Inside Pixels I get this feeling that I am never really done. When I get a better setup or unlock new tools the system just adds another layer that wants more of my time more of my attention and more of my routine. It does not yell at me or anything. It just keeps going one step at a time. That makes for a feeling where I think I am getting ahead but at the same time I am still a little behind.
What I notice about Pixels is how it controls the pace of the game with repetition. I do not get to the moments very often. Instead I keep doing things that slowly add up to something bigger. At first it feels pretty relaxing like something I can just do in the background and check on every now and then.. After a while that repetition starts to affect the way I make decisions. I start planning my day around Pixels without realizing it like it is becoming a part of my daily routine not just something I play.
There is also this thing, about Pixels where it makes me think about whether I'm really creating something valuable. The system makes it seem like the effort I put in will last and that what I build will matter even after I stop playing. That sounds really good because most games do not let me keep anything.. It also makes me feel like every small thing I do is more important than it really is. I start wondering if I am playing Pixels because I enjoy it or if I am just keeping something going that needs work. Pixels makes me think about this a lot.