A Little to the Left
A puzzle game about tidying up cluttered spaces.
A Little to the Left is a puzzle video game released in 2022, created by the Canadian independent studio Max Inferno and published by Secret Mode. It began as a project for the GMTK Game Jam before being developed into a full title. The game earned positive reviews from critics.
In each level, players tidy up a messy space by dragging and dropping objects. Some puzzles have multiple correct solutions. Completed puzzles are marked with stars, and those with more than one answer show partially filled stars.
The game originated from the GMTK Game Jam 2020, where participants had 48 hours to create a game based on the theme "Out of Control." After the jam, developers Annie Macmillan and Lukas Steinman founded Max Inferno in 2021, initially planning an October 2021 release. Macmillan described the game as a side project, and they were later approached by publisher Secret Mode, who helped expand the prototype.
A Little to the Left launched for Windows and macOS on November 8, 2022, and for Nintendo Switch the following day. The studio had planned a December release but finished early, allowing it to ship alongside both ports. Within a year, the game sold one million copies. After critic Alice O'Connor of Rock Paper Shotgun noted an unclear puzzle solution, Max Inferno added the "Let it Be" feature, letting players skip levels. An expansion pack, "Cupboards and Drawers," focused on home organization and was released on June 27, 2023.
On Metacritic, the PC, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X versions received "generally favorable" ratings. On OpenCritic, the game holds a 69% approval rating.
- developer
- Max Inferno
- publisher
- Secret Mode
- initial release date
- November 8, 2022
- platforms
- Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Android
- genre
- Puzzle video game
- notable feature
- Let it Be skip-level feature added after player feedback
Lore & Background
A Little to the Left was initially created for the GMTK Game Jam 2020, where contestants had 48 hours to produce a game following the theme Out of Control. After the event, developers Annie Macmillan and Lukas Steinman established Max Inferno in 2021. The game was planned to release by October 2021 but was later released on November 8, 2022, for Windows and macOS, and on November 9 for Nintendo Switch. Max Inferno had planned to release the game in December, but due to it being developed ahead of time, it was released alongside both ports.
In each level, the player must drag and drop objects to clean up an unorganized space. Some puzzles have more than one answer. Completed puzzles are represented with stars, and for puzzles with more than one answer, the stars appear partially filled. After Alice O'Connor of Rock Paper Shotgun described that one of the puzzles had an unclear solution, Max Inferno added the Let it Be feature to allow players to skip levels.
An expansion pack titled 'Cupboards and Drawers' was released on June 27, 2023, focusing on home organization. Within a year of release, the game had received a million sales.
Reader's Guide
A Little to the Left stands as a notable example of a game jam prototype successfully expanded into a full commercial release. Its development by the small Canadian studio Max Inferno, founded by Annie Macmillan and Lukas Steinman, illustrates how independent developers can leverage game jam exposure and publisher support—in this case from Secret Mode—to bring a concept to market. The game's positive critical reception and million sales within a year indicate strong audience appeal for its calming, organization-based puzzle mechanics. The addition of the 'Let it Be' skip feature in response to a critic's observation demonstrates developer responsiveness to player experience. The release of the 'Cupboards and Drawers' DLC further extended the game's theme of home organization. Its availability across multiple platforms, including a later Android port, helped broaden its reach. The game's legacy includes its role in showcasing the viability of non-violent, tidy-up puzzle games in the indie market.
Did You Know?
- The game was initially made for the GMTK Game Jam 2020 with the theme 'Out of Control'.
- The 'Let it Be' feature, which allows players to skip levels, was added after a Rock Paper Shotgun article noted an unclear puzzle solution.
- The expansion pack 'Cupboards and Drawers' was released on June 27, 2023.
- Within a year of release, the game had received a million sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Little to the Left?
It's a cozy puzzle game where you tidy up cluttered rooms by rearranging objects into order. Max Inferno, a small Canadian indie studio, developed it, and Secret Mode published it in November 2022.
Who made A Little to the Left?
The game was built by Max Inferno, an independent studio based in Canada, with publishing handled by Secret Mode. It grew out of a 48-hour submission for the 2020 GMTK Game Jam before being expanded into a full title.
How does gameplay work in A Little to the Left?
Each level shows a messy space that you organize by dragging objects into the right spots. Some puzzles accept more than one valid arrangement, which is signaled by partially filled stars once you've solved them.
What platforms can I play A Little to the Left on?
It's available on Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Android, with the initial release landing on November 8, 2022.
What is the "Let it Be" option in A Little to the Left?
It's a built-in skip button that lets you move on from a puzzle you can't crack, removing any pressure to find the perfect solution. Max Inferno added it in response to player feedback to keep the experience relaxed and stress-free.
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