This game, at it's core, is a gorgeous and somber story. It's a very quiet and introspective game and as one of the biggest "Walking Simulators" to gain traction, it really sets a high bar for narrative story telling. Each play through draws from a pool of random props and dialogue, which makes each play through unique. It's a poster child for minimalism, which is to say it creates such an impact with very little. This is my go-to game when it's kind of a gloomy day. It only takes about an hour if you go through as fast as possible, however, I recommend exploring as much as you can in the set pieces, since they can reveal much more story. Jessica Curry paints the mood with the music in this game. Not only does it queue up right at the exact moment, the impact it leaves in it's wake leaves you wanting more. Nigel Carrington's voice really hits a home run here too. 10/10 for a eerie, gloomy, and very deeply moving story. Can't recommend it enough if you like quiet and introspective games.
I'll start by saying that I work in K12. So this game hits pretty close to home for me. But personal feelings aside, the game is a pretty scathing critique of the American Education Industry. Anyone who has gone to an American Public School since No Child Left Behind should give this game a glance. I'm not really one for management-style games. But I found this one to be pretty engaging. I kind of dreaded each next school, and what wicked thing I was going to have to do to move up the chain: Firing Teachers because I've suddenly decided I'm paying them too much? Turning complex and interesting humans into dumb pineapples to take tests and churn out that sweet sweet profit? Nothing was off limits to keep my "students" Achieving! It awoke a kind of carnal hunger. "You're not resting well Miss Mendoza? FIRED. You're out sick today Mr. So-and-so? FIRED. Didn't create enough pineapples Ms. Whatever? Hit the road." I rewarded bad behavior. I stunted growth. It was sickening. Everything was Zero Tolerance. I supposed if I had a critique, it would be that I'm not crazy about all of the clicking. But that's with every Management Sim, which I said earlier I'm usually not crazy about. Always so 'clicky.'
