While I am not completely enamoured with this game as others seem to be, it was still a very solid experience. In a world of over-hyped indies with lackluster narratives (your mouthwashing's of the world) this was a pleasant surprise. The world-building is engaging, the characters are nuanced without overstaying their welcome, the story is emotional and resonant and it doesn't shy away from taking things to their natural conclusion - no matter how violent it might by.

Add on top of this multiple scenes that caught me completely off-guard, including some real-life footage and well - it's hard not to be impressed. I've learned about the makers of this game from podcasts and I'm a fellow dev, so it is refreshing to see how unique their take is on games, having come from theatre.

This can be felt in the emphasis on emotion and grand statements, rather than anything concrete. If you want a precise, neatly composed narrative - this game will drive you wild. If you like the grandiose gestures of theatre - you will love this.

I am somewhat in the middle. But in the end, there were many standout moments, I don't regret playing it for a second and it will stick in my memory - more than I can say for many AAA "story games".

Oh, and one last thing. This game could really sing with an "enhanced edition". The level design is abysmal, truly some of the worst I've ever seen. The "gameplay" is barely there and induced motion sickness in me the likes I have never experienced outside VR and the "graphics"... well, let's just say that this is on the level of someone who has done a week of Unity tutorials. Basically a free mod. But in the end... it doesn't matter. Because the vision was there, the storytelling ability was there and they were lucky enough to have actor friends on tap.

But, really, if this game is cleaned up on a technical fundamentals level it could easily clear 500k+ copies sold. More people deserve to experience this story. It's so rare to have a fresh take on the medium like this.

Recommended, for anyone who can stomach the technical shortcomings.

While I am not completely enamoured with this game as others seem to be, it was still a very solid experience. In a world of over-hyped indies with lackluster narratives (your mouthwashing's of the world) this was a pleasant surprise. The world-building is engaging, the characters are nuanced without overstaying their welcome, the story is emotional and resonant and it doesn't shy away from taking things to their natural conclusion - no matter how violent it might by. Add on top of this multiple scenes that caught me completely off-guard, including some real-life footage and well - it's hard not to be impressed. I've learned about the makers of this game from podcasts and I'm a fellow dev, so it is refreshing to see how unique their take is on games, having come from theatre. This can be felt in the emphasis on emotion and grand statements, rather than anything concrete. If you want a precise, neatly composed narrative - this game will drive you wild. If you like the grandiose gestures of theatre - you will love this. I am somewhat in the middle. But in the end, there were many standout moments, I don't regret playing it for a second and it will stick in my memory - more than I can say for many AAA "story games". Oh, and one last thing. This game could really sing with an "enhanced edition". The level design is abysmal, truly some of the worst I've ever seen. The "gameplay" is barely there and induced motion sickness in me the likes I have never experienced outside VR and the "graphics"... well, let's just say that this is on the level of someone who has done a week of Unity tutorials. Basically a free mod. But in the end... it doesn't matter. Because the vision was there, the storytelling ability was there and they were lucky enough to have actor friends on tap. But, really, if this game is cleaned up on a technical fundamentals level it could easily clear 500k+ copies sold. More people deserve to experience this story. It's so rare to have a fresh take on the medium like this. Recommended, for anyone who can stomach the technical shortcomings.