The Magnificent Trufflepigs

Overall, Trufflepigs is a little too short, a little too slow, and a lot too much of the unlikeable Beth. As a proof-of-concept of what Thunkd can do, it's promising, but limited graphics, poor accessibility options (although text size is changeable), and unskippable dialogue that grinds the entire game to a halt make it hard to recommend.

The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a very condensed story, only taking about a few hours to reach the credits. Because of this, the narrative feels concise and free of filler. Despite spending such little time with them, I felt like I had a good understanding of these characters and the relationship forming between them, thanks to two exceptional voice performances. The game’s metal-detecting segments also make for some relaxing times as well. Although some design choices make certain moments more tedious than they need to be, The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a pleasant little experience.

The Magnificent Trufflepigs created a fun experience for players by putting the focus on storytelling and letting players take their time.

Despite the idea of bringing the narrative from discovered objects, The Magnificent Trufflepigs ends up placing the player much more in a spectator position than someone who has some agency in the interaction. The story is interesting and builds characters with well-elaborated personalities, but ends up being a little tiring due to the excess of details that seem to go beyond what is necessary for its development and the low fluidity of the gameplay. It's an unconventional title and may not appeal to those who expect action in their adventures, but it can be a good bet for those who are in no hurry and like to savor stories in enchanting environments.

A slow, minimal walking sim built around metal‑detecting and quiet conversations, offering little actual gameplay and a story that never becomes as engaging or mysterious as it promises. Strong voice acting can’t compensate for repetitive mechanics, weak visuals on Switch, and a two‑hour experience that feels more like a slight novella than a compelling game.

This is one of those titles that's very difficult to explain in a way that establishes a decent value proposition for purchasing it but here goes: Only lasting a couple of hours, the "action" is you methodically using a metal detector on the ground of an old farm in search of something...

The Magnificent Trufflepigs is the weird case of the walking simulator which would have been a lot more enjoyable had the developers decided to include LESS gameplay. Even if its story isn’t anything to write home about, I was way more invested in it than looking for nappy pins and bottles with the slowest metal detector in human history.

The Magnificent Trufflepigs has grown on me since I finished it. It might not be for everyone — and it might fight against itself on the way to the finish line. But if there's anything this game taught me, it's that the roughest edges can only be softened with time.

The game does have a relatively clever connection between its mechanics and themes. Digging up the farm and digging up a life feel somehow similar, especially when it comes to seeing long-buried stuff in a new light. But the gameplay is too limited to offer anything more than a way to get story bits. And the narrative starts off interesting, delivers a good second and third day, and then collapses. Avoid The Magnificent Trufflepigs and just play Firewatch or Gone Home again.

The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a kind of game as a psychotherapy session in which we, with the help of a metal detector and the characters, try to find what's wrong with us.