What Remains of Edith Finch

What Remains of Edith Finch is one of those games that reminds me why I love storytelling in video games. It's only around two hours long, but those two hours are packed with incredible writing. The environmental storytelling is some of the best I've experienced, and slowly piecing together the Finch family's history until the final reveal kept me completely hooked from beginning to end. Even though it's technically a walking simulator, it never feels like you're just moving from point A to B. Every sequence introduces a different mechanic that puts you directly in the shoes of each character, making every story feel unique and personal. Lewis' chapter in particular is one of the most immersive sequences I've ever played. The way its gameplay reinforces the story is nothing short of brilliant. The soundtrack deserves just as much praise. Music is one of the things that has the biggest impact on me in games, and here it perfectly captures every emotion the story wants you to feel. I also appreciated that, while the story leaves room for interpretation, it never feels vague just for the sake of appearing "deep." It gives you enough pieces to build your own conclusions without feeling frustrating or pretentious. This is easily one of the best narratives I've experienced in gaming. It's also one of the easiest games to recommend because almost anyone can finish it in a single sitting. If someone still thinks games are just entertainment in the same way they were decades ago, What Remains of Edith Finch is one of the first titles I'd show them to prove that games can be genuine works of art 9/10