Until Then

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 5,399 reviews
  • story
  • emotional
  • music
Until Then Game Cover
Until Then is a story-rich adventure full of standouts: its beautiful pixel art, relatable protagonist, realistic character dynamics, and thoughtful representation of Filipino culture. It’s a coming-of-age tale worth experiencing.
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"Until Then" is a narrative-driven game that follows the story of a young woman named Ada. Players will explore Ada's memories and experiences as she reflects on her life and the choices she has made. The game features a unique art style and immersive soundtrack, creating a compelling and emotional atmosphere. Through Ada's journey, players will confront themes of love, loss, and self-discovery.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,399 reviews
story1,304 positive mentions
optimization4 negative mentions
  • The game features a beautifully crafted storyline that deeply resonates with players, exploring themes of loss, friendship, and acceptance.
  • The art style is unique and stunning, combining pixel art with 3D elements that create an immersive experience.
  • The characters are well-developed and relatable, making players feel a strong emotional connection throughout the game.
  • Some players experienced technical issues, including crashes and unresponsive controls during mini-games.
  • The pacing can feel slow at times, particularly in the early chapters, which may deter some players.
  • The game has a linear narrative structure, meaning choices do not significantly alter the outcome, which may disappoint those looking for more branching paths.
  • story2,921 mentions

    The story of "Until Then" is widely praised for its emotional depth, relatable characters, and intricate narrative that explores themes of grief, friendship, and personal growth. Players report being deeply engaged and often moved to tears by the storytelling, which is complemented by beautiful visuals and a captivating soundtrack. While some critiques mention pacing issues and a lack of impactful choices, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a powerful and memorable experience that resonates with many, particularly those familiar with Filipino culture.

    • “You really get immersed into the storyline and all the characters, and the story really keeps you on your toes, aching to know what happens next.”
    • “The story is an emotional rollercoaster that expertly weaves together themes of grief, music, love, and friendship.”
    • “This game is an absolute banger if you're into storytelling games or games that revolve heavily around storytelling, the characters, the vibes, plot twists, and the environment.”
    • “The story is very confusing as you play it, but it all comes together at the end in a manner that would make anyone cry.”
    • “The story felt so personal with some of the choices you make in the beginning that seem silly but tie together perfectly.”
    • “The story made me appreciate my current friendships more and understand the value of being open and honest with those close to me.”
  • emotional1,186 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Until Then" is overwhelmingly praised by players, who describe it as a profound and heart-wrenching experience that evokes a wide range of feelings, from joy to deep sorrow. Many reviewers report crying multiple times throughout the game, highlighting its powerful storytelling, relatable characters, and evocative soundtrack that enhance the emotional impact. The narrative's exploration of themes such as grief, love, and personal growth resonates deeply, making it a must-play for those seeking an emotionally rich gaming experience.

    • “The story is an emotional rollercoaster that expertly weaves together themes of grief, music, love, and friendship.”
    • “This game is an emotional masterpiece.”
    • “Until then is a cinematic masterpiece that made me cry multiple times.”
    • “From start to finish, it heavily leans on the OST to push your feelings in certain directions, and the OST never once lets a moment down. Where is the OST, by the way? Some of those songs have made such an emotional impact on me; I would love to be able to listen to them on streaming services.”
  • music662 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and beautiful composition, particularly highlighting the piano pieces that resonate with players. Many reviewers noted that the soundtrack enhances the storytelling, creating a powerful atmosphere that evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears during key moments. While some minor audio issues were mentioned, the overall consensus is that the music is a standout feature, making it a memorable and immersive experience.

    • “The music deserves special mention as well—it's beautifully composed and fits the mood of the game flawlessly, enhancing the overall experience without ever feeling intrusive.”
    • “The music is wonderful, perfectly conveying the emotions of the scenes, and I have to admit that on several occasions it made me cry, and the way the main OST of the game is inserted into the story is brilliant.”
    • “This game is a masterful narrative with compelling characters, beautiful art, rich music, and emotional beats that will tear at your heartstrings like no other.”
    • “The music is nothing special, except some notable parts, especially the piano parts.”
    • “There is also some audio issues that felt unpolished in many sections, mainly in towards the ending of the game where music begins to appear less and sound effects become more prominent.”
    • “The only bad thing is that sometimes the music didn't sound right, it would cut out and sound weird.”
  • graphics583 mentions

    The graphics of "Until Then" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and unique blend of 2D and 3D elements, creating a visually captivating experience that enhances the emotional depth of the story. Players appreciate the charming art style, which effectively conveys character emotions and settings, making it a standout feature of the game. Despite some minor performance issues, the overall aesthetic is described as breathtaking, with many reviewers rating the graphics a perfect 10/10.

    • “The pixel art style is nothing short of fantastic, capturing a nostalgic yet fresh feel that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are magnificent, and I loved the half 2D, half 3D style, with a very realistic treatment of light that gave a lot of depth and liveliness to each of the daily locations.”
    • “The art style and sprite work is absolutely immaculate, showing so much emotion and so much of each character's personality.”
    • “While the choices throughout only give the illusion of choice, and the graphical performance leaves something to be desired, there's a surprising amount of meat to this game.”
    • “However, while the graphics are charming, they could benefit from a bit more polish, although they fit the overall aesthetic of the game.”
    • “I feel sad that I cannot play the game because I have integrated graphics, but that's just how it goes, eh.”
  • gameplay237 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily focused on storytelling, resembling a visual novel with minimal interactive elements, such as simple navigation and occasional mini-games. While some players appreciate the variety and charm these mini-games bring, others find the overall gameplay limited and lacking depth, often describing it as more of an interactive story than a traditional game. Despite its gameplay shortcomings, many reviewers highlight the emotional impact of the narrative and the beautiful art style, making it a worthwhile experience for those who prioritize story over gameplay mechanics.

    • “The mini-games are a delightful addition that adds fun and variety to the gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay was fun; it took me a bit to get the hang of the rhythm modes as I don't have much experience in that genre, but I made do, and the mini-games sprinkled around were a lot of fun and engaging.”
    • “This game is a staple for any player wanting a visually stunning game, lovable characters, wholesome gameplay, and a storyline bound to make you cry and look at the world differently.”
    • “If you're looking for gameplay, this game is not it. There are a handful of mini-games spread throughout, but they never tell you how to play them; you just have to figure it out as you go.”
    • “The entire game is basically just a story with very, very minimal gameplay (probably less than 30 minutes total).”
    • “This game is more story-based and lacking in gameplay, being mostly a walking sim/visual novel with mini-games spliced in between.”
  • humor119 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever execution, blending funny mini-games and relatable jokes with emotional storytelling. Players appreciate the charming characters and the incorporation of Filipino culture, which adds a unique flavor to the humor. Overall, the game successfully balances lighthearted moments with deeper themes, making it both hilarious and heartwarming.

    • “You'll giggle to yourself at every funny joke.”
    • “I thought that the humor and storytelling was well executed (I laughed at almost every joke) and that the characters felt surprisingly real and relatable.”
    • “The characters are all incredibly likeable, the dialogue itself is entertaining and funny.”
  • atmosphere66 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning pixel art, immersive sound design, and emotional depth, effectively transporting players to a vibrant depiction of Filipino culture. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of visuals, music, and background sounds that enhance storytelling and evoke nostalgia, creating a captivating and relatable experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a masterpiece, with many considering it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The pixel art style is nothing short of fantastic, capturing a nostalgic yet fresh feel that perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere, the dialogue, and the emotional expression is, dare I say, a masterpiece.”
    • “The way they tell the story, create an amazing atmosphere at all times, include funny minigames, showcase wonderful characters and deal with a lot of very deep and relatable topics and emotions all underlined with beautiful visuals and sound is just perfect.”
    • “The background noise is so surreal, like you’re really there from the loud jeepneys of Manila, tricycles, manong taho shouting to attract customers, and the school atmosphere of students chatting & bells ringing. It's so unreal hearing them in a 2.5 pixel art game!”
    • “The atmosphere: you are basically transported into the Philippines. Everything from the small details of the trash, the sounds of people yelling and talking, the school colors, and the houses looking like those traditional houses had me feeling giddy inside because I'm literally going, 'Oh my God, it's the Philippines!'”
    • “So far, the music is amazing, the art is super cute, the dialogue and events are funny, and not to mention the atmosphere; it just sucks you right into the game!”
  • character development33 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, with reviewers highlighting the depth and complexity of characters like Mark and Nicole, which significantly enhance the storytelling experience. The writing is noted for its nuance and subtlety, making each character's unique struggles impactful and relatable. Overall, the character designs and animations contribute to a vibrant and engaging narrative, earning high marks across the board.

    • “Mark and Nicole's story and character developments are the best part of this game.”
    • “From beautiful sights to exquisite storytelling, impactful animation, score, and character development, I don't think I would change a thing.”
    • “The storytelling is phenomenal, the character development is nothing short of perfect, and the twists are not even twists really... I can't wait to uncover the complete mystery.”
    • “I’m a sucker for characters who have unique stories of their own, because that’s the backbone of their character development and how they’ll be impactful to the story. You just need to add a bit of spice with their struggles to make it really flavorful for the player to enjoy... or maybe to break them.”
    • “Character development feels lacking; the characters don't seem to evolve or face meaningful challenges throughout the game.”
    • “The character development is superficial at best, with predictable arcs that fail to engage or resonate with the player.”
  • optimization28 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing smooth performance at 60 fps, while others report crashes and stuttering, particularly on lower-end PCs. Many reviewers noted the need for further polish, especially regarding loading times and input registration in mini-games. Overall, while there are optimization issues to address, the game still offers a unique experience that many players find enjoyable.

    • “While there are aspects that need to be refined (optimization for this game and story endings in my personal opinion), I think it's still a fun and unique game that can be appreciated by a lot of other people.”
    • “I saw nothing go down in performance the whole game except for one minigame which was very lighting-centric.”
    • “Performance – I don't particularly have a strong PC, but I can run the game at 60 fps in most scenes.”
    • “Right now, it needs a bit more polish for performance.”
    • “Sadly, it crashes every time after approximately 2 minutes. I don't know if it's my low-end PC or something, but I have every graphic setting on 'low'. The game has just been released, and it could be due to optimization bugs. If it turns out to be because of my PC, the game in the trailers looks pretty good.”
    • “Without spoiling anything too much, the planned ones were alright, but there are clearly some optimization bugs to iron out when it comes to things like loading, sound quality, and the like.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with players reporting various glitches, including visual and sound issues, as well as occasional crashes, particularly when loading new scenes. While these problems can be frustrating and may require restarting the game, many users feel that they do not significantly detract from the overall experience, which remains compelling and enjoyable. Overall, while stability issues exist, they are not deemed game-breaking, and players are encouraged to persevere through them.

    • “My only complaints at the moment of posting this (7/14/24) are that I experienced glitches with [spoiler] the grandma walking up to Nicole and Mark during the first cycle at the carnival.”
    • “The story is so compelling, despite a bit of a slow start, that the only thing that could get me to put the game down was the visual glitches which forced me to shut the game down.”
    • “Had a black screen early on, which I somehow fixed by not playing in 1080p and disabling the Steam overlay. I had a few graphical glitches where some assets didn't load properly, crashed a couple of times when loading to a new scene, and even lost my progress once, but it was fixed by finding a matching save file or requesting one from the devs.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly engaging with new experiences and scenarios in subsequent playthroughs, others feel that the core experience remains largely unchanged, limiting its overall replay value. Overall, it offers some incentive for replaying, particularly for those interested in deepening their understanding of the story.

    • “If you plan on adding this game to your library, let me just say it is very replayable!”
    • “It has some replay value as well, which I do like in a game like this; new things learned with a second and third playthrough.”
    • “Honestly, I think I may replay the game again, even after finishing it, just to help solidify and form my thoughts/opinions on the game and its story/events. I will say, however, I would expect a subsequent playthrough to be similar - that is to say there's little replayability here if that matters to you.”
    • “Thought this game has no replayability.”
    • “The replayability of this game is nuts!”
  • monetization4 mentions

    Players generally feel that the game's monetization is justified, as they find the asking price reasonable and appreciate the promotional ads that helped them make an informed decision.

  • grinding3 mentions

    Players express that grinding in the game can be excessively time-consuming, likening it to needing a "second life" to manage it. While the overall experience is praised as an absolute masterpiece, some find certain minigames tedious and lacking clear instructions, which adds to the frustration of grinding.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Absolute masterpiece, even if some of the minigames are tedious. My only real complaint is that some of the minigames do not tell you you're even in a minigame, and you basically have to guess the controls every time.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Buy Until Then

Play time

20hMedian play time
19hAverage play time
10-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 36 analyzed playthroughs

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