IIf you accept the notion that the Game Awards serve as an interactive industry Oscar, then it’s reasonable to liken the Independent Game Festival to Cannes, with the Sumas MacNary Grand Prize being the equivalent of Parmedollar. Hence, one might expect that this year’s winner would receive significant attention upon release. Surprisingly, that’s not the case. Apparently, it’s an overwhelmingly early sale and I’m astonished by the absence of reviews. This highlights ongoing challenges regarding discoverability and the issues faced by critics during the busy fall season, rather than focusing on the game itself. Truly, it’s an absolute delight.

It’s certainly easy to sound like you should play this game rather than expressing a desire to want to play it. Crafted over a decade by Jenny Ziao Fusia in collaboration with Ap Thomson, Jie en Lee, Violet WP, and Ken Snyder, this semi-autobiographical narrative follows an Asian American high school student navigating weight loss amid the challenges of adolescence. It’s infused with effective energy and time management mechanics. Content notifications inform players of themes such as bullying, fat phobia, and dietary restrictions. Notably, it’s also one of the most humorous games of 2025.

Consumes adeptly navigates a complex emotional landscape. The main character, Jenny, experiences meal times interpreted as puzzles. Reminiscent of Leon’s attachment case in Resident Evil 4, groceries shaped like Tetris blocks must fit into a grid symbolizing Jenny’s stomach. L-shaped kale and S-shaped tomatoes help her stay within her daily targets (notably, she focuses on “bites” instead of calories). Junk food, with its appealing form, can lead to regret as filling it results in precious time being consumed and potentially using up one of her limited cheat days. Any gaps in her stomach notification mean she might need a snack later.

Beyond merely managing her hunger, Jenny must also oversee her energy and mood levels, which is initially simple. Participating in chores, studying, and applying makeup turns into an enjoyable mini-game akin to Nintendo’s Warioware series, though it rarely presents a challenge. Items created or purchased with in-game currency help maintain Jenny’s happiness and health. However, time is relentless, making it increasingly tough to balance needs against wants. For example, reliance on energy drinks often leads to caffeine headaches. This creates unhappiness during activities other than resting.

Regardless of whether things are going smoothly or not, the observations are artfully portrayed. The foreboding music accompanies weekly weigh-ins, physically pulling Jenny towards the scale. After cleaning the bathroom, her critically evaluating mother is there to inspect her work, even pressing a finger on the sink to confirm cleanliness. When Jenny first meets Oliver’s affluent parents, even the simple introduction of anxiety meters raises the heart rate, especially as she imagines her own mother as a detective in a trench coat. During their first outing, their awkwardness on-screen guides players toward a sweet kiss.

Love quickly transforms into another responsibility, creating tension that evolves in each chapter. Jenny must prioritize potential dates in her calendar, yet a visit to a pizzeria forces her to strictly monitor her meals for the week ahead. As Oliver heads off to college, their long-distance relationship means that every night brings the potential for “poison damage” as she struggles to prioritize valuable text messages or video calls. (By night, she presses her face against the glass, tearfully observing the rose petals falling from inside, brilliantly encapsulating the path of all adolescents during such times.)

Although it’s a game centered on routines, the continual repetition never makes me feel fully settled. It continually finds creative ways to utilize the system to convey themes without sacrificing humor. If you grapple with food-related issues or fitness, there are moments that resonate deeply. It’s about more than just what you consume or how much you exercise; life’s essentials often take precedence over personal desires.

Again, I’m cautious about framing this as a mere obligation to consume. This thought-provoking, engaging, and boldly original game provided an evening filled with laughter and tears, leaving me with lasting memories.