Three Days to Chicago
- August 25, 2023
- Chris Schroyer
Get on Steam"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.
Reviews
- The game features beautifully written characters and dialogue, with multiple choices that allow for different story outcomes.
- It offers a unique and introspective experience, exploring themes of self-discovery and relationships in a cozy, liminal setting.
- The visuals and soundtrack are stunning, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the narrative.
- The game is relatively short, with a typical playthrough lasting around 90 minutes to 2 hours, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Some players may find the pacing too slow or the stakes too low compared to more traditional video games.
- While the game is praised for its charm, its niche appeal may not resonate with everyone, particularly those looking for more action-oriented gameplay.
- story14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The story centers on a train trip that serves as a backdrop for exploring themes of love, personal reflection, and human connection, offering players multiple narrative paths. With beautiful writing, engaging characters, and a strong emotional resonance, it invites players to experience a heartfelt journey of discovery and intimacy. The game's visual and musical elements enhance the storytelling, making it a unique and moving experience, particularly for those interested in LGBTQ themes and visual novel formats.
“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.”
“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.”
- music10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
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 it enhances the storytelling and provides an intimate escape into the game's world. Overall, the music is considered a standout element that significantly contributes to the game's emotional depth and immersive experience.
“The music is fantastic; some of the choices I had to make hit home, and some of the writing deeply resonated with me. 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 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.”
“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.”
“The soundtrack pairs well with the dialogue and sets up the relaxed and contemplative atmosphere that the setting generates.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a relaxing and contemplative ambiance, enhanced by a great soundtrack that complements the dialogue. Players appreciate the immersive experience, often lingering on screens to fully absorb the soothing melodies and the overall mood.
“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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 with players, particularly those interested in LGBTQ themes and visual novel 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.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are highly praised for their stunning visuals that effectively complement the game's narrative, particularly through beautiful imagery related to travel, such as picturesque train scenes. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the immersive experience of the game.
“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.”
