Retrace is top-down adventure game that draws on grisly visual novels like the Zero Escape series but differentiates itself with an emphasizes on queer romance. Freya - the main character - is caught in a time-loop and forced to solve a series of fiendish puzzles where failure yields lethal results for her and her friends.

Retrace isn't particularly long, with the game's middle-act feeling like the most fully-realised of the three. I reached the credits in about three hours. Still, most of this felt like time well spent. The atmospheric soundtrack works wonders when it comes to getting you in the mood and the evocative character art invites you to invest yourself further still. The game does an excellent job of motivating you to save Freya and her friends.

Most of all, the thing that sticks with me about Retrace is the thoughtfulness of it all. The puzzles, the writing, the visuals and the sound all feel very considered and deliberate - not just in how they function alone but also how they play off each other.

Overall, Retrace a sweet, if short, adventure that I can absolutely recommend to fans of the genre - especially if they're excited by the promise of something that doesn't awkwardly mishandle or shy away from same-sex relationships.

Retrace is top-down adventure game that draws on grisly visual novels like the Zero Escape series but differentiates itself with an emphasizes on queer romance. Freya - the main character - is caught in a time-loop and forced to solve a series of fiendish puzzles where failure yields lethal results for her and her friends. Retrace isn't particularly long, with the game's middle-act feeling like the most fully-realised of the three. I reached the credits in about three hours. Still, most of this felt like time well spent. The atmospheric soundtrack works wonders when it comes to getting you in the mood and the evocative character art invites you to invest yourself further still. The game does an excellent job of motivating you to save Freya and her friends. Most of all, the thing that sticks with me about Retrace is the thoughtfulness of it all. The puzzles, the writing, the visuals and the sound all feel very considered and deliberate - not just in how they function alone but also how they play off each other. Overall, Retrace a sweet, if short, adventure that I can absolutely recommend to fans of the genre - especially if they're excited by the promise of something that doesn't awkwardly mishandle or shy away from same-sex relationships.