Z.A.T.O. // I Love the World and Everything In It

看了好几天。 每天一打开看了几句就觉得这些对话和事件看上去如此该死的熟悉，像是另一个自己会说的一样。或者我的某个朋友，在十几岁的时候，我们可能会像这样聊天，做这样相似的事情。看过的这些文字留下的情绪就留在我的身体中了，就算关掉以后也要再思索再回味好一会儿。 是这样的，就是这样的。像是在一处梦境中，大家体验过了同样的事情，留下了同样强烈的感情。 我会记得我做过这样的梦

在宏大叙事的背景下，我们日常生活中的曲折其实只是微不足道的震荡。 从头开始画一条直线，就连训练有素的画家都终会画歪，但一条横跨整个宇宙的直线，经过地球的那段不论多么扭曲，放远看都激不起什么涟漪。但万一这种弯折超乎想象，甚至近似于一个圆呢？很简单，继续画下去，不断将线条延伸下去，那么整体上看这些弯折就会变得比像素点更加渺小。 这么看，这世界是如此的温柔，谢谢你的爱，ASYA

心中视觉小说永远的NO.1 ！ 旧苏联时期的冰天雪地和建筑、诸多的内省思维文案、充斥整个游戏的斯拉夫式哲学思辨、自我本源的探索和剖析、浓郁苦寒的红色毛子的科幻文学、时不时穿插的略微有点恐惧窒息的侧描手法、每个角色的塑造、美术和配乐以及最后电波女主如“站在世界中心呼唤爱的野兽”般站在老旧发电塔的最高处对整个宇宙发出名为爱的告白 每个都精准的踩在我的喜好的正中心位置🥵 神～↓神～↑这就是神作口牙～！😍

Huh. I just finished the game a moment ago. Should I have thought things through? Considered the subtle cues and how they tied into events not directly explained, using that framework to make sure I judged this game fairly? Probably. But I'm worried I'll lose the feelings of intrigue, sorrow, longing, and a fourth emotion that probably sounds pretentious. Which this game is not, mostly. I love slow deliberate starts. I like exploring the psychology of the characters, and feeling alongside them based on experiences I myself can relate to, rather than am told about. And I liked every character, yes all of them. Which this game, despite its short length compared to a "proper" visual novel, does well. Each stood out in different ways and complemented each other. (Though i wish the NPCs got proper names to differentiate, hearing classmate 1 be both a guy and a girl at different points was jarring.) Story progressed in a natural way, though I have mixed feelings about the ending, which kept a regular pace and allowed breathing room. Each moment was potent and purposeful, to the point that I wanted more. As the story came to the conclusion I expected around the midway point, I wanted more story. Desperate emotions against the inevitable. Which is admittedly a nitpick at best, and a complement to the story tightness at better. The artstyle fit the story very well. Emotions, even at the point where they were hollow due to plot reasons, were portrayed very viscerally, with Omori or Coffin of Andy and Leyley being easy comparisons. CGs were timed well, though the characters sometimes not having sprites was a bit jarring. Also Vadim's Pacman ear. But looking at the artbook and how much care Ferry had for every detail, these are also a nitpick at best. Soundtrack was timed well as story beats expected. It's all royalty free music except the intro and credits, so I can't say more than "done well". Lastly, I appreciate how unapologetic the setting is to its russian background. I had to look up tidbits related to location, historic event and even clothing and dessert. And I wouldn't have it any other way. With how translations of many games can tend to change aspects to make sense to the audience, I'm glad this story can't be separated from its Russian background. Also its free. Try for an hour if I haven't sold you, and return if you get bored.

A short visual novel with a beautiful style and a lovely plot. Confusing at times but it all makes sense in the end, mostly, probably.

peak