Just absolutely delightful.

Short, simple and incredibly moving. The art is stunning, but the family's interactions are genuinely heartfelt and what I was here for the most. Made me want to go and hug my daughter.

No reason not to play this.

Venba is a touching cooking narrative game that tells the tale of an Indian family living in Canada and their experiences as immigrants. It leans heavily on its story rather than traditional gameplay. The cooking mechanics are straightforward and serve more as a way to support the narrative than as a focus. That said, the gameplay itself is pretty limited. It’s less of a game and more of an interactive story, which might not appeal to everyone. Plus, the game is also really short, taking just a couple of hours to complete.


- insight into a different culture - a wonderful way to learn about and appreciate South Indian cuisine

- includes a recipe book - lets you recreate the in-game dishes in real life, which is such a delightful bonus

- pretty music - the soundtrack complements the story beautifully, enhancing the overall experience

- unique - Venba stands out with its distinctive approach to storytelling and design

- thought-provoking - the themes of family, identity, and sacrifice leave a lasting impression


- mostly highlights unpleasant moments - there aren’t many light-hearted or happy scenes to balance the heavier themes

- some mechanics can be buggy - rotating with the mouse in cooking tasks may not work properly at times

- more like an interactive story - feels closer to a visual novel than a traditional game, which might not appeal to everyone

- lack of voice acting - the absence of dubbing feels like a missed opportunity to bring the characters to life and add depth to the immersive storytelling experience

- not very replayable - the game’s linear structure and lack of branching choices mean there’s little reason to revisit it once finished


If you’re looking for a quick, emotional experience that explores themes of family and culture, **Venba** could be a great fit. It’s perfect for those who enjoy story-driven games or visual novels and don’t mind a more limited gameplay experience. Plus, the food in the game will likely make you hungry, inspiring you to try your hand at cooking more diverse meals or head out to explore new flavors. However, if you're more into traditional, long-form gameplay or prefer games with more interactivity, Venba might not be the right choice for you.

5/10