There are games you finish and don't know what to say because they are so unremarkable, and then there are games like 1000x resist where I sit at my computer inmediately after thinking how exactly I could do the game justice without just playing it again whilst taking notes.
I'll try to be brief, but what 1000x resist's sci fi narrative adventure game brings to the table is that its not only dense as hell plot and theme wise, feeling almost like an adaptation of some acclaimed novel, whilst also having stylistic flourishes that are both impressive and also feel purposeful in a way that a higher budget game probably wouldn't. They made a game this visually striking with what feels like cardboard sets and a few unity shaders. The starkness of the environment design and the various shifts of perspective from over the shoulder to first person to top down to side scroller in a way that feels elegant rather than whiplash to the extreme.
The credits have the usual indie game thing where one guy was Modeler, Texturer, Writer, Designer, Costum Designer, Chef, Lawyer and Defender of the Innocent. The game is so impressive as someone who does 3D modelling myself, I have taken a bunch of screenshots of the game simply because I love how they look. One small ass team somehow puts most AAA games I've played to shame in the visual department.
Thats not to say the game's budget or lack thereof doesn't become apparent with the lack of facial animation. Of course the game understands this to some extent, hence the choice of making the sisters require masks to breathe and be clones of each other (hence, only like 5 or so models had to be rigged up) but thats what taking advantage of your limitations is all about.
Story wise, its again hard for me to really comment because its dense but in a way that all great narratives are, like say, Moby Dick or The Truman show, which are enjoyable both at surface level and on a deeper read of the symbolism. Not everything worked for me, and the resolutions of the endings could have perhaps been more elegant, as well as all the Hong Kong stuff carrying the stench of liberalism about it (Incidentally the cops of the provisional government being called the Red Guard was really on the nose) but the game is otherwise so engaging that I don't mind. Strong personal contender for GOTY, it and Extreme Evolution : Drive to Divinity are the front-runners for me.
I'll try to be brief, but what 1000x resist's sci fi narrative adventure game brings to the table is that its not only dense as hell plot and theme wise, feeling almost like an adaptation of some acclaimed novel, whilst also having stylistic flourishes that are both impressive and also feel purposeful in a way that a higher budget game probably wouldn't. They made a game this visually striking with what feels like cardboard sets and a few unity shaders. The starkness of the environment design and the various shifts of perspective from over the shoulder to first person to top down to side scroller in a way that feels elegant rather than whiplash to the extreme.
The credits have the usual indie game thing where one guy was Modeler, Texturer, Writer, Designer, Costum Designer, Chef, Lawyer and Defender of the Innocent. The game is so impressive as someone who does 3D modelling myself, I have taken a bunch of screenshots of the game simply because I love how they look. One small ass team somehow puts most AAA games I've played to shame in the visual department.
Thats not to say the game's budget or lack thereof doesn't become apparent with the lack of facial animation. Of course the game understands this to some extent, hence the choice of making the sisters require masks to breathe and be clones of each other (hence, only like 5 or so models had to be rigged up) but thats what taking advantage of your limitations is all about.
Story wise, its again hard for me to really comment because its dense but in a way that all great narratives are, like say, Moby Dick or The Truman show, which are enjoyable both at surface level and on a deeper read of the symbolism. Not everything worked for me, and the resolutions of the endings could have perhaps been more elegant, as well as all the Hong Kong stuff carrying the stench of liberalism about it (Incidentally the cops of the provisional government being called the Red Guard was really on the nose) but the game is otherwise so engaging that I don't mind. Strong personal contender for GOTY, it and Extreme Evolution : Drive to Divinity are the front-runners for me.
1000xResist is one of those sleeper indie games I picked up because of the seemingly out of nowhere cult favoritism and fanfare they've gotten, thinking I may be in the running for a hidden gem and possible memorable sleeper hit. What I quickly found out as I made my way through this visual-novel esque piece of abstract was that you are intended to revel and take in the confusion as a piece of endearment towards this media and not as a detraction. The scope of the narrative is entirely obscure and reminiscent of an amalgamation of futuristic and philosophical pieces of work that I've experienced in the past like Nier: Automata, Land of the Lustrous, and strangely enough Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. I'm all for the out-there when it comes to penning a story, but there has to be a level of grounding for me to have a buy-in. Nier: Automata's abstractism and grandiose questioning of Philip K Dickian ponderings works because it has an immediate pressing storyline to help carry on the deeper and more intrinsic philosophies. Where 1000xResist separates for me is that you as the player are immediately thrust into a cavernously deep thought-focused plot with no real endeavor made to either coat it under an easier to parse coat of paint or giving it a guiding light. I'm not saying that it needed to be spoken to the player like they were out of Idiocracy or something, but Moreso that levelling out a ten or so hour experience in abstract and only making it more confusing and... abstract leads to a story that never really sticks for me.
I was able to understand the loose goings-ons of things as they happened and the messages placed throughout the game, but it never really struck with me as a critically important or thought provoking piece of media. This is the same gripe I had with the last six episodes of Neon Genesis: Evangelion that gets me in hot water with friends of mine as we discuss the hallmark and legendary anime. As the creator delved further into the conceptional of Shinji's mind and enemies at large and further and further into psychological mysticism, I fell out of favor with the show. It felt like it was trying to "think too much" and not "say enough." That is ultimately my qualm with 1000xResist, there is a lot being done in weird ways that are meant to be symbolic and interesting but ultimately fell flat because of the persistence to non-linear and ambiguous storytelling.
On top of qualms with the way the story was told, there are some slight issues I had with this game that don't really chalk up to much of a real con-list: voice acting I felt could have been greatly improved to create a more passionate tale, and the hub world that you revisit quite a bit is maze-like and annoying to traverse.
Pick this up if you want a mildly interesting (basically) visual novel that jumps heavily into science fiction themes, but if you want a game that will stick with you and make you think, this was not it.
I was able to understand the loose goings-ons of things as they happened and the messages placed throughout the game, but it never really struck with me as a critically important or thought provoking piece of media. This is the same gripe I had with the last six episodes of Neon Genesis: Evangelion that gets me in hot water with friends of mine as we discuss the hallmark and legendary anime. As the creator delved further into the conceptional of Shinji's mind and enemies at large and further and further into psychological mysticism, I fell out of favor with the show. It felt like it was trying to "think too much" and not "say enough." That is ultimately my qualm with 1000xResist, there is a lot being done in weird ways that are meant to be symbolic and interesting but ultimately fell flat because of the persistence to non-linear and ambiguous storytelling.
On top of qualms with the way the story was told, there are some slight issues I had with this game that don't really chalk up to much of a real con-list: voice acting I felt could have been greatly improved to create a more passionate tale, and the hub world that you revisit quite a bit is maze-like and annoying to traverse.
Pick this up if you want a mildly interesting (basically) visual novel that jumps heavily into science fiction themes, but if you want a game that will stick with you and make you think, this was not it.
Even my shitty government isn't as good at rehashing generational trauma as this game's masterful recycling of art assets
at some point you gotta stop saying vaguely evocative shit and making me rorschach test it into something of value
and actually show me something of value
barring a few sleights of hand in the presentation, this is a borderline waste of time. and if you're interested in said sleights of hand, you would probably be better off making ur way through satoshi kon's actual oeuvre. or anything by yuasa. the only thing this gains out of being a videogame is... weirdly long chunks of time getting lost in a huge archvis greybox doing random fetch quests with minimally helpful markers and no map?
and actually show me something of value
barring a few sleights of hand in the presentation, this is a borderline waste of time. and if you're interested in said sleights of hand, you would probably be better off making ur way through satoshi kon's actual oeuvre. or anything by yuasa. the only thing this gains out of being a videogame is... weirdly long chunks of time getting lost in a huge archvis greybox doing random fetch quests with minimally helpful markers and no map?
Bang Bang Fire: Cannot intuit the mechanics of the Death Note/Could not solve the Kira case.
Fixer: Cannot intuit the mechanics of the Death Note/Could solve the Kira case.
Healer: Can intuit the mechanics of the Death Note/Could not solve the Kira case.
Knower: Can intuit the mechanics of the Death Note/Could solve the Kira case.
Watcher: Probably would be manipulated and killed by kira.
Fixer: Cannot intuit the mechanics of the Death Note/Could solve the Kira case.
Healer: Can intuit the mechanics of the Death Note/Could not solve the Kira case.
Knower: Can intuit the mechanics of the Death Note/Could solve the Kira case.
Watcher: Probably would be manipulated and killed by kira.
This review contains spoilers
hair to hair
It would be unfair, reductive and inaccurate to categorize "1000xRESIST" as a walking simulator. The experience of playing it is more akin to having a person's thoughts and feelings laid bare for you to voyeuristically pick through then subsequently clasping their hand and leaping into the unknown. I won't pretend to understand the full intent or meaning that "1000xRESIST" presents, but that's okay. The backpack can't fit everything. But it spoke to me and it has a lot to say. This game feels like it is made for everyone but more intently for those like Iris or her parents.
"To be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens."
The amount of consideration placed in the construction of the world, its inhabitants and how it relates both presently and as a cautionary future to our modern time is staggering. Gentle pleasantries are appropriated or twisted to become ammo for fascist powers. Good natures are exploited to further the agendas of those that would stop at nothing to get what they desire. Even your own actions and understandings are rewritten through farcical performances that distort the truth into something you can't even recognize, despite having seen it happen.
Expressive lighting, posing and framing convey so much more than traditional animated performances might permit. There is so much implied and inferred through the minimalism on screen, that it would detract to have more articulated motions occurring while the weight of the story is delivered. This minimal approach also means that the world quickly imprints itself on you and more readily presents its changes as events progress. Easier to appreciate the subtle and sweeping ways the world has altered when you can observe it.
The subway system design and the ever-changing appearance of the Orchard beautifully weave together with the various eras of the story threads. The sterile, far-future look juxtaposed with the familiar contemporary school and home life of Iris feels like traveling back to a forgotten time. How long has life been this way? What have we lost along the way that we don't even remember having? This is most powerfully felt during the more active parts of the game when Watcher is soaring through the exploded dioramas of Iris' world, being flung from one vignette to another in rapid succession. A life disrupted by catastrophic events that we can only see reach their inevitable conclusions.
"To converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; interchange thoughts or feelings."
From the very beginning, you are invited to participate in this world through words that you don't appreciate or understand. They are familiar but ethereal. Lacking context to put them into perspective. You latch onto their ideas and soon find them repeated back at you. The selected words stayed with Watcher. And myself. Never choosing to deviate, despite given ample opportunity. The world just impresses upon you so confidently its pieces and your place that it is easy to become these characters and feel the words evolve despite never changing.
You are not simply walking or reading or watching. You are building. Watcher and yourself are building a frame of reference, an understanding or this world. How did this place come to be and why are the people and ideas in it as they are? You are building a point of view. Speaking with the inhabitants is enthralling because of how narrow a space they exist within, boiling their lives down to a function, but how broad they are within that sliver through such rich shades of performance and personality. Building an outcome through choices that feel like your own, but upon reflection, were unavoidable steps in the progress of its story. It certainly doesn't feel that way in the moment, and that is one of its greatest accomplishments in making you want those actions.
And those actions are radical change to upend the status quo and create a better world that protects and values the lives of the people. To choose forgiveness and give it, despite being incredibly difficult. To right the wrongs by your own hand and those that were inherited from those long before you in the world.
The function of all sisters appears straight forward, but the function of Watcher is out of place. Were the intended purpose of Watcher at face value to simply observe Iris/ALLMOTHER's past, that could suffice through Knower. The crucial difference between knowing and watching is the experience. Knowing something and being there to live it are vastly different, and this experience is what pushes Watcher and us to need things to change. It is all too easy to passively hear statistics of atrocities or read a headline of suffering in the world, but when faced with the inescapable truth of pain, you should no longer be able to compartmentalize it.
We're all thankful to have been Watcher, but we all wish to be Blue.
"To cause to combine or coalesce; unite."
Trauma has devastated the world in so many ways. It has shaped the behaviors of those we hold dear, removing so much from them. Deleted cultures, foods, identities. We should not allow these to continue unabated. We can and should try to do better, for those directly affected and future generations. Like Iris' parents conclude- better to have failed and history show that we tried than to have idly allow it to happen.
Empathy builds action, and action builds empathy.
It is truly incredible how the buried memories of Hong Kong land. Nothing of true significance, just daily life and textures. A car ride, watching lights roll by from a window. It pierces deeply how fragile and fleeting it all can be. There is a reason the final object we leave behind is that of an image. We can't just watch and not be affected.
"1000xRESIST" is a call to action to never stop building our perspectives through the people and world around us and to never stop building toward a better tomorrow. Here is hoping that I and we can live up to that challenge.
hair to hair
It would be unfair, reductive and inaccurate to categorize "1000xRESIST" as a walking simulator. The experience of playing it is more akin to having a person's thoughts and feelings laid bare for you to voyeuristically pick through then subsequently clasping their hand and leaping into the unknown. I won't pretend to understand the full intent or meaning that "1000xRESIST" presents, but that's okay. The backpack can't fit everything. But it spoke to me and it has a lot to say. This game feels like it is made for everyone but more intently for those like Iris or her parents.
"To be alertly on the lookout, look attentively, or observe, as to see what comes, is done, or happens."
The amount of consideration placed in the construction of the world, its inhabitants and how it relates both presently and as a cautionary future to our modern time is staggering. Gentle pleasantries are appropriated or twisted to become ammo for fascist powers. Good natures are exploited to further the agendas of those that would stop at nothing to get what they desire. Even your own actions and understandings are rewritten through farcical performances that distort the truth into something you can't even recognize, despite having seen it happen.
Expressive lighting, posing and framing convey so much more than traditional animated performances might permit. There is so much implied and inferred through the minimalism on screen, that it would detract to have more articulated motions occurring while the weight of the story is delivered. This minimal approach also means that the world quickly imprints itself on you and more readily presents its changes as events progress. Easier to appreciate the subtle and sweeping ways the world has altered when you can observe it.
The subway system design and the ever-changing appearance of the Orchard beautifully weave together with the various eras of the story threads. The sterile, far-future look juxtaposed with the familiar contemporary school and home life of Iris feels like traveling back to a forgotten time. How long has life been this way? What have we lost along the way that we don't even remember having? This is most powerfully felt during the more active parts of the game when Watcher is soaring through the exploded dioramas of Iris' world, being flung from one vignette to another in rapid succession. A life disrupted by catastrophic events that we can only see reach their inevitable conclusions.
"To converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; interchange thoughts or feelings."
From the very beginning, you are invited to participate in this world through words that you don't appreciate or understand. They are familiar but ethereal. Lacking context to put them into perspective. You latch onto their ideas and soon find them repeated back at you. The selected words stayed with Watcher. And myself. Never choosing to deviate, despite given ample opportunity. The world just impresses upon you so confidently its pieces and your place that it is easy to become these characters and feel the words evolve despite never changing.
You are not simply walking or reading or watching. You are building. Watcher and yourself are building a frame of reference, an understanding or this world. How did this place come to be and why are the people and ideas in it as they are? You are building a point of view. Speaking with the inhabitants is enthralling because of how narrow a space they exist within, boiling their lives down to a function, but how broad they are within that sliver through such rich shades of performance and personality. Building an outcome through choices that feel like your own, but upon reflection, were unavoidable steps in the progress of its story. It certainly doesn't feel that way in the moment, and that is one of its greatest accomplishments in making you want those actions.
And those actions are radical change to upend the status quo and create a better world that protects and values the lives of the people. To choose forgiveness and give it, despite being incredibly difficult. To right the wrongs by your own hand and those that were inherited from those long before you in the world.
The function of all sisters appears straight forward, but the function of Watcher is out of place. Were the intended purpose of Watcher at face value to simply observe Iris/ALLMOTHER's past, that could suffice through Knower. The crucial difference between knowing and watching is the experience. Knowing something and being there to live it are vastly different, and this experience is what pushes Watcher and us to need things to change. It is all too easy to passively hear statistics of atrocities or read a headline of suffering in the world, but when faced with the inescapable truth of pain, you should no longer be able to compartmentalize it.
We're all thankful to have been Watcher, but we all wish to be Blue.
"To cause to combine or coalesce; unite."
Trauma has devastated the world in so many ways. It has shaped the behaviors of those we hold dear, removing so much from them. Deleted cultures, foods, identities. We should not allow these to continue unabated. We can and should try to do better, for those directly affected and future generations. Like Iris' parents conclude- better to have failed and history show that we tried than to have idly allow it to happen.
Empathy builds action, and action builds empathy.
It is truly incredible how the buried memories of Hong Kong land. Nothing of true significance, just daily life and textures. A car ride, watching lights roll by from a window. It pierces deeply how fragile and fleeting it all can be. There is a reason the final object we leave behind is that of an image. We can't just watch and not be affected.
"1000xRESIST" is a call to action to never stop building our perspectives through the people and world around us and to never stop building toward a better tomorrow. Here is hoping that I and we can live up to that challenge.
hair to hair
In its first week, 1000xResist has received near unanimous praise for its story. I am not one of those people. I wanted to make clear what this is on the surface as a caveat for those sucked in by hype but aren’t primed for this sort of experience, which at points was the only thing keeping me going (besides the fantastic somber music).
The prose often consists of punchy psuedo-poetic labyrinthine conversations. I’d say Disco Elysium has poisoned the well here in terms of how its influence has conditioned gamers to treat cryptic rambling as the gold standard for writing in games. I think there was a finesse to the writing in Disco Elysium that made me believe in it regardless of my inability to latch onto it emotionally or intellectually but I must say I tend to feel dead inside by its imitators. This applies to the work of Hideo Kojima and Yoko Taro as well, whose work is similarly convoluted, but have a playfulness about them I find intoxicating regardless. 1000xResist takes itself far too seriously to develop much of a personality of its own, which leads me to a compounding issue here- the clones.
I think using clones is an excellent idea for a more budgeted title like this (fewer voice actors, fewer models) but it’s detrimental to understanding a complicated story when its singular voice actor is talking to herself in limited shades of aloof and tired. It’s a great gear to be stuck in for a sci-fi story I guess but the emotional range is lacking and the supporting voice talent isn’t doing nearly enough to inject the story with much flavour. Differentiation is needed in a narrative with so many twists and turns- because they were all technically the same people, emotionally I treated them as such. I didn’t care. I didn’t understand the stakes. My plot comprehension is pretty poor on the whole, so calling me out on that is fair, but the acting and writing is actively undermining clarity and I do see that as an underlying flaw.
The gameplay is fine. I like relaxing story-driven games without combat. But let’s talk about its derivative elements. If you’ve played your fair share of games in the past 10 years you’re probably well-acquainted with “vision quest” segments that place you in a hazy psychedelic space with oversized familiar objects untethered by gravity as symbolic waypoints for the fractured psychology of a character’s emotional distress. I am unbelievably tired of this trope, and 1000xResist makes an entire mechanic out of it. TBH it actually pissed me off less in this case just because of its commitment to the bit, but when trying to understand the story in tandem with its other quirks, there’s just layers and layers of inception here I don’t care to sift through.
Again- just my caveats! If you’re predisposed to enjoying these kinds of bendy sci-fi stories, I’m happy you’ll get a lot out of this. Not for me. To give it marginal credit, the prose itself never got anywhere near as bad as the “dumpster Jiao” line in chapter one. There is an overall maturity here I do appreciate despite my objections.
The prose often consists of punchy psuedo-poetic labyrinthine conversations. I’d say Disco Elysium has poisoned the well here in terms of how its influence has conditioned gamers to treat cryptic rambling as the gold standard for writing in games. I think there was a finesse to the writing in Disco Elysium that made me believe in it regardless of my inability to latch onto it emotionally or intellectually but I must say I tend to feel dead inside by its imitators. This applies to the work of Hideo Kojima and Yoko Taro as well, whose work is similarly convoluted, but have a playfulness about them I find intoxicating regardless. 1000xResist takes itself far too seriously to develop much of a personality of its own, which leads me to a compounding issue here- the clones.
I think using clones is an excellent idea for a more budgeted title like this (fewer voice actors, fewer models) but it’s detrimental to understanding a complicated story when its singular voice actor is talking to herself in limited shades of aloof and tired. It’s a great gear to be stuck in for a sci-fi story I guess but the emotional range is lacking and the supporting voice talent isn’t doing nearly enough to inject the story with much flavour. Differentiation is needed in a narrative with so many twists and turns- because they were all technically the same people, emotionally I treated them as such. I didn’t care. I didn’t understand the stakes. My plot comprehension is pretty poor on the whole, so calling me out on that is fair, but the acting and writing is actively undermining clarity and I do see that as an underlying flaw.
The gameplay is fine. I like relaxing story-driven games without combat. But let’s talk about its derivative elements. If you’ve played your fair share of games in the past 10 years you’re probably well-acquainted with “vision quest” segments that place you in a hazy psychedelic space with oversized familiar objects untethered by gravity as symbolic waypoints for the fractured psychology of a character’s emotional distress. I am unbelievably tired of this trope, and 1000xResist makes an entire mechanic out of it. TBH it actually pissed me off less in this case just because of its commitment to the bit, but when trying to understand the story in tandem with its other quirks, there’s just layers and layers of inception here I don’t care to sift through.
Again- just my caveats! If you’re predisposed to enjoying these kinds of bendy sci-fi stories, I’m happy you’ll get a lot out of this. Not for me. To give it marginal credit, the prose itself never got anywhere near as bad as the “dumpster Jiao” line in chapter one. There is an overall maturity here I do appreciate despite my objections.
A fascinating, compelling, thrilling dive into a niche subject I'm entirely too white for.
This is a story about Hong Kong and its revolutions, a story about diasporas and perpetuated cycles of violence arising from not being able to fit in. A story creating your personal hell, a story about being unable to forget and forgive. A story about a wound that hasn't been even allowed to scab. A story about having to learn to live with the mistakes you've made.
The game is built out of micro- and macrocosmic representations of the relationship between HK and China and the consequences of them. Iris and Jiao, Orchard and Old Town, a certain couple of characters in the last chapters, the way this little broken society functions and perpetuates -- everything that the game has to show and say cannot reasonably be discussed without also discussing that.
It's really not subtle about it either, at some point the imagery of 2019 protests is entirely in your face; which also makes the game fascinating, since rarely you see a videogame that processes and reflects on events so recent.
However that might make the game somewhat tough to truly resonate with. My general knowledge of Hong Kong protests is limited; before playing this game I didn't even know about the Umbrella Revolution of 2014, and I have only cursory knowledge of major events surrounding it, so actually piecing certain events together required talking to more knowledgeable people and those who actually lived in Hong Kong.
I think the game doesn't do that good of a job of actually connecting its past with its present for audience that is not already intimately familiar with the matter; the imagery is in your face but often enough contextless, leaving the outsiders either to do the research on the matter on their own, try to ground themselves in some other recent conflict (as some do with certain events in the middle east) or, as many do, disregard the imagery outright as something that doesn't interest them. Ultimately, though, I've heard people who are connected to the matter at hand praise the angle this game takes on HK diaspora and how it's weaved into the narrative, so maybe it does do a good job for those it's aimed for.
And yet even if you're Unaware, an attempt should be made.
Dismissing this aspect of the game outright, as some are wont to do, is simply reductive and deeply disrespectful.
While interacting with the game without interacting with its cultural message is entirely possible -- it's a striking, vibrant, compelling narrative in its own right which gives a lot to think about and which can easily be talked about in the lens of its many obvious influences -- one must not dismiss the game's roots.
As a Game™ that is interactable piece of media it's nothing much; there aren't many verbs to it other than Walking and Reading, with a tinge of Flying since the game has bizarre segments which feel like the last chapter of Neon White on sedatives. The meaning of those still eludes me lol they're just not very good.
Yet it's insanely striking visually. Sure, the character models don't really have Fidelity™, but the very distinct atmosphere, choices of colors, choices of camera angles are an unforgettable, deeply enthralling complement to the game's narrative.
The soundtrack also deserves a mention; while it doesn't have many outliers, it fits the mood nicely and has a good leitmotif going throughout the game.
This is a story about Hong Kong and its revolutions, a story about diasporas and perpetuated cycles of violence arising from not being able to fit in. A story creating your personal hell, a story about being unable to forget and forgive. A story about a wound that hasn't been even allowed to scab. A story about having to learn to live with the mistakes you've made.
The game is built out of micro- and macrocosmic representations of the relationship between HK and China and the consequences of them. Iris and Jiao, Orchard and Old Town, a certain couple of characters in the last chapters, the way this little broken society functions and perpetuates -- everything that the game has to show and say cannot reasonably be discussed without also discussing that.
It's really not subtle about it either, at some point the imagery of 2019 protests is entirely in your face; which also makes the game fascinating, since rarely you see a videogame that processes and reflects on events so recent.
However that might make the game somewhat tough to truly resonate with. My general knowledge of Hong Kong protests is limited; before playing this game I didn't even know about the Umbrella Revolution of 2014, and I have only cursory knowledge of major events surrounding it, so actually piecing certain events together required talking to more knowledgeable people and those who actually lived in Hong Kong.
I think the game doesn't do that good of a job of actually connecting its past with its present for audience that is not already intimately familiar with the matter; the imagery is in your face but often enough contextless, leaving the outsiders either to do the research on the matter on their own, try to ground themselves in some other recent conflict (as some do with certain events in the middle east) or, as many do, disregard the imagery outright as something that doesn't interest them. Ultimately, though, I've heard people who are connected to the matter at hand praise the angle this game takes on HK diaspora and how it's weaved into the narrative, so maybe it does do a good job for those it's aimed for.
And yet even if you're Unaware, an attempt should be made.
Dismissing this aspect of the game outright, as some are wont to do, is simply reductive and deeply disrespectful.
While interacting with the game without interacting with its cultural message is entirely possible -- it's a striking, vibrant, compelling narrative in its own right which gives a lot to think about and which can easily be talked about in the lens of its many obvious influences -- one must not dismiss the game's roots.
As a Game™ that is interactable piece of media it's nothing much; there aren't many verbs to it other than Walking and Reading, with a tinge of Flying since the game has bizarre segments which feel like the last chapter of Neon White on sedatives. The meaning of those still eludes me lol they're just not very good.
Yet it's insanely striking visually. Sure, the character models don't really have Fidelity™, but the very distinct atmosphere, choices of colors, choices of camera angles are an unforgettable, deeply enthralling complement to the game's narrative.
The soundtrack also deserves a mention; while it doesn't have many outliers, it fits the mood nicely and has a good leitmotif going throughout the game.
i'm not exaggerating when i say this is one of the most incredible games i've had the pleasure of playing. everything about this game is so carefully crafted and unapologetic about its style and sentimentality. the cinematic shot compositions and camera work are peak -- every cutscene frame could be a painting made for a wong kar-wai animated sci-fi film.
without digging into spoilers, the wide breadth of themes present in the narrative (anti-asian racism, experience of the asian diaspora , historical revisionism, intergenerational trauma, cycles of abuse and violence, motherhood and girlhood, etc etc) are covered with such thought-provoking depth and care. the writing is so succinct and sharp -- cutting straight to the emotional core that perfectly balances tragedy and the grief that follows with hope and levity in the connections we make within our relationships. it never feels pretentious or preachy -- it's honest. it perfectly captures both the beauty and cruelty of what it means to be alive.
genuinely a game i will think about forever... i never write reviews and i don't think i'll make a habit of doing so, but i felt the need to write something short because i genuinely think this is a masterful portrayal of storytelling in games....thank you to the devs who worked on this game <3
without digging into spoilers, the wide breadth of themes present in the narrative (anti-asian racism, experience of the asian diaspora , historical revisionism, intergenerational trauma, cycles of abuse and violence, motherhood and girlhood, etc etc) are covered with such thought-provoking depth and care. the writing is so succinct and sharp -- cutting straight to the emotional core that perfectly balances tragedy and the grief that follows with hope and levity in the connections we make within our relationships. it never feels pretentious or preachy -- it's honest. it perfectly captures both the beauty and cruelty of what it means to be alive.
genuinely a game i will think about forever... i never write reviews and i don't think i'll make a habit of doing so, but i felt the need to write something short because i genuinely think this is a masterful portrayal of storytelling in games....thank you to the devs who worked on this game <3
There's a common criticism of games as a medium that even their best narratives lack something in comparison to those of books, movies, etc. And while games are what I love, from a narrative perspective I have found that framing hard to disagree with. There are several games that have changed my life, but they are so often unsophisticated in their meaning-making. They are frequently blunt in their delivery and single-purposed, perhaps because it is so difficult to do all of the creative mediums at once and tell a story with interactivity. I love games because of that ambition, and yet...
I think 1000xResist actually defies that notion. And I don't mean to say that as if everyone who plays this will have their life changed forever or whatever, but it IS one of the most thought-stirring games I've ever played. It is utterly overflowing in meaning. It is not impressive merely "because it is a video game," or because of clever interactions that "could only happen in a game," yet all the while it makes shrewd use of its interactivity. It's the kind of narrative where truly nothing is without purpose, and I spent its entire runtime learning how to reinterpret past scenes, adding layers to the meaning that I had already derrived.
I'm afraid all of that is going to come across like I'm just dumping hyperbole on it without getting specific. It is sort of a challenge to articulate what it speaks to, because there truly is so much: it speaks to the experience of COVID-19, of the tension between immigrant parents and their children, of fitting in, of finding one's purpose, of generational trauma, of mental health, and so much more.
"But isn't this just the way? We do not get to choose what we inherit."
I think 1000xResist actually defies that notion. And I don't mean to say that as if everyone who plays this will have their life changed forever or whatever, but it IS one of the most thought-stirring games I've ever played. It is utterly overflowing in meaning. It is not impressive merely "because it is a video game," or because of clever interactions that "could only happen in a game," yet all the while it makes shrewd use of its interactivity. It's the kind of narrative where truly nothing is without purpose, and I spent its entire runtime learning how to reinterpret past scenes, adding layers to the meaning that I had already derrived.
I'm afraid all of that is going to come across like I'm just dumping hyperbole on it without getting specific. It is sort of a challenge to articulate what it speaks to, because there truly is so much: it speaks to the experience of COVID-19, of the tension between immigrant parents and their children, of fitting in, of finding one's purpose, of generational trauma, of mental health, and so much more.
"But isn't this just the way? We do not get to choose what we inherit."
Robert Altman's 3000xWOMEN
Some amazing use of cinematography and jumps cuts, clearly made with a lot of passion for both video games and films. Smart resources allocation make this game feel like a grand odyssey despite the small budget/team, the developers get so much mileage out "basic shapes" or "static poses". You rarely see games with such a well-defined vision, totally its own, like a one of a kind punch to the stomach (in a good way).
Some amazing use of cinematography and jumps cuts, clearly made with a lot of passion for both video games and films. Smart resources allocation make this game feel like a grand odyssey despite the small budget/team, the developers get so much mileage out "basic shapes" or "static poses". You rarely see games with such a well-defined vision, totally its own, like a one of a kind punch to the stomach (in a good way).
I see other people listing 'Hong Kong stuff' as a con, but for me it's one of the main reasons this game is so special. Not every video game should be shy and abstract.
Sometimes, you can't fit in the backpack.
I need to start this review by making clear that this is kind of barely a game. It's essentially a visual novel where you move your character in 3D space sometimes, with some light puzzles. That being said I do think that the 3D environments add to the game's sense of place and atmosphere. Anyway.
1000xResist is a story about a society of clones in the distant future, and their relationship with their creator/original, ALLMOTHER. We play as Watcher, a clone who is granted the unique ability to partake in communion, in which she experiences the memories of ALLMOTHER's life and the early history of their society.
The game presents an extremely textured look at the religion of this far-future society. Much effort was put into the way each character speaks, and you can really hear the nuances of each of their own versions of their faith in the way they speak. As the story goes on, the game becomes an examination of faith and tradition as generational trauma, and an extremely effective one at that.
1000xResist is a story about a society of clones in the distant future, and their relationship with their creator/original, ALLMOTHER. We play as Watcher, a clone who is granted the unique ability to partake in communion, in which she experiences the memories of ALLMOTHER's life and the early history of their society.
The game presents an extremely textured look at the religion of this far-future society. Much effort was put into the way each character speaks, and you can really hear the nuances of each of their own versions of their faith in the way they speak. As the story goes on, the game becomes an examination of faith and tradition as generational trauma, and an extremely effective one at that.
"I won't kill myself"
"Hekki Grace, Sister."
Quase todo ano tem pelo menos um jogo que me faz lembrar do porque eu amo vídeo-joguinhos, eu sei que essa é uma frase jogada quase o tempo todo por gente que está sempre falando "a indústria está morta, não há mais jogos bons" mas não tem uma melhor para descrever como eu me sinto nesse momento. Em adição a isso também me faz lembrar do quanto eu quero criar experiências como 1000xResist ou Signalis, arte que mesmo com suas limitações utiliza sua mídia ao máximo para quebrar suas expectativas de novo e de novo.
"Hair to Hair, Sister."
Há muito a se falar sobre 1000xResist, o seu texto, simbolismos e personagens são tão ricos e com tantos significados diferentes que eu poderia ficar por horas discutindo sobre, sobre os protestos de Hong Kong principalmente, mas sinto que quanto menos quem for jogar saber mais interessante vai ser a experiência. Uma das coisas mais curiosas desse jogo para mim é como ele parece uma peça de teatro, o uso de luz, poses e exageros para comunicar emoções de formas diferentes por toda a campanha; já que o jogo é basicamente um talking simulator com alguns simples e fáceis puzzles (não há combate) toda a diversidade vem dos visuais e em diferentes mudanças na forma em que a narrativa é contada, e em todos esses momentos a criatividade/expertise dos desenvolvedores são EVIDENTES.
(Os desenvolvedores aparentemente trabalharam com teatro e similares, faz sentido)
Eu demorei um pouco mais de 10 horas para zerar 1000xResist e é surpreendente que um jogo independente com tanto texto e diferentes personagens está completamente atuado, e ainda mais surpreendente: com incríveis atuações no geral.
A parte mais fraca de 1000xResist é na sua fidelidade gráfica, é aparente que o jogo foi desenvolvido para Nintendo Switch e o port para PC possuí diversos problemas com mudança de controles, performance e falta de customização (que provavelmente é a causa de tais problemas de performance), mas nada disso tirou a beleza teatral do jogo para mim.
"Sphere to Square"
Eu não sei se este jogo terá o mesmo Cult-Following que Signalis e outros similares tiveram ao passar dos anos, já que apesar de tudo que eu disse ainda é praticamente uma visual novel e nem todo mundo curte isso, mas se você já tinha algum interesse ou tem gostos para arte similares aos meus, por favor jogue 1000xResist, vai te chocar, vai te fazer chorar, vai te fazer rir, vai te assustar, e mais importante de tudo: Te lembrará que não conseguimos colocar tudo em nossas mochilas, por mais que queremos.
1000xResist é meu jogo do ano até o momento e acho difícil algo tirar, mas vai que o Miyazaki cozinhou um The Old Hunters² ai, nunca se sabe.
Quase todo ano tem pelo menos um jogo que me faz lembrar do porque eu amo vídeo-joguinhos, eu sei que essa é uma frase jogada quase o tempo todo por gente que está sempre falando "a indústria está morta, não há mais jogos bons" mas não tem uma melhor para descrever como eu me sinto nesse momento. Em adição a isso também me faz lembrar do quanto eu quero criar experiências como 1000xResist ou Signalis, arte que mesmo com suas limitações utiliza sua mídia ao máximo para quebrar suas expectativas de novo e de novo.
"Hair to Hair, Sister."
Há muito a se falar sobre 1000xResist, o seu texto, simbolismos e personagens são tão ricos e com tantos significados diferentes que eu poderia ficar por horas discutindo sobre, sobre os protestos de Hong Kong principalmente, mas sinto que quanto menos quem for jogar saber mais interessante vai ser a experiência. Uma das coisas mais curiosas desse jogo para mim é como ele parece uma peça de teatro, o uso de luz, poses e exageros para comunicar emoções de formas diferentes por toda a campanha; já que o jogo é basicamente um talking simulator com alguns simples e fáceis puzzles (não há combate) toda a diversidade vem dos visuais e em diferentes mudanças na forma em que a narrativa é contada, e em todos esses momentos a criatividade/expertise dos desenvolvedores são EVIDENTES.
(Os desenvolvedores aparentemente trabalharam com teatro e similares, faz sentido)
Eu demorei um pouco mais de 10 horas para zerar 1000xResist e é surpreendente que um jogo independente com tanto texto e diferentes personagens está completamente atuado, e ainda mais surpreendente: com incríveis atuações no geral.
A parte mais fraca de 1000xResist é na sua fidelidade gráfica, é aparente que o jogo foi desenvolvido para Nintendo Switch e o port para PC possuí diversos problemas com mudança de controles, performance e falta de customização (que provavelmente é a causa de tais problemas de performance), mas nada disso tirou a beleza teatral do jogo para mim.
"Sphere to Square"
Eu não sei se este jogo terá o mesmo Cult-Following que Signalis e outros similares tiveram ao passar dos anos, já que apesar de tudo que eu disse ainda é praticamente uma visual novel e nem todo mundo curte isso, mas se você já tinha algum interesse ou tem gostos para arte similares aos meus, por favor jogue 1000xResist, vai te chocar, vai te fazer chorar, vai te fazer rir, vai te assustar, e mais importante de tudo: Te lembrará que não conseguimos colocar tudo em nossas mochilas, por mais que queremos.
1000xResist é meu jogo do ano até o momento e acho difícil algo tirar, mas vai que o Miyazaki cozinhou um The Old Hunters² ai, nunca se sabe.
1000XResist is so skillfully recursive, it folds back on itself so effortlessly, it wrenches your heart out and soaks you in addictive melodrama.
There is a core within the core of this game here. Some of the most on the nose stuff, the relation to the Hong Kong protests, I don't care about and wasn't moved to care for. I thought some of the allusions there were inelegant. I have other raw feelings on this but they're unimportant, the point is that despite not really feeling anything for the game's big metaphor and not being really convinced that I should care, it didn't matter.
1000xResist is such an accomplished angsty brood that any clumsiness can be easily forgiven. It takes on all questions, all comers, and leave them wondering what they've been doing with their lives. It is utterly confident in its voice and as powerful a game narrative as I've ever experienced.
Gonna be hard to go back to Stellar Blade after this.
There is a core within the core of this game here. Some of the most on the nose stuff, the relation to the Hong Kong protests, I don't care about and wasn't moved to care for. I thought some of the allusions there were inelegant. I have other raw feelings on this but they're unimportant, the point is that despite not really feeling anything for the game's big metaphor and not being really convinced that I should care, it didn't matter.
1000xResist is such an accomplished angsty brood that any clumsiness can be easily forgiven. It takes on all questions, all comers, and leave them wondering what they've been doing with their lives. It is utterly confident in its voice and as powerful a game narrative as I've ever experienced.
Gonna be hard to go back to Stellar Blade after this.
An ambitious and provoking narrative spanning across many generations.
1000xResist, Sunset Visitor's debut work, is undoubtedly one of my favorite releases of the year. Gameplay-wise, it's mostly a walking simulator with light puzzles, but with some excellent direction, it effectively portrays what it wants at various points. Chapter 2 is a clear example of such display by switching to a different gameplay perspective and utilizing more non-linear memory sequences. Each chapter has a distinct feel to it when it comes to its gameplay/art direction. It does look really low budget at many points, with some amateurish voice work. But I loved the style, vision, and methods the developers worked with in order to capture the game.
The game and its themes centering around the 2019 Hong Kong protests, immigration, COVID-19 pandemic, etc. are very prominent. I'm not well-versed with some of the matters the game links itself to, but I believe everything is incredibly weaved into the story and is properly handled. The allusions can be a bit on the nose at times. However, they're still so powerfully portrayed that I don't really have a problem with it. Even if you aren't familiar with what I've described, I'd still recommend to play it even if you slightly understand these problems more afterwards.
Aside from all this, the game has an intriguing mystery to follow with constantly shifting situations and a great cast to boot. There's a great mystique to the game, with every twist and turn pulling you in. The cast of humans and sisters change greatly over the course of the game (or rather unfold), whether it be for better or for worse. There's a lot going on for this game as it focuses on forgiveness, trauma, and so much more to look into.
Other aspects of the game I loved:
In the short time that I spent with them, I enjoyed some of the minor characters. There were some pretty fun interactions and dialogues.
Though the voicework is not consistently good as stated earlier, there were still some fantastic parts.
1000xResist, Sunset Visitor's debut work, is undoubtedly one of my favorite releases of the year. Gameplay-wise, it's mostly a walking simulator with light puzzles, but with some excellent direction, it effectively portrays what it wants at various points. Chapter 2 is a clear example of such display by switching to a different gameplay perspective and utilizing more non-linear memory sequences. Each chapter has a distinct feel to it when it comes to its gameplay/art direction. It does look really low budget at many points, with some amateurish voice work. But I loved the style, vision, and methods the developers worked with in order to capture the game.
The game and its themes centering around the 2019 Hong Kong protests, immigration, COVID-19 pandemic, etc. are very prominent. I'm not well-versed with some of the matters the game links itself to, but I believe everything is incredibly weaved into the story and is properly handled. The allusions can be a bit on the nose at times. However, they're still so powerfully portrayed that I don't really have a problem with it. Even if you aren't familiar with what I've described, I'd still recommend to play it even if you slightly understand these problems more afterwards.
Aside from all this, the game has an intriguing mystery to follow with constantly shifting situations and a great cast to boot. There's a great mystique to the game, with every twist and turn pulling you in. The cast of humans and sisters change greatly over the course of the game (or rather unfold), whether it be for better or for worse. There's a lot going on for this game as it focuses on forgiveness, trauma, and so much more to look into.
Other aspects of the game I loved:
In the short time that I spent with them, I enjoyed some of the minor characters. There were some pretty fun interactions and dialogues.
Though the voicework is not consistently good as stated earlier, there were still some fantastic parts.
There were a few times where I was sure the game was going to end, and it didn't - and it was a much more interesting game for continuing.
I don't think I've played a game of this scale that was this specific and personal before. Because of that, in a way, it felt like it held me at arm's length. There was a distance. But it still held me.
I don't think I've played a game of this scale that was this specific and personal before. Because of that, in a way, it felt like it held me at arm's length. There was a distance. But it still held me.
This review contains spoilers
from mother, to Clara. from Clara, to Iris. from Iris, to Youngest. from Youngest, to Watcher. from Watcher, to Blue. from Blue, an ending, a future. it may take forever, but nothing can last that long. bearing a burden is not enough, you need to forgive, and exist in a time where you can be forgiven.
A truly amazing video game narrative that should not go ignored by anyone who is a fan of story-driven titles. The dialogue and the characters are so skillfully done. I don't want to reveal anything, but the game's story is so ambitious and daunting in scale and it somehow pulls it off. It's a game about SO many things and it somehow doesn't lose itself in that abundance of plotlines and concepts.
There were many times where I thought I had 1000xResist figured out, and it continued to prove me wrong and surprise me. Every time I thought I saw all that this game had to offer, it one-upped itself and just progressively rose further and further up the ranks as one of the most engaging and unique game narratives I've seen.
Obviously, as a narrative-driven game, it's the story that's the crown jewel here but it also has excellent art direction. The graphics and animation are nothing to ride home about, but the framing of scenes and how the camera can be utilized makes so many moments feel dynamic and carefully thought out. It's so well achieved that the many setbacks, like the lack of lip movement on characters, or the fact that there's not much animation at all in scenes - especially intense ones - doesn't feel like it takes away from the impact. It compliments the artistry in a way, whether intentional or not.
Talking about impact, another huge factor of what makes 1000xResist amazing is the voice acting. I was impressed by many of the performances in this game, not to mention that every line in this games script is voiced. Considering how much dialogue there is, and the indie nature of the title, that's an incredible achievement. There were a FEW odd deliveries, in my opinion, and some characters that I wasn't super keen on the performances of, but it's overall pretty excellent work.
Oh man, and THE SOUNDTRACK! A game without a beautiful OST is a crime in my eyes and I really liked what was composed for 1000xResist. With how many perspectives and layers there are to the game, it's so fitting that the music befits that as well. There's tracks that are moody, solemn piano pieces and then there are some exciting synthwave-y tracks. It's not super in-your-face like how many video game OSTs can be, but it's just as much part of the genetic makeup of this game as every other aspect.
I don't have many qualms with this game EXCEPT the Orchard. It's a neat hub area, but I found it sort of tricky to get around. The waypoint system's a bit odd and sometimes I ran around in circles just trying to find the right pathway to get somewhere. A map would have been handy getting better accustomed to it because, for the life of me, I struggled with this my entire playthrough.
Other than that, this game is amazing and I will be there day one to see whatever else the team at Sunset Visitor does next.
There were many times where I thought I had 1000xResist figured out, and it continued to prove me wrong and surprise me. Every time I thought I saw all that this game had to offer, it one-upped itself and just progressively rose further and further up the ranks as one of the most engaging and unique game narratives I've seen.
Obviously, as a narrative-driven game, it's the story that's the crown jewel here but it also has excellent art direction. The graphics and animation are nothing to ride home about, but the framing of scenes and how the camera can be utilized makes so many moments feel dynamic and carefully thought out. It's so well achieved that the many setbacks, like the lack of lip movement on characters, or the fact that there's not much animation at all in scenes - especially intense ones - doesn't feel like it takes away from the impact. It compliments the artistry in a way, whether intentional or not.
Talking about impact, another huge factor of what makes 1000xResist amazing is the voice acting. I was impressed by many of the performances in this game, not to mention that every line in this games script is voiced. Considering how much dialogue there is, and the indie nature of the title, that's an incredible achievement. There were a FEW odd deliveries, in my opinion, and some characters that I wasn't super keen on the performances of, but it's overall pretty excellent work.
Oh man, and THE SOUNDTRACK! A game without a beautiful OST is a crime in my eyes and I really liked what was composed for 1000xResist. With how many perspectives and layers there are to the game, it's so fitting that the music befits that as well. There's tracks that are moody, solemn piano pieces and then there are some exciting synthwave-y tracks. It's not super in-your-face like how many video game OSTs can be, but it's just as much part of the genetic makeup of this game as every other aspect.
I don't have many qualms with this game EXCEPT the Orchard. It's a neat hub area, but I found it sort of tricky to get around. The waypoint system's a bit odd and sometimes I ran around in circles just trying to find the right pathway to get somewhere. A map would have been handy getting better accustomed to it because, for the life of me, I struggled with this my entire playthrough.
Other than that, this game is amazing and I will be there day one to see whatever else the team at Sunset Visitor does next.
game made me cry over an unnamed side character that i didnt know i cared about 10/10
Holy fuck
Hoooooly fuck
This might just be one of the best games of all time. Such beautiful writing.
Hoooooly fuck
This might just be one of the best games of all time. Such beautiful writing.
incredible & inspiring game...
more thoughts here: https://cohost.org/kuraine/post/5995344-1000x-resist
more thoughts here: https://cohost.org/kuraine/post/5995344-1000x-resist
the most i've loved a game's story since Heaven Will Be Mine.
Absolutely floored. 1000xResist is one of my favorite games in years and quite possibly my Game of The Year for 2024!
Without question, it is the story that shines here. In terms of gameplay, it's a pretty straightforward walking sim with some light dialogue choice systems and a bit of Adventure game dna. That story though?
1000xResist is a scifi narrative game that explores themes of Pandemic, authoritarianism, and the Hong Kong protests. Its world, shaped by the last living human -- a teenage girl -- and her many clones is bleak and uncomfortable. There is a sense of artifice to everything, because their world has no opportunity for anything else. Everything is fake, everything is a lie, and you the Watcher, the one person in the world who gets to know the truth.
The magic of this story is in the execution; every layer and twisting thread is handled perfectly. Far better than I would have dared hope for, and boldly enough to nourish a need that I've had for years.
If you are someone who doesn't mind a walking sim, and if that story description above interests you at all, you MUST play this game.
Without question, it is the story that shines here. In terms of gameplay, it's a pretty straightforward walking sim with some light dialogue choice systems and a bit of Adventure game dna. That story though?
1000xResist is a scifi narrative game that explores themes of Pandemic, authoritarianism, and the Hong Kong protests. Its world, shaped by the last living human -- a teenage girl -- and her many clones is bleak and uncomfortable. There is a sense of artifice to everything, because their world has no opportunity for anything else. Everything is fake, everything is a lie, and you the Watcher, the one person in the world who gets to know the truth.
The magic of this story is in the execution; every layer and twisting thread is handled perfectly. Far better than I would have dared hope for, and boldly enough to nourish a need that I've had for years.
If you are someone who doesn't mind a walking sim, and if that story description above interests you at all, you MUST play this game.
"She believed so deeply that this was how to reclaim the dignity we lost."
cried hard at a certain segment and i wasn't even the intended audience. game has some of the best writing and setpiece composition ever, go play it.
damn. didn't really expect that right after Land of the Lustrous (a singular manga and one of my all-time favorites) ended, an indie game would pop up operating on the same level, about many of the same themes, in its own incredible and singular way. a bit speechless. also very validating proof that we can (and should) demand more of games on a narrative level.
really struggling with star reviews. i used star reviews on letterboxd for a few years before opting for heart/no heart which is also troubled but in general feels better. happy to have another crack at it but it feels weird to not give this 5 stars, but i will stand by how i'm doing things for now at least... (5 stars being the all time top of the top of the top, which this also might be! need to sit on it for a minute)
edit: hell yeah 5 stars lets go, goty 2024
really struggling with star reviews. i used star reviews on letterboxd for a few years before opting for heart/no heart which is also troubled but in general feels better. happy to have another crack at it but it feels weird to not give this 5 stars, but i will stand by how i'm doing things for now at least... (5 stars being the all time top of the top of the top, which this also might be! need to sit on it for a minute)
edit: hell yeah 5 stars lets go, goty 2024
My story-driven gamers your going to love this one you NEED to play it.
I don't know where to begin with this title I cannot articulate the level at which this game achieves because it is something above a masterwork but I must press on.
The music is wonderful. The characters are so complex with a lot of depth and the relationship dynamics on display is just gut-wrenching to the point it hurts. Don't let the graphics dissuade your interest because the art direction is so fucking spectacular you'll be surprised with how gorgeous this game can be. The character design is important for a game like this you know if you know or you'll find out hopefully. The designs are very distinct with the outfits and color. The use of color is used in ways I'm just so enthralled by with how little and how much they can me. The VAs really do an amazing job of giving these characters a voice and more.
Red to Blue, Mother.
I don't know where to begin with this title I cannot articulate the level at which this game achieves because it is something above a masterwork but I must press on.
The music is wonderful. The characters are so complex with a lot of depth and the relationship dynamics on display is just gut-wrenching to the point it hurts. Don't let the graphics dissuade your interest because the art direction is so fucking spectacular you'll be surprised with how gorgeous this game can be. The character design is important for a game like this you know if you know or you'll find out hopefully. The designs are very distinct with the outfits and color. The use of color is used in ways I'm just so enthralled by with how little and how much they can me. The VAs really do an amazing job of giving these characters a voice and more.
Red to Blue, Mother.