Just to get this out of the way, this game is stunning and I believe it will resonate with you as deeply and personally as it did me. The art and style are seemingly identical to those of To The Moon and A Bird Story, which is to say that they're beautiful and lend support to the theme and tone of the game's story. Unlike many other indies, the visuals here are razor-sharp, with no asset or animation feeling out of place. There are times when Kan Gao's soundtrack nearly steals the spotlight from his story. It can be mysterious, it can be humorous, and it can be potently emotional, empowered by its simplicity rather than reaching for unnecessary complexity. Surprising absolutely nobody who has played their previous titles, Freebird Games have wielded their stellar soundtrack with pinpoint accuracy in Finding Paradise and succeeded in bolstering the impact of this journey they have created for us. As mentioned, there are moments when Finding Paradise's soundtrack nearly steals the show, but its story always manages to win out. Gao's ability to write a forward-moving plot while moving chronologically backwards in To The Moon was impressive, but he has outdone himself. Here he's managed to keep the story clear and engaging while exploring a lifetime from both chronological beginning and end moving inwards, as well as providing sufficient foreshadowing throughout. The game's theme is loud and clear, reinforced masterfully by both its art and its soundtrack, and this story has the weight and power that only exist when an author digs deep to express something personal. The result is an emotional and introspective experience that will remind you of what is truly important in this life. Freebird Games have created a sequel that builds upon the foundation of To The Moon while also finding its own identity. Finding Paradise is a vast improvement over its already-great predecessor and sets a new standard for storytelling in video games.
I realized how much I loved this game when I entered a dialogue fully expecting it to result in a boss fight, and instead used my character's Decking skill in coordination with a sidequest (which seemed trivial and pointless at the time) that I'd completed earlier in order to get the goods I'd come for diplomatically. My party walked out of the room, with our goods, without firing a single shot. This is, truly, a roleplaying game, and that's something that's become rare in the video game scene as of late. The story actually drew me in, which is something I haven't really experienced in a long time, and it was very refreshing. The characters are each interesting, and you actually grow to care for them and understand them as your journey continues. The dialogue system offers plenty of choices right off the bat, and your character's skills and features only open up more. Unlike many games that have come out recently (I'm looking at you, Fallout 4!), the dialogue options actually change the direction of the conversation, rather than always leading to the same exact result. Dialogue can affect the game just as much as (and perhaps even more than) combat. Speaking of the combat, it is just about perfect for a CRPG. It's always just difficult enough that a wrong move can get you killed, but victory is always possible if you use the tools at your disposal wisely. Despite being turn-based and giving you all the time in the world to consider your next move, it always feels tense and real. Many turn-based combat systems feel like you're playing a board game, but in SR:DF it actually feels like you're in a firefight. I haven't yet played Returns or Hong Kong, though I definitely intend to, so I can't compare it to the other two games. What I can say is that this game was a delightfully refreshing return to the CRPG genre for me, and that if you enjoy CRPGs, narratively-driven games, or tabletop roleplaying games, you'll enjoy Dragonfall.
