I got about 75% of the way through Void Stranger before I had to use a guide.

I heard of this game from Reddit and forums, one of the mind expanding experiences akin to something like Homestuck or 17776. I knew of sokoban puzzles from my time playing Nethack, but I was new to the sub-genre of black and white puzzle adventure games. I had Minit, which I enjoyed, and Master Key, which wasn’t for me.

I couldn’t believe this sokoban puzzle game could take 70 hours to fully complete. What on Earth did that mean?

Beyond the 5 or so hours it takes to finish the game normally is a nearly bottomless well of secret mechanics, rooms, and wall-breaking.

Super Eyepatch Wolf does a great job at documenting you the experience of playing the game. It spoils the joys of discovery that even I experienced, but the sokoban puzzles might drive you nuts. That’s why I can’t play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33; I’m allergic to Mario & Luigi combat.

Story and lore hound that I am, I rushed through the game and dove into the wikis and explanatory videos. I did spot the significance of the brands the first time, but didn’t do anything with them. While I’d like to say “I wish I did,” I had the same opportunity with Elden Ring and didn’t take it there either. My own time gets sucked into the void of parental responsibilities.