Bigger Than Me

Bigger Than Me is a point-and-click adventure about Max, a young man full of uncertainties with a peculiar problem: he becomes giant every time he hears the word "future". You play by moving around the world and interacting with the people and objects you find there to get Max back to the best size to progress. It's an unusual game that stands out not only for the size-shifting character but how this relates to the challenges of early adulthood.

---

Max is a twenty-something who shares his little flat with his messy friend Mica. Although he finished his degree long ago he can't find a job. As time passes the pressure to pay the rent increases. Not only that, but as his fears of the future grow, so does he.

Play involves interacting with the world to get Max to the right size and be able to progress. Turning on some music, for example, helps him worry less and get smaller. But unhappy clients at work make him worry more and get bigger. The point-and-click adventuring and emotional size-shifting is broken up with some mini-game challenges.

The result is a game about growing up and realising things aren't quite the way we expected them to be. Max changing size depending on his mood not only offers an interesting mental health metaphor but creates interwoven size-related puzzles. Like the popular children's story Flat Stanley, it tackles everyday fears graphically and with a good helping of fun and humour.

---

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Bigger Than Me 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 6 months ago.