It\'s As If You Were On Your Phone is a bizarre new introspective desktop mobile release

If you're familiar with the underground video game scene, you'll know that developer Pippin Barr is something of a celebrity in those circles. With a prolific output of thought-provoking, unique, and often downright weird games, Barr's latest release, It's As If You Were On Your Phone (IAIYWOYP), might just be their most bizarre yet.

So, what is IAIYWOYP all about? Well, it's an intriguing concept: you play the game on your phone while pretending not to be on it. The game is set in a near future where societal pressure to use your phone is omnipresent, yet the expectation is that you're not actually using it. The workaround? You follow prompts and perform actions as if you were using your phone.

This setup is both strange and surreal, particularly for a mobile game. As a gameplay experience, IAIYWOYP might not offer much in terms of traditional engagement, but as an artistic statement, it raises intriguing questions about our relationship with technology beyond the usual "phones are bad" narrative.

**It's aaaart!!!** So, should you play IAIYWOYP? That depends on your openness to experimental games. If you're willing to delve into its message and reflect on its commentary about societal pressures and personal behavior, you might find it rewarding. However, given its focus on following prompts, there might not be much beyond the initial experience.

Yet, this is Pippin Barr we're talking about, known for games that are worth experiencing for their uniqueness alone. So, consider giving IAIYWOYP a try and ponder what it's trying to say about you and our world.

If you're in the mood for something more conventional, you can always check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week.