Games worth discovering

IT FUFILLED MY EVERY WISH FOR AN INTERACTIVE NOVEL

1K View2024-01-28

Game: Until Then

Platform: PC

Genre: Interactive Fiction, Visual Novel, Mystery, Drama, 2D

Overview

Until Then is a really well-done Interactive Visual Novel, and despite the fact that it is only available as a Demo currently, it has the potential to catch and pull you in hook line and sinker. On the surface, it does not appear to be very appealing, but as you get into the game, you will realize how jaw-dropping it actually is.

Story

Rarely do novels have such a strong influence on the reader. Until Then captivates you with a thrilling and highly relevant story about a group of high school students' daily activities, schoolwork, and even love life. It begins quite simply, with a group of friends boasting about who is going to date who and how much he or she loves this specific individual and just having fun. But something goes wrong and just isn't right as it lingers in the minds of a few students which compels you to want to know more.

What's happening? Earthquakes? Rain when there shouldn't be? Characters questioning their reality as their memories become fuzzy with Deja Vu?

Graphics & Presentation

It feels highly relatable in so many ways, including the personalities, dialogue, writing, and world. It all works together flawlessly to create an experience in which you feel as if you're truly interacting with the characters, from the way you type on your keyboard as a little interactive touch to resemble typing in game, to the stories being told, and the general worry and concerns we all face in life as a whole.

The music is unsettling at times, but also calming and appropriate for the environment they are attempting to recreate. School-life, love, tension and even mini-games. You would think that a game has a limit on the number of distinct types of visual pixilation that can be used to depict emotions, yet it doesn't falter one bit.

Gameplay

When it comes to actual gameplay. You rarely play a Visual Novel for the purpose of freedom or control because it's a story. You usually have a few options to choose from, which will eventually lead to an alternate ending or perhaps a secret conversation. It's difficult to explain how this game makes you feel. It's essentially attempting to immerse you in the protagonist's life and get to know each of the characters so that you may develop an emotional relationship with them.

While it appeared to be linear which is often the case, providing you the sense of choice as you scroll through your chat logs and social media liking and following others, or simply having a chat with your friends. It just feels so well done that you can't help but really sit down to soak it all in and really appreciate it. You shouldn't expect much, but by sitting back and relaxing, you'll take a strong interest in the story.

Conclusion

The smiles, the warmth, and the link you have with your friends in this game truly struck a chord with me. It actually felt like talking with real people, real friends even if it was all in a game, I just can't get it out of my head. I played through the entire two-hour demo, full of questions, tension, and excitement that had me fully obsessed on discovering what was going on in the background, even though nothing was revealed fully. If you're familiar with A Space for the Unbound, it's extremely similar in that regard. We don't have a release day, but I hope people begin to realize its existence.