Night in the Woods

t;ldr buy and save for a <8 hour cleanser = Pros = Game runs great on the steam deck. Zero issues and easy performance. Witty and funny dialogue. Great comedic rhythm between characters. While we're at it, great character development. I looked forward to pretty much every dialogue scene just for the chance of learning more about everyone. Small, digestible map. I was worried about exploration because Mae walks kind of slowly, but you can get to the core main story pieces pretty quickly. I found deep exploration is only good for easter eggs and extra dialogue. This is a creative game with thoughtful touches. Using Mae's sketchbook to commemorate moments is great. The original music with DDR band practice mini game is fun. Through the story, mission structure, and dialogue, the game holds up its own distinctive personality. I have a hard time explaining it, but it kind of reminded me of how Homestarrunner felt when I first discovered it. A distinct, original brand of humor running through pretty much every aspect of the presentation. = Cons = The ending is messy. Unresolved. After touching on so many big topics like mental healthy, family trauma, sexuality, and faith, I was hoping the game would lead me to a more memorable ending. It was certainly done intentionally and I can respect that, but just enjoy the ride and temper your expectations for one of those endings that leave a lot of unanswered questions in the name of art.