All Game, No Filter

Image Credit: Steam Store Page

Playtime: ~6–7 hours
Completion: Story Finished
Platform: PC
Played / Reviewed: 2025
Genre: Puzzle / Cozy Logic / Narrative
Final Score: ★★★★☆ (8/10)

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🧠 First Impressions

Sometimes you just want a game that doesn’t stress you out with timers, health bars, or grind. Is This Seat Taken? is exactly that. It’s a cozy puzzle game that asks you to do one simple thing: make sure people sit in the right spot. And somehow, that simple premise evolves into one of the most satisfying, surprisingly heartfelt experiences I’ve had this year.

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⚙️ Gameplay & Progression

Each level introduces a new setting—a bus ride, a cinema, a wedding reception, even a cramped taxi cab—and each comes with quirky characters who all have specific preferences. Someone doesn’t like cologne. Someone else needs quiet to nap. Another insists on a window seat.

Image Credit: In-game

Your job? Match them up and keep the peace. There’s no rush, no penalties, no leaderboard—just the pleasure of figuring out the logic puzzle.

Progression is steady: as you move from city to city, the puzzles grow in complexity while introducing more characters and conditions. By the end, you’re juggling a lot of personalities at once, but it never feels unfair.

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🎨 Art, Style, and Atmosphere

Visually, the game looks like an illustrated instruction manual—clean, simple, and charmingly minimal. It’s easy to read, which makes the logic side of things flow smoothly. The presentation is “super cute,” and it complements the relaxing vibe perfectly.

The controls are intuitive and straightforward, letting you focus on the fun of solving puzzles rather than wrestling with the interface.

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✍️ Story & Dialogue

What I didn’t expect was the heartfelt story about Nat, a rhombus who discovers someone like them on the big screen. This sparks a journey of identity and belonging, as Nat travels city to city meeting new characters and trying to figure out their place in the world. It’s a surprisingly personal, emotional thread woven through what could have just been a set of logic puzzles.

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📝 Category Breakdown

• Gameplay: 8/10 – Relaxing, well-paced puzzles with lots of personality.
• Story: 7/10 – A sweet and heartfelt surprise that adds emotional weight.
• Visuals: 9/10 – Clean, minimal, and perfectly suited to the concept.
• Replayability: 6/10 – Once finished, it’s mostly a one-time experience (but I’d love weekly or seasonal puzzle updates).
• Overall: 8/10 – Cozy, clever, and meaningful.

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✅ Final Verdict

Is This Seat Taken? is a game that sneaks up on you. What looks like a simple seating-arrangement puzzler reveals itself to be a touching, funny, and relaxing little adventure. It’s the perfect “one hour a day for a week” kind of game, best enjoyed slowly and thoughtfully.

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🔥 Clay’s Take

This game is as wholesome as it is clever. I loved the mix of quirky puzzles and Nat’s heartfelt story. My only real complaint? I just want more of it. If the devs ever add seasonal or weekly puzzle packs, I’d be back in a heartbeat.

Final Score: ★★★★☆ (8/10)
Recommendation: Perfect for fans of cozy puzzles like A Little to the Left or anyone looking for a stress-free but meaningful game.

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