April in Paris

Jim Aikin is one of my favorite authors, so I was looking forward to this game. But it turned out to be a bit odd.

You play an american tourist trying to get some food at a Cafe in Paris. As you wander about the cafe, it is clear that there are some things you might try to get the waiter's attention. As you do them, the game progresses. However, the game increasingly has you do odd things that you wouldn't really think of in real life, without motivation.

The setting, a 2x3 rectangle in a cafe, is charming, with some fun NPC's (the game was nominated for an XYZZY for Best NPC's). It's really just an atmospheric game.

Recommended for fans of Paris or of restaurant games (like Gourmet or Dinner with Andre).