Review: Is This Seat Taken? (Nintendo Switch)
Is This Seat Taken? is an indie title for the Nintendo Switch. It features logic-based puzzles set in a super-cute, top-down world. The goal? Place people with specific demands into the right spot within various environments. The result? A brain teasingly good time.
You might have caught a glimpse of Is This Seat Taken? during the August Nintendo Direct. If not, this little title was released simultaneously across smart devices and the Nintendo Switch. Why is that important? Because this isn’t just another port of a successful mobile game. It’s a brand-new title that works with the Switch instead of just because of the Switch.
A simple story unfolds involving characters traveling to and fro in search of a movie star. While the narrative isn’t necessary in a puzzle game, it’s a sweet tale that keeps you smiling as it helps drive the game forward. You move through various real-life cities, from Barcelona to London. You, as the voyeur of this little adventure, are in charge of putting everyone in their right spot as they interact with each other. This is where the fun begins.
There’s a wide variety of settings to work through, including cinemas, restaurants, and several types of vehicles. A queue of people standing outside the locations each have simple requests as to their preferred position within these scenes. One person might prefer the window seat of a bus. Another might not like loud talking in a cinema (does anyone like that?). In a restaurant, there are people who want coffee, those who prefer fries, and those who just want to sit alone and read. This diversity of people and locales keeps things interesting as you progress.
Is This Seat Taken? features five cities to explore, each comprising five or six standard levels and one bonus level. The bonus level is unlocked by completing every other level within that city with 100% accuracy. There are no time limits or penalties, branding this a cozy adventure. The idea is to take your time, enjoy the puzzles, and come back to them if you make a mistake.
The aesthetics fit this chilled vibe. The game sports a soft, pastel color palette that’s easy on the eye. The music is equally pleasant, with a relaxing soundtrack using an acoustic guitar. It all fits together to create an environment that’s welcoming and soothing, while also being challenging.
Yes, the puzzles can be tricky. Is This Seat Taken? eases you in with simpler cases early on, but rest assured, your brain will become sufficiently tickled further down the track. Thankfully, each character is depicted as being happy or sad depending on whether their conditions have been met. This indicates how well you’ll perform on a level before clicking the all-important “complete” button, taking the guesswork out of the equation and allowing you to tinker with your group before you submit. The balance between cozy and tricky is perfect.
The Switch version of this game uses touch controls in handheld, and rightly so. This is a game begging for the ability to point and drag with your finger. It works really well, providing the perfect environment for playing on the go or just cozily on your couch while ignoring whatever’s on TV in the background. You can also play in docked mode of course, using a control stick to move things around. It works just fine, but the touchscreen is my preferred way to play.
Overall, Is This Seat Taken? is a terrific little title that will make you smile. The logic-based puzzles feature groups of fussy people who really know what they want. It’s satisfying to help them find their place. Along the way is a sweet story about meeting your hero and fitting in. Well done to the developers!
