s Bridge Club.Each group comes with its own set of likes, dietary restrictions, and aversions, making it a delightful puzzle of flavor pairing. The real meta-game, though, is the community-driven Cheese 'n Crackers Compatibility Spreadsheet—a legit, intimidating document that details every optimal food combo for max points.It’s the kind of deep-dive, community-sourced intel that makes you feel like you’re part of a secret culinary guild, though you can’t linger too long because your toppings will spoil. It’s a chill, low-pressure experience with a surprisingly competitive edge thanks to its online leaderboards, perfect for when you want to unwind without the typical game-induced adrenaline spike.Then there’s Say When! from Smashtoad Studios, which is the complete opposite—a high-octane, Root Bear-like frenzy that had me cranking the Playdate’s handle like my virtual job depended on it. In this one, you’re a cheese grater in a bustling restaurant, tasked with serving the perfect amount of grated cheese to a parade of patrons.The twist? They won’t actually say 'when. ' You have to read their subtle tells—a twitching mustache, a slight change in expression—to know when to stop.Get it wrong, and the customer satisfaction meter plummets; let it hit zero, and you’re fired. It’s fast, it’s silly, and it’s ridiculously addictive, especially with the mini-games that randomly interrupt your shift, like saving a choking customer mid-grate.The post-shift modifiers add a nice layer of strategy, letting you tweak the difficulty to survive another round. It’s the kind of game that perfectly leverages the Playdate’s unique hardware, turning a simple crank into a source of genuine tension and fun.As a bonus, I also snagged Ware-wolf Campfire Stories, a free gem on itch. io that’s essentially a curated bundle of 14 bite-sized spooky games from 15 different dev teams, including folks behind hits like Off-Planet Dreams and Voidblazers.The setup is genius: five kids and their counselor telling spooky stories around a campfire, with each tale launching a separate, short game. The consequences of winning or losing carry through the narrative, creating a cohesive, anthology-like experience.From ghost-filled adventures to skeleton skirmishes, it’s a fantastic sampler platter of the Playdate’s indie spirit, showcasing the console’s versatility and the creativity of its community. It’s like a digital game jam delivered straight to your pocket, and it’s a must-try for anyone looking to explore beyond the official Catalog.For a platform that thrives on quirky, experimental titles, this week’s haul—from meticulous snack-building to frantic cheese-grating and collaborative horror tales—proves the Playdate is still one of the most unique and endearing corners of the gaming world. It’s not about hyper-realistic graphics or blockbuster budgets; it’s about pure, unadulterated fun, and these games deliver that in spades.
#Playdate
#gaming
#indie games
#cheese
#campfire stories
#featured
