Three Days to Chicago

About

Three Days to Chicago is a single player action game with a romance theme. It was developed by Chris Schroyer and was released on August 25, 2023. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Three Days to Chicago" is a visual novel centered around Aaron, a video game artist seeking direction in life. During a train trip, he meets Paul, and they form a bond over three days, exploring their lives, hopes, and fears. The game offers a tailored narrative experience based on player choices, with multiple routes and endings, and is intended to be completed in one session, lasting 1.5-2 hours.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 41 reviews

story10 positive mentions

The game features beautiful writing, stunning visuals, and a fantastic soundtrack that creates a cozy and introspective atmosphere.
It offers a unique and relatable narrative experience, allowing players to explore different story paths and character interactions that resonate on a personal level.
The game is a short but fulfilling experience, perfect for unwinding and reflecting on personal themes of love and self-discovery.

Some players may find the short length of the game (around 2 hours) leaves them wanting more content.
The stakes of player choices are relatively low compared to traditional video games, which might not appeal to those seeking more intense gameplay.
While the game is praised for its charm, some may feel that the pacing could be too slow for their taste.

story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
53%
11%
The story is praised for its multifaceted and emotional narrative, focusing on the intimate connection between two characters during a train trip, which serves as a backdrop for themes of love, self-discovery, and personal reflection. Players appreciate the game's beautiful writing, engaging visuals, and a soundtrack that enhances the storytelling experience, making it a compelling choice for those interested in LGBTQ content and visual novel-style narratives. Overall, the game is described as a wholesome and moving journey that resonates with players on a personal level.
- “It's beautiful writing, fantastic characters, and an incredibly vibe-y soundtrack offer the perfect escape into a world where you can focus on an intimate story of discovery and, if you are open to it, love.”
- “This is a beautiful and multifaceted story about two people meeting at maybe just the right time in their lives.”
- “I just played this game and found it to be an incredibly moving story about two people meeting in the isolating environment of a multi-day train trip, told through photographs and text.”
- “The primary plot points are about taking a train trip (in a country where that is notable and considered inefficient), deciding your relationship to work, and how to approach a stranger you've just met.”
- “I just played this game and I found it to be an incredibly moving story about two people meeting in the isolating environment of a multi-day train trip, told through photographs and text.”
- “Haven't played something like this before - I appreciate how the story unfolds and the amount of control I have during the ride.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
55%
15%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a relaxed and contemplative atmosphere, perfectly complementing the narrative and character emotions. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's beautiful and vibe-y quality, noting how each cue aligns with the story's tone, enhancing the overall experience. Overall, the music is considered a standout element that contributes significantly to the game's immersive storytelling.
- “The music is fantastic; some of the choices I had to make hit home, and I'm glad I played it as I did, when I did.”
- “It's beautiful writing, fantastic characters, and an incredibly vibe-y soundtrack that offers the perfect escape into a world where you can focus on an intimate story of discovery and, if you are open to it, love.”
- “The soundtrack pairs well with the dialogue and sets up the relaxed and contemplative atmosphere that the setting generates.”
- “The actual game does not disappoint -- it is an inventive visual novel that has a distinctive visual style, compelling narrative, and tonally appropriate soundtrack that delivers exactly what was intended for its target audience.”
- “The sound and music deserve special attention.”
- “There's a bashfulness to the music when Aaron is feeling reserved, and there is a more confident tone when Aaron has found his bearings.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a relaxing and contemplative ambiance, enhanced by a great atmospheric soundtrack that complements the dialogue. Players often find themselves lingering on screens, fully immersed in the soothing melodies that contribute to the overall experience.
- “I lingered on some screens for a long time, living in the moment, listening to the great atmospheric melodies.”
- “The soundtrack pairs well with the dialogue and sets up the relaxed and contemplative atmosphere that the setting generates.”
- “The mellow atmospheric soundtrack is very relaxing.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its deeply emotional and beautifully crafted narrative, reflecting the creator's personal experiences. It offers a wholesome journey that resonates particularly well with fans of LGBTQ content and visual novel storytelling. Overall, it is celebrated for its grounded emotional depth and engaging storytelling.
- “It's clear that this game is the result of someone's lived life experiences, and it's also a surprisingly wholesome story overall.”
- “Very emotional and beautiful journey of a story.”
- “If you're interested in LGBTQ content, visual novel style narrative experiences, and grounded emotional storytelling, then you'll love Three Days to Chicago.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are highly praised for their stunning visuals that effectively complement the travel-themed narrative, featuring beautiful imagery from a train journey. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “Great story, great visuals, great pace, great music.”
- “The visuals are nice as well, connecting the story about travel to some wonderful pictures from a train.”