A short game with a remarkably strong atmosphere and a distinct sense of place. You explore the Finch family’s house and its surroundings while gradually discovering what happened to its members. Everything unfolds through Edith’s narration as she moves through the different spaces where the characters from her family’s past once lived.
What makes the game especially impressive is how much gameplay it manages to incorporate into what could otherwise have been a straightforward environmental exploration experience. There is a constant stream of inventive sequences: entering a comic book where the panels come alive as interactive scenes, swinging on a swing, chasing animals during a hallucination, controlling a kite, and even working in a fish factory while guiding a character through an imagined process. The variety is excellent, and the game rarely feels like it is simply asking you to walk around and inspect things.
The environmental design is outstanding. Every space is packed with small details, from photographs and documents to an enormous number of books whose titles can actually be seen. The environments are also wonderfully varied. One moment you might be standing on a balcony overlooking an interesting view; the next, you are crawling through an underground burrow or discovering a hidden room behind a bookcase. There is always something visually or spatially interesting to discover. The lighting is also very well handled, contributing significantly to the atmosphere of each location.
The narrative is structured in a way that allows the Finch family members to feel almost resurrected through their memories and the spaces they left behind. Their stories are not simply presented through documents, notes, diaries, and keys; instead, the game turns their past experiences into interactive sequences that allow you to briefly inhabit them.
A really great game. It also feels like it is exactly the right length for what it is trying to accomplish. At 3.7 hours, it manages to leave a strong impression without overstaying its welcome.
Playing time: 3.7 hours
Verdict: An excellent investigation game that never forgets that it is a game rather than an investigation assignment. It isn't just about collecting documents, reading notes, finding diaries, or searching for keys - it is filled with interactive, imaginative scenes that bring the story and its characters to life.
