To A T Review

The key message of To a T is that nobody is perfect and existence is special because of it. The main character, Teen, is proof of this, as they must go about their life in permanent T-pose, constantly battling against bullies and doorways and being ping-ponged between the everyday of a thirteen-year-old and a kooky unfolding mystery. Despite everything, Teen perseveres with a smile and their trusty dog helping them to brush their teeth, poop, and spend time with the colourful people and creatures of their town.

While I’m happy enough with a reminder to be myself, perfectly weird shapes and all, and to get a tune about a Giraffe who learns to cook forever stuck in my head, To a T’s desire to focus on many different things ends up washing-out the narrative, interactions, and explorations in its short 5–6-hour playtime. Whether it’s because I’m an adult playing what is (possibly) a children’s game is left to be confirmed.

Is it possible this game is a reflection on imperfection? A warning against changing yourself to fit in? Or, like mixing strawberry milk and UFO-flavoured cereal, is it simply an opportunity for novelty and stupidity?

The kids from The OC never had to deal with this

Accompanied by their dog, Teen begins the day by getting dressed, making cereal, cleaning away their eye boogers, and stopping at Giraffe’s sandwich stand before heading to school. This schedule requires some negotiation because of their shape, but Teen is clearly having a blast despite this, often laughing with their dog, their mum, and themselves. Their dread comes from the need to go to school and the bullies that await them there.

I love the everyday rhythm of a slice-of-life, but with new plot points that change the routine, there isn’t enough time to fall into this groove and get comfortable with characters and environments. Several episodes will focus on wildly different activities, including becoming friends with your bullies after you save one with a newly acquired spin-flying ability, nearly joining an animal ninja club, and the amusing plot twist which would have been more wholly welcomed if it didn’t take away from town exploration completely towards the end. There are enough mini-games in between all the chaos, but they range from eye-rolling maths equations to simple platforming races.

The subtle changes in routine I typically like to see were most pronounced through the song numbers, which bookend each episode in true children’s cartoon style, including the aforementioned My Name is Giraffe and You Are the Perfect Shape—the central anthem boasting body acceptance and individuality. Although they repeatedly play, the animations eventually change to reflect additions and twists in the story. My wish was to see more musical numbers, but amidst all the elements being covered, it may have convoluted things even more.

I at least wanted more time to explore the town. Giraffe, who is actually four different giraffes, have their own varied food-challenges across the map including giant popcorn collection and eating every giant corn kernel from a giant corn cob. Teen can buy clothing from different clothing-shaped shops and collect hairstyles from npcs for the crab hairdresser. With their spin-flying ability they can reach higher places, although it only serves to collect more money which they accumulate more than they know what to do with.

Teen’s mother is a constant delight

The opportunities to explore are not only infrequent but hindered by the super annoying shifts in camera angles. The town wanderings never came to feel natural, and I got lost so often that I was pulling up the map constantly. This may be a leap (or a spin-fly) but, thematically, something might be going on here. As Teen’s experience shows the difficulty of existing in a world not made for them, the clunkiness of this navigation somewhat cements this. Even if nice things happen like winning over the bullies, having a dog to help them, or developing a superpower from their shape, at a base level the world is still difficult and disorienting. With this in mind, is the camera work purposefully confusing? Is this imperfect game the perfect way to communicate the theme of imperfection?

Did I have fun? is probably the question to ask here. It’s definitely a charming game, but maybe not as entertaining or insightful as a game lacking in strong playful elements should be. The story and dialogue are a bit preachy and stilted, but arguably this goofiness was kind of fun to watch. Teen’s mother is the funniest character, a deceptively normal but actually insane person who doles out sound advice when necessary but also is revealed to have a rich past, obscures why Teen is T-shaped, determines Teen is old enough to decide if they should brush their teeth, and sets up their breakfast by placing squid-ink milk and a cereal box on the table. Overall, the characterisation was simple but fitting and paired with the gibberish of the voice-acting occasionally hit the funny bone perfectly.

To a T is maybe best considered in retrospect

Mostly, I fear I rely too heavily on games like this to cure my (understandably in the year 2025) adult-sized depression, but I also don’t see children being too taken by this experience. From my understanding they all just play Roblox now anyway. Most likely it is a game that parents will buy for, and play with, their unwilling children, especially if they feel nostalgic for the creator’s previous games like Katamari Damacy and want to not-so-subtly teach their kids about difference being beautiful and the harms of bullying.

Underneath these kiddo themes were moments of tenderness and intrigue I wish were explored more fully. Food seems to be a point of connection, with the fleet of giraffe cooks, the silly cereal, and Teen’s auntie owning an always-empty beachside restaurant because people must wade through sea water to get there. Even when tying up the big secret plot-twist, the sentiment that convinces [REDACTED] to [REDACTED] is a conversation about food. Popcorn is enjoyed not just for its flavour but it’s strange texture, and ice cream is fun to eat with your buddies because of its messiness. Everything, including sandwiches, is always the perfect shape.

Final Thoughts

Look, maybe I don’t know anymore! It didn’t feel like I was actively having a blast while playing To a T, but now, looking back, I do feel a warmness for it. Some kid might play it and feel less shameful about their own unique shape or way of being in the world. Or it might inspire them to attempt a feat of heroism to win over their bullies. Maybe some fully grown person will become slightly less sad whenever the dog licks their face or dresses them in school uniform. All I can say is that when Giraffe sings ♪ I wake up at 3 every morning to bake the bread for sandwiches ♫ this cute stupidity feels close to perfection.

Reviewed on Steam Deck // Review code supplied by Annapurna

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