The game leans deep into the Finnish stereotypes I know from Kaurismäki and other Finnish movie makers. There's a black humour here that I like very much, even in a game that deals with simply getting rid of your hangover. Great characters and humour, lots of puzzles - unfortunately a maze, too, but I guess I cannot have it all.

A fantastic MAGS entry that I wish was a full length game! The world and all its characters were wonderfully written, and the puzzles were very well designed.

WHAM's "Tuulipuku-Tauno Darrassa," an entry in the June 2025 MAGS competition centered on the "Home Country" theme, offers a uniquely Finnish point-and-click adventure. Developed by a single person within a month, its medium game length is a remarkable achievement.

You step into the shoes of Tauno, an unforgettable anti-hero. He's an unemployed, working-class Finn, broke, coffee-deprived, and battling a drinking problem. The game brilliantly portrays his struggles, making even the simplest tasks, like opening a door, feel like monumental challenges — a detail that effectively contributes to the game's pervasive hangover vibe.

The beginning of the game shines with its clever tutorial system, which quickly gets players acquainted with the controls. The simultaneous English and Finnish dialogue adds a unique layer of entertainment; even without knowing much Finnish, seeing the translations side-by-side is a fun touch that immerses you further into the setting.

The game's sound design is mostly excellent, though some effects, particularly those in the bathroom, might make you wish you hadn't heard them — at least Tauno can be persuaded to wash his hands! As someone from a neighboring country, I found Tauno to be a hilarious embodiment of certain preconceptions, and his tracksuit jacket celebrating Finland's 1995 hockey World Cup win against Sweden is a fantastic detail. My only minor quibble is the absence of knives, but perhaps that's something for a potential sequel!

The game is rich with references to Finnish culture, from sports and literature to music, creating a vibrant and authentic atmosphere. While the game largely succeeds, some puzzles can be a bit tedious, notably the maze. Similarly, the varying behaviors of door handles, while contributing to the "struggling with simple tasks" theme, occasionally bordered on annoying.

Despite these minor gripes, "Tuulipuku-Tauno Darrassa" is an impressive game for a MAGS contribution. It's an entertaining and authentic slice of Finnish life, even if that life involves a severe coffee craving and a persistent hangover.

For those curious to see Tauno's struggles (and triumphs!) firsthand, I've created a full playthrough of "Tuulipuku-Tauno Darrassa" on my YouTube channel. You can watch it here.