A Little to the Left

A Little to the Left is a cozy sorting game about finding visual patterns in everyday objects. In each elegantly illustrated level, you’re presented with a disorganized collection of common items which must be arranged according to visual logic. The game is meant to be charming and easy to pick up, favoring chill vibes over intense puzzly deduction.

The levels of A Little to the Left revolve around organizing common household objects, which range from lightbulbs to pencils to keys to jewelry. You might have to sort a set of spoons according to their size, or to make a pile of decorated bowls line up properly. The game is never explicit about the logic which should be enforced in a specific level; it’s up to you to observe the collection of objects and find a visual feature to base the ordering on. This lack of direction rarely feels frustrating, especially because the levels frequently allow for multiple arrangements.

Each level is attached to a certain amount of stars, with each star representing a distinct yet valid configuration. For instance, in a two-star level showing multiple book spines, you could earn one star for ordering the shelf based on book height, and the other star for sorting the spines in a gradient of color. Crucially, you only ever need to get one star to advance to the next level, so it’s always up to you whether you want to try finding other patterns. There’s also a hint system which you may use for uncovering parts of a solution, and a “Let It Be” option for skipping the level altogether.

Overall, A Little to the Left seeks to be a relaxing and soothing experience, the enjoyment coming not from working through a complex problem but from the satisfaction of a neatly organized space. The game’s warm aesthetic is supported by illustrations reminiscent of a hand-drawn picture book, and by a gentle and inquisitive soundtrack. The game doesn’t have much in the way of story, save for a running theme of cats messing everything up.

This description was written by Asher Stone and edited by Oriane Tury.