Posted on: December 22, 2021

FKAWMEWB
Verified ownerGames: 171 Reviews: 22
Continuities and departures
The third main game set in the To The Moon universe, I feel that IF is both a successful continuation, and to an extent a welcome reset of the series, ten years after the first title. Finding Paradise, for all its virtues, suffered a bit from Second Game Syndrome- trying to build on the astounding success that was TTM while at the same time trying to step things up a notch, more narrative acrobatics, more self-conscious video game action. (Unpopular opinion, I know.) IF on the other hand feels like a mature and confident return to simplicity, while at the same time bravely charting new territory: No centre-stage end-of-life patient destined to provide tearjerker moments, but a bunch of random characters mysteriously murdered - over and over again. It's not a different game altogether - the lovingly crafted RPG maker graphics and perfectly timed atmospheric soundtrack are there, and Act 2 in particular feels familiar, with Quincy collecting memory links in order to progress. Gameplay is pared down to a bare minimum even by the standard of the series, but I trust nobody plays these games for their mechanics, so IF really just focuses on the core experience. As others have stated before, the absence of the trademark back and forth between Neil and Eva is another departure, so Freebird's tagline "Ruining sentimental moments, one badly timed joke after another." applies here only so much- but honestly, it's been ten years since TTM. Things change. Beyond this, it's hard to go into detail without massive spoilers. The emotional impact of the game is sometimes direct, some of it unfolds when you think about it more. If you have some time left after the 3-4 hour experience, you're invited to ponder some of the ethical and philosophical points the game touches upon (lightly): Is the best life one that is free of strife? Are there different levels of nothingness? And how do you know yours is really the best rice in the world?
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