This game is beautiful, and the premise is unique. The voice acting is spectacular! The devs definitely put a lot of work into this game, and it (mostly) shows.

I do feel bad for giving it a "negative" review. I wish there was an option between yes and no, because I am torn about how to feel with this game. This game is really great in many ways, and I look forward to seeing more Campo Santo creations, no doubt. There is lots of potential! Unfortunately...

The reason why I have to give it a thumbs down... the plot, to me, is a huge letdown. There is so much suspense built up that I expected a much more intriguing and satisfying ending. Ideas like the missing teenage girls, D's overheard phone call near the start, being stalked, the whole thing being 'in your head' are just completely blown off, and instead you get lame, boring explanations and a lackluster ending. It almost feels like the writers didn't know what to do with all the tension they were able to create, and just gave up.

There are other problems with the story, such as certain plotholes, the illusion of choice, some weird unexplained parts that left me confused, the many aspects that could have been so much more, etc. etc. but I won't make you read an essay. For a game that is so driven by the plot, these are big problems that can't be overlooked.

Final point, which is probably the dealbreaker. This game is normally $20, but a single playthrough lasts anywhere from 3-6 hours (took me almost 4), and there is little replay value. It's kinda reminiscient of the Gone Home fiasco. For a lot of people, that kind of thing is unacceptable. I personally wouldn't mind paying that much, IF the plot was good enough. Too bad for this game, it really doesn't live up to what it could have been.

(If they made a DLC that included many of the skipped days, where you're just doing normal park ranger things, discovering the history, and talking to D, I would be much more satisfied! wink wink nudge nudge)

This game is beautiful, and the premise is unique. The voice acting is spectacular! The devs definitely put a lot of work into this game, and it (mostly) shows. I do feel bad for giving it a "negative" review. I wish there was an option between yes and no, because I am torn about how to feel with this game. This game is really great in many ways, and I look forward to seeing more Campo Santo creations, no doubt. There is lots of potential! Unfortunately... The reason why I have to give it a thumbs down... the plot, to me, is a huge letdown. There is so much suspense built up that I expected a much more intriguing and satisfying ending. Ideas like [spoiler] the missing teenage girls, D's overheard phone call near the start, being stalked, the whole thing being 'in your head' [/spoiler] are just completely blown off, and instead you get lame, boring explanations and a lackluster ending. It almost feels like the writers didn't know what to do with all the tension they were able to create, and just gave up. There are other problems with the story, such as certain plotholes, the illusion of choice, some weird unexplained parts that left me confused, the many aspects that could have been so much more, etc. etc. but I won't make you read an essay. For a game that is so driven by the plot, these are big problems that can't be overlooked. Final point, which is probably the dealbreaker. This game is normally $20, but a single playthrough lasts anywhere from 3-6 hours (took me almost 4), and there is little replay value. It's kinda reminiscient of the Gone Home fiasco. For a lot of people, that kind of thing is unacceptable. I personally wouldn't mind paying that much, IF the plot was good enough. Too bad for this game, it really doesn't live up to what it could have been. (If they made a DLC that included many of the skipped days, where you're just doing normal park ranger things, discovering the history, and talking to D, I would be much more satisfied! wink wink nudge nudge)