I’m commenting a couple of days after playing as I wanted to recover a bit first, but ahh this game was such a beautiful journey. The story, the atmosphere, art, the expressions, the music, the effects – it really sweeps you away into the strange and magical ‘out of time’ world that these two characters find themselves in (and perhaps, create for each other)!!
I’m often a bit cautious about sad-sounding stories, but there is there is also so much here that is hopeful and life affirming – so if anyone is in two minds about that aspect, I would really recommend giving it a try.
I also loved how the effects you used were so integral to the story – like the photograph (so clever!) being the catalyst for their meeting, or the transparency/visibility of Nathan varying based on his openness or state of mind – even things like with the falling leaves not just being beautiful but also giving that sense of a time of transition and letting go.
And the choices screen was so well executed too – so pretty and well designed, but having the MCs expressions change based in response to the potential choices was just the icing on the cake! I actually hesitated on a few choices just going back and forth just admiring the mechanics of it!
Talking of expressions – the sprite artist did such a beautiful job with these characters – there is so much personality in their dialogue, so it was great to see that echoed in the visuals alongside. Obviously, the whole game/UI/backgrounds looked beautiful, but that’s a detail that particularly stayed with me.
Oh! Also top marks for the character who only turned up in sound only, they were SO well chosen and I love him!
There’s probably other aspects I’ve forgotten to mention, but I better leave this here for now. Congratulations to all the team on this beautiful work. ❤