When you’re dealing with story-driven games, I make it a particular goal of mine to try not to give too much away about them. So many times I have the luxury of walking into these experiences pretty well blind, and when they pack an emotional punch that makes them even more powerful. So, if you think you may be interested in a game that mixes heartbreak and what will feel like some very creative puzzle design at times, you can stop reading now knowing that I think the game is brilliant, and well worth the few hours it offers for a very humble price.

If you’ve decided to keep reading I’ll discuss a little more, though I really have no desire to ruin anything, so I’ll still try to be as vague as I can. Given that I have family that have suffered from a pretty wide range of mental health issues, I’m particularly sensitive to how they’re depicted and sometimes used in games. Far too often it feels like they’re treated as a plot device or depicted in the most reductive form possible, ignoring nuance and what is often real pain for everyone involved in the person’s life. This is a game that instead gets it right, and portrays the struggles on both sides of the coin in very clever ways.

You’ll have to indulge the first Chapter a bit, as it could absolutely give you the wrong idea, and some of the earliest puzzles and gameplay elements will just seem odd and confusing. I would just encourage you to stick with it, as in the end it’s all quite brilliant in its concept and design. Everything carries purpose and real value once things come into focus. 

Saying more, unfortunately, I think would risk ruining the experience. I will say that my personal connection to this made it particularly hard to get through near the end without needing to go through a box of Kleenex. But I applaud what the developer has pulled off, somehow getting both key aspects of the experience right. While many will nail the story side of the equation, the gameplay will often be non-existent or seem a bit disconnected. When the gameplay side is the winner, far too often the story ends up just feeling like a convenient device that just helps drive, but is under-developed. It’s rare that I find myself wanting to yell praises for story-driven games from the rooftops, but this is one that absolutely deserves the effort.