It's cute. Graphics are very pretty. Tarot gameplay loop is alright. Characters are cool and cute but not very fleshed-out. Some sequences are cringe, like the introduction of the transgender character. Like, I know they mean well, but you can't expedite this girl's transition process in like 10 minutes by reading slow when it's an often painful growth process that takes years in real life. Political theories presented are... alright, I mean, it's kinda political science 101 on social democracy vs liberal communism. The game starts to say something kinda remarquable when it touches on community politics, how the relationships and the real life intersects with political theory and stuff but it's also pretty thin. The game has an extensive content warning screen with like, basically universally bleak stuff, and then some, which would hint at some depth that can hardly be found. It's a bit cringe on one hand, using tragic queer and feminine stories for a very mild, shallow result, but on the other I see it as a testimony of normalisation which I find cool. All in all I can't say I didn't like it. It's like comfort food, some light flutty pastry with icing sugar and lemon zest. You'll be disapointed if you expect more than some casual discourse on political theory, lots of good will and awesome visual and sound design. Also, please read the content warning screen, everything is in there.
Games like ECHO show the shortcoming of the common review system. It's a visually appealing, aesthetically distinctive, nicely dubbed, innovative, somewhat repetitive at some point, stable piece of puzzle game software sprinkled with elaborated narrative and worldbuilding. Not a scam, worth its price, might be enjoyable for you. That's as far as you can go objectively. I think the best way to go beyond that would be to introduce myself. I'm a mid twenties cognitive psychology student with a background in game design and an interest in philosophy. Among my favorite games, in no particular order, are Deus Ex, Control, Alan Wake, Bioshock, Dishonored and Portal. Among my favorite novels, in no particular order, are Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheeps, Fahrenheit 451 and 1984. I like overthinking things, creative problem solving and mind benders. I have a... Peculiar relationship with grieving. Although I think that science is the only way to knowledge and do my best to be the most rationnal agent possible, I'm fond of symbolism, occultism, metaphysics and all things mystical. I also love architecture, especially brutalism and art-deco. I'm currently playing Manifold Garden with great enjoyment. I love ECHO passionately. This game sticks with me like few could. If I had to pick 10 games to save from oblivion, this would definetly be one of them. The rest is up to you.
