not a lot of things make me cry

but this game did

minor spoilers ahead

Starting off, the humor is nothing to write home about, but its endlessly endearing. The characters are all so lovable, and I enjoyed, even felt drawn to, seeing all of their stories from beginning to end. There is not a single dull moment, even in the dull moments, the conversation is engaging. I especially love how at the end of some of the characters arcs, you can find them in a certain spot the happiest you've ever seen them.  I especially like Numa and Kyungsoons ending, they're just chilling.  Though the twist with Natalies ending is itself satisfying.  It really makes you feel accomplished.

The character designs are adorable.  Natalie is my personal favorite, but all of the characters are simple enough that they aren't overwhelming, but distinct enough that you would easily be able to recognize them from a low effort doodle on the wall. Not to mention how each of them have their own colors, which fit their personalities so well. I wonder if the designers knew about emotion in color theory?

The music is no orchestral masterpiece, but the different music for different places fits so well, and helped make it feel lively for what could otherwise have been monotonous.  I did appreciate that the music just stops when you reach the pit, really gives  it that mysterious atmosphere, and makes it that little bit more eerie when you climb down.

And the closing music... what a way to end the game. Going right back to the song you helped Sean with, really well done.

It's a bit of a back and forth across the map for the stories, but it helps to slow the pace and get you to know the place better.  I like how the triggers to change the scene aren't intrusive or out of place. There is the occasional arrow, but those only appear if you hover over the trigger.

Kyungsoon is very silly, you should be sure to collect the snow globes.

I LOVED the screens at the end of each arc where you remember bits of yourself, and I don't think it would have been nearly as impactful if you couldn't choose the story for yourself. It really got me to go back on my own life and think about how I lived.  Damn near started messaging my friend about how much he means to me, but i don't think I'm old enough to be reminiscing on our lives with him just yet.

I especially love how each arc relates to how they lived short lives, and how their stories finished their arc from life and completing those story lines is what allows them to pass on. 

Obviously not the most faithful representation of religious ideas, but its among the more thoughtful representations of the afterlife out there.

Overall, i stayed up way too late playing this, but it was worth every second.  And for a game jam entry?  Remarkable work.  The devs, writers, designers, everyone involved should be proud.

i cried

i never cry

An initially unassuming piece on the truth of what it means to be human. What it means to be flawed and the inevitable process of looking backwards at what life you've already lived. 

Of course, we are all still living. But who knows for how long.  I appreciate the reminder to make the most of what time we will have-- and further, to keep living despite the past.