Is This Seat Taken? – A Game That Makes Seating Fun for the Picky

The game Is This Seat Taken? makes the process of seating picky characters fun and engaging. Creating seating arrangements can be quite stressful, as each person has their own preferences: some want to sit by the window, while others prefer to be away from unpleasant smells. I've always wanted to find the perfect spot for everyone, especially during important events. It's like putting together a complex puzzle: when everything falls into place, the feeling of satisfaction is incredible.

In this game, your goal is to seat small geometric shapes in their appropriate places, considering their needs. For example, a triangle on the bus stage wants to sit by the window and away from unpleasant odors. If you seat it by the window, it will be happy. But you can't place a square with an unpleasant smell next to it—otherwise, the triangle will get angry. So, you need to find the optimal spot for each shape, moving them as necessary.

Due to the limited number of seats and the variety of preferences, the levels become increasingly challenging. Fortunately, there is no timer in the game, and you can take your time to find the perfect arrangement. The characters, depicted as cute shapes, add a cozy feel to the game and help prevent frustration even if you don't seat them as they would like. If you can't make everyone happy, you score fewer points and don't unlock secret levels.

In addition to the puzzles, the game tells the story of Nat—the diamond who dreams of becoming an actress. This light and unobtrusive storyline motivates you to explore different cities and locations. I was more fascinated by coming up with stories for other characters—why does the father and child watch a movie in the theater? Why did the square in line at the airport forget to wash up? Why is one character in love with another? This added even more excitement to the game, especially during challenging levels.

Completing the main levels took about six hours. Some locations were repeated, and over time the game became less novel. Sometimes I just wanted to let the characters accept that someone with music was sitting next to them or simply give them a break. Now that the game is finished, I feel a slight nostalgia for my cute shapes. After all, we all need a place to sit sometimes. And I'm glad I could help them.

Is This Seat Taken? is now available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.