Indie Week 18 || Mayor May Knott

I love games whose premise is to explore the area and help others. No fights, no levelling system. There isn’t a conflict to overcome, rather conflict is like on our world part of every day life and thus never fades. Conflict that creates an overarching need for community. Games like Chibi-Robo, Moon: Remix RPG Adventure and Misc A Tiny Tale.

In Mayor May Knott (by the way, the game is full of puns and I am so locked in!) you arrive in a town, get scared by a ghost and hide in a shabby house. This uninhabited house contains the license of the former mayor which now makes you the mayor! Mayor May in the ghost town. Has a cool ring to it, right?
It takes only one good look to notice how run down and lifeless everything it. Clutter and junk everywhere, buildings are in ruins, windows shattered. This town needs help, someone who can bring the much-needed change.

Thus our adventure starts. We meet Grandfather Clock, a skilled craftsman that teaches us his handwork. We fix houses, help the residents, explore the depths of the town and grow more confident with every good deed. There is a beautiful balance between gathering resources, solving quests and getting to know the people. Everything stays lively and exciting despite the occasionally creepy atmosphere because the puzzles and mini-games create a fun diversion. The more we help others the more they give back. The joy I felt once I could reduce the fishing in the sea in search for wood, thanks to the diligent Timberly who shares some of the wood he gathers.

It’s lovely to see the town evolve. Tall buildings, colourful lights, smiling faces and deepened relationships. It had a similar effect to me as Digimon World on the PS1 where you visually watch the area grow. Every now and then I would run through the town, climb up places that were locked before and take a shortcut back to my house, just to feel the change. A pretty feeling that encourages you to find the joy in helping others. Even the ghosts get to be part of the community!

It’s what I wish for humanity. To find the unique characteristics and strengths of each individual. To offer your knowledge and reach out to others. To understand that we can only reach our true potential together. That it’s our weaknesses that bind us to others and create companionship.

I can already tell, that every now and then, Mayor May Knott will pop up in my head and create a warm and fuzzy feeling. The characters feel like a found family to me and that is something truly beautiful.