Imagine you looked like a T: what a crazy life you’d see! Your arms don’t bend, kids laugh at you, you’ll need some help to use the loo. But though your T-bod can be trying, twirl a bit and you’ll be flying – twisting, soaring through the air, wind billowing through your hair. When you float back to the ground, all the town will gather ’round and celebrate your T-shaped flight, and maybe things will be all right.

To a T is an episodic narrative adventure from Japan-based studio uvula, co-founded by Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi. It takes you through the everyday life of a teenager and their dog living in a coastal village in the 90s, with a small catch: the teenager’s body is permanently stuck in a T-pose. Since birth, they’ve spent their life with arms outstretched, with no explanation for this phenomenon. I guess sometimes, you’re just a T.

After naming your T-shaped protagonist and their adorable dog, you’re faced with the reality of daily life as a young teenager with a “different” body. As the player, you manipulate the joysticks and shoulder buttons to manoeuvre your arms around a world that was not built to accommodate you. You’ve got plenty of strategies to get through the day at home: your dog assists you with mundane tasks like getting dressed and using the bathroom, while specially-designed long spoons and toothbrush handles allow you to perform some tasks on your own. However, school is a huge source of stress for you. Not only do you need to twist your body to simply fit through classroom doors, but a group of cruel bullies torment you every day.

Pretty soon into your adventure, you’ll encounter one of the title’s little collection of quirky and delightful music videos. You’ll have already enjoyed its whimsical soundtrack, which takes the soothing instrumentals of series like The Sims and pairs them with unusual percussive notes that wouldn’t feel out of place in Animal Crossing.

When a music video starts, you’re treated to a TV-theme-styled cutscene where characters sing about the game’s world and expand its lore. These numbers are incredibly catchy and since they feature in each of To a T’s episodes, they’ll quickly hijack your waking hours and have you singing “My name is Giraffe” around the house to the detriment of your flatmates’ or family’s sanity.

What strikes a chord with me is how effortlessly To a T explores complex topics around accessibility and loss, delving into heavy themes while never missing a whimsical and joyous beat. It’s refreshing and incredibly important to see a game that frames disability in a positive light, celebrating the joy of owning a body that’s different but not downplaying the difficulties of existing in a world not designed for you.

Despite its wholesome story and killer soundtrack, the actual gameplay loop in To a T leans into the mundane a little too heavily at times. Outside of dedicated interactions to perform specific tasks, your protagonist doesn’t feel that great to control when roaming around town, which isn’t helped by the game’s fixed camera angles in each area. There’s also a reliance on repetitive tasks to pad out sections between story beats, as well as some micro-interactions that rely on physically strenuous activities like repeatedly circling the joystick that feel at odds with the game’s tone. Younger gamers might look past these shortcomings, but they do become a little frustrating when you’re expecting a cosy experience.

Aside from a few issues, To a T is a delightful few hours in a wonderfully quirky world. Its lack of challenge means it’s definitely geared towards younger players or those who prefer a gentler experience, and for these gamers, there’s plenty of wholesome fun to be had. With its slapping soundtrack, powerful message, and jolly presentation, this is a neat little celebration of diversity and child-like joy that’s sure to warm the coldest heart.