The Big Con Review: A Nostalgic, Quirky Crime Caper Against the Man
A colourful, 90s-inspired crime caper that mixes cheeky heists with heartfelt moments, perfect for a quick nostalgic adventure
This quirky indie game mixes 90’s nostalgic charm with clever con artistry, serving up a fresh spin on narrative adventure games. In this The Big Con game review, we’re diving into everything from its story to its snappy visuals to see if it’s worth your time - and your ill-gotten gains!
Available on: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
Genre: Narrative, Puzzle, Exploration
Developer: Mightyyell
Publisher: Skybound Games
How Cozy? ⭐⭐⭐⭐There’s no threat, but the gameplay is to steal and con!
Game Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐ /5
Story
In The Big Con, you play as Ali, a teenager and reluctant con artist trying to save her mum’s struggling video rental shop. It’s peak 90s nostalgia, Walkmans and plaid shirts and as a child of the 90s I really enjoyed the nostalgic kick. It reminded me of the Friday night treat of going into Blockbuster to get the 2 for €5 weekend deal on videos and watching them on a loop with my sister.
The plot unfolds across a road-trip-style journey, meeting oddball characters and pulling off small-time scams to rack up the cash through pickpocketing or scamming shop vendors into thinking they’ve not given you enough change. It's charming, witty, and refreshingly heartfelt, especially if you grew up during the Blockbuster era.
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Gameplay
At its heart, The Big Con is a narrative adventure with light puzzle elements and a focus on exploration. The main mechanic is pickpocketing. You’ll be sneaking behind NPCs, timing button presses, and avoiding security as you swipe wallets and valuables.
It’s not exactly high-stakes heist simulator stuff, but it’s fun and surprisingly satisfying. There are also dialogue options, disguises, and little side hustles (like trading collectibles or helping strangers for cash), which add a bit of depth to the gameplay loop.
That said, if you’re looking for deep systems or hardcore challenges, this isn’t it. But for fans of casual indie adventure games, it absolutely delivers.
Graphics and Visuals
The art style in The Big Con is an absolute treat. Bold colours, thick outlines, and animation straight out of a 90s Saturday morning cartoon. The patterned backgrounds of the dialogue scenes reminded me of mornings watching Saved by the Bell. The aesthetic is consistent and full of personality, helping the game stand out in a crowded indie scene.
Each location is packed with visual gags, vibrant signage, and quirky character designs that make exploration feel rewarding, even when you’re not nicking things.
Longevity
You can finish The Big Con in around 4 to 6 hours, depending on how much time you spend chatting with strangers or completing side tasks. It’s not a long game, but it knows when to wrap things up, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome.
There’s some replay value if you want to max out your money or explore different dialogue options, but it’s more of a one play game.
Conclusion
If you love story-rich indie games, have a soft spot for the 90s, or just fancy something a bit different, The Big Con is well worth a look. It’s clever, colourful, and full of charm, even if it’s on the shorter side.
For fans of narrative-driven games, cozy adventure titles, or just a good old-fashioned scam (in-game only, please), this is one indie gem you shouldn’t miss. It’s a fun experience to play something a little on the cheeky side and to con your way through a retro mall dressed like an extra from Clarissa Explains It All.
