What Remains of Edith Finch

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 14,140 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • emotional
What Remains of Edith Finch Game Cover
Once in a while, a game comes along and something about it just resonates with you.
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What Remains of Edith Finch is a BAFTA-winning game that explores the mysterious death of the Finch family members, one by one. As Edith, you'll uncover your family's past by experiencing the day of each relative's death in a series of first-person vignettes, each with its unique gameplay and tone. The game aims to help Edith understand why she is the only Finch left alive.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 14,140 reviews
story5,304 positive mentions
replayability49 negative mentions
  • story10,974 mentions

    The story of "What Remains of Edith Finch" is a poignant exploration of family, loss, and the impact of a supposed family curse, told through a series of unique and immersive vignettes. Each family member's tale is presented in a distinct gameplay style, enhancing the emotional weight of their tragic fates, and the game's artistic visuals and atmospheric sound design further enrich the storytelling experience. While some players found the narrative to be deeply moving and innovative, others felt it lacked depth and resolution, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact.

    • “The way these personal stories are woven into the game experience forms a link that immerses players further into the storyline and heightens the impact of subsequent revelations.”
    • “Each member of the family has their unique voice and personality with a backstory that brings them to life as individuals rather than just tools to move the story forward.”
    • “The beautiful art style and emotional storytelling touch on themes of family and loss.”
    • “I expected a lot from a game with this level of acclaim but couldn't get invested in the story.”
    • “In the end, finishing the story merely makes one wonder, 'so what was the point of all that?', which is a pretty big flaw in this kind of game in my opinion.”
    • “For all the praise this game receives, the story is pretty mediocre in my opinion.”
  • gameplay2,025 mentions

    The gameplay in "What Remains of Edith Finch" is primarily a walking simulator, featuring minimal interaction and a focus on exploration and storytelling. Each family member's story is presented through unique gameplay mechanics that keep the experience fresh and engaging, although the overall gameplay is simple and can feel linear. While the game excels in narrative depth and emotional resonance, some players may find the short playtime and limited gameplay elements a drawback, especially at its price point.

    • “Each family member's story is told through unique gameplay experiences, keeping things fresh and engaging.”
    • “The way each story is told, through unique gameplay mechanics and stunning visuals, creates an immersive experience unlike any other.”
    • “The gameplay is unique and the storytelling is quite magical and gripping.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive and weak.”
    • “If you are expecting more than a linear story with some small gameplay mechanics, then I'd advise you to look elsewhere.”
    • “The gameplay is very simple since this is a walking simulator, so the biggest draw is its plot and exploration.”
  • emotional1,607 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "What Remains of Edith Finch" is widely praised for its deeply touching and heart-wrenching storytelling, exploring themes of family, loss, and mortality. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from joy to profound sadness, often leading to tears as they uncover the tragic fates of the Finch family members. The game's unique narrative structure and immersive gameplay enhance its emotional impact, making it a memorable experience that resonates long after completion.

    • “What remains of edith finch is an emotional journey through the lives of the finch family, each one a chapter in a larger, interconnected narrative.”
    • “The emotional depth of what remains of edith finch is enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly complements the tone of the game.”
    • “This game is a beautifully crafted, carefully delivered, intensely emotional story that always managed to impress me at every step.”
    • “From the description of the game, I expected some shallow, boring story playing as an annoying kid.”
    • “All you do is walk her around and listen to a rather boring story.”
    • “Other than that, it's a slow trudge through a boring story.”
  • graphics1,563 mentions

    The graphics of "What Remains of Edith Finch" are widely praised for their stunning beauty and artistic variety, with many reviewers highlighting the game's imaginative art style that complements its emotional storytelling. Each character's narrative is presented through unique visual styles, enhancing the overall immersive experience. While some players noted occasional performance issues, the overall consensus is that the visuals significantly contribute to the game's impact, making it a visually captivating journey through the Finch family's tragic history.

    • “The graphics are stunning and really help set up the mood that the story is based on.”
    • “The visuals are beautiful and striking, always fitting with the story being told, and the story itself is beyond my words.”
    • “The graphics, attention to detail, music, and voice acting are all some of the best I've seen in this sort of game.”
    • “The graphics are decent - not great.”
    • “I had to turn down graphics and other details to low just so I could finish the story.”
    • “The game manages to not only underwhelm, but disappoint in every aspect, storytelling, puzzles and graphics.”
  • music893 mentions

    The music in "What Remains of Edith Finch" is widely praised for its haunting beauty and ability to enhance the emotional depth of the narrative. Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack complements the game's atmosphere, with each character's story featuring unique musical themes that resonate with their experiences. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a carefully crafted score creates an immersive and unforgettable gaming experience.

    • “The fantastic music, the myriad art direction, and especially the beautiful writing all come together to elevate it to unparalleled emotional damage.”
    • “With a magnificent soundtrack to boot, this interactive experience allows you to delve into the lives of each person who makes up the mysterious Finch family.”
    • “The emotional depth of 'What Remains of Edith Finch' is enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly complements the tone of the game.”
    • “Many of the musical pieces are played in the form of a loop.”
    • “The music always underlines each character, but it also expresses the tragedy of each one with sounds in the form of emotional streams.”
    • “The music was solid but not breathtaking.”
  • atmosphere593 mentions

    The atmosphere of "What Remains of Edith Finch" is widely praised for its immersive and emotionally evocative qualities, combining stunning visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and intricate storytelling. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a nostalgic yet eerie environment that enhances the narrative experience, making players feel deeply connected to the characters and their tragic histories. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a masterful blend of beauty and melancholy, drawing players into a rich, interactive exploration of family legacy.

    • “From the voice acting, the animation, the atmosphere, the sound effects, the models, the gameplay... everything in this game was tailored to make it as immersive as possible.”
    • “The atmosphere of this game is comforting and eerie at the same time, it builds an environment that fills you with curiosity instantly.”
    • “The atmosphere is indescribable, and the story is so well-written with characters that you learn about second-hand yet still feel so utterly real.”
    • “The pretty design and atmosphere serve as a shell for a meaningless story.”
    • “Beautiful visuals and excellent atmosphere are a wonderful facade to cover up poor storytelling and bland characters.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and the story is well paced.”
  • replayability189 mentions

    Overall, the game has very limited replayability, primarily due to its short length (typically 2-3 hours) and linear storytelling. While some players appreciate the opportunity to revisit the narrative for its emotional depth, most agree that there is little incentive to replay once the story is completed, aside from achievement hunting. Many recommend purchasing the game on sale, as its replay value does not justify a full-price buy.

    • “Although short in length (a first playthrough typically lasts 2–3 hours), what remains of Edith Finch has much replayability.”
    • “Please play this, it has such great replay value and just grasps your attention every time.”
    • “Overall, it's a superb experience with potential for replayability.”
    • “However, the story is short and lack of replayability might leave some players wanting more.”
    • “The game also doesn't provide a lot of replay value other than experiencing the story again, which leads to a very short game.”
    • “The length of the story and the low replayability is the only con I can think of.”
  • humor130 mentions

    The humor in "What Remains of Edith Finch" is a unique blend of dark, whimsical, and absurd elements, often juxtaposed with tragic themes. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from laughter at the absurdity of certain deaths to sadness over the family's tragic history, creating a narrative that is both heartwarming and haunting. The game's clever storytelling and strong voice acting enhance its ability to evoke laughter and tears simultaneously, making it a memorable experience that challenges the boundaries of traditional humor in gaming.

    • “It's full of whimsy and gallows humor, often at the same time.”
    • “What remains of Edith Finch isn't just a game; it's a whirlwind adventure that'll leave you laughing, crying, and questioning the very fabric of reality.”
    • “The story is moving, and appropriately funny or dark or poignant as the situation merits.”
  • grinding60 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is often perceived as tedious and time-consuming, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the narrative and artistic elements, they frequently mention the slow movement and repetitive tasks as frustrating, suggesting that a more engaging gameplay mechanic could enhance the storytelling. Overall, players recommend the game for its story but caution that it requires significant patience due to its grinding aspects.

    • “Time for grinding will be required.”
    • “You'll be grinding a lot.”
    • “Regardless, it's still an interesting story, and some of the games require good coordination, so it's not tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Such utterly shallow and tedious gameplay that lasts for far too long.”
    • “The game looks attractive, but was so tedious to play.”
  • stability50 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various glitches and bugs, particularly in specific character storylines like Walter's and Lewis's. While some users experienced no significant issues and praised the overall performance, others faced frustrating technical problems that hindered gameplay, leading to a less enjoyable experience. Overall, while the game runs well for some, the presence of persistent bugs has left many players disappointed.

    • “The game runs great on Steam Deck; with the right settings, you can get about 2 hours of playtime, and that's half the game.”
    • “Beautiful and runs great on Linux.”
    • “It ran pretty much bug-free, and some of the character stories were really good (looking at you, Barbara and Lewis).”
    • “My biggest problem with the game is that every time I play Walter's story, the game glitches and the wall never breaks to expose the tunnel.”
    • “Very disappointed with glitches that were brought up last year and still have not been fixed... more disappointed that you can't get a refund when the same won't allow you to proceed.”
    • “The game glitches and I'm stuck in a room with no way to move forward.”
  • optimization48 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant frame drops and stuttering, particularly in open areas or on certain hardware configurations. However, others reported smooth performance with no issues, even at high settings, indicating that optimization may vary widely depending on the system used. Overall, while the graphics and voice acting are praised, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, leading to a divided player experience.

    • “In terms of performance, I experienced no issues with lag, glitches, or crashing.”
    • “Performance is perfect; the game ran at 90-100 fps for me on max settings.”
    • “I had no problems on my 5-year-old PC (RX460), easily running the game at 1080p on max settings.”
    • “It also isn't optimized as it had huge frame drops on 4K resolution.”
    • “Doesn't run well through Proton, lots of stuttering and freezes.”
    • “I experienced quite a bit of stuttering and some odd frame drops for a title that, while beautifully constructed, is decidedly not a graphical powerhouse.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development is a standout feature in the game, praised for its depth and artistry, often likened to a masterclass in storytelling. Players commend the intricate characterization of the Finch family, achieved through innovative narration and atmospheric storytelling, which surpasses that of many AAA titles. However, some users express frustration over the lack of character development in certain aspects, indicating a mixed reception overall.

    • “A standout feature of the game is its character development that adds depth to the overall experience.”
    • “The amount of characterization and detail the extremely talented development team was able to create for each member of the Finch family through narration, atmospheric storytelling, and creative flashback segments in only a few minutes is truly astounding, and in my opinion is more effective than the character development in most AAA franchises.”
    • “Deeply powerful emotional buildup and rewarding character development.”
    • “It has no actual character development, so it was just frustrating.”
    • “Don't expect much action, but expect a ton of character development and exposition.”
    • “Maybe it's because of the character development.”
  • monetization7 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is viewed positively, with reviewers appreciating its focus on genuine gameplay rather than exploitative practices like loot boxes and excessive microtransactions. While there are some microtransactions present, the overall experience is seen as a refreshing departure from the industry's common cash grab tactics, highlighting the potential for creativity and depth in game design.

    • “This is what the medium can do, and I am so glad that in a world of loot boxes, DLC, in-app purchases, and annual clones, there is still scope for teams like this to thrive and create something so beautiful and deep.”
    • “Microtransactions - check!”
    • “When I hear games advertising 'immersion', I couldn't help picturing the advertising team laughing manically, twirling their mustache, and rubbing their hands all over the pile of money that one word had made them.”
    • “This is what the medium can do, and I am so glad in a world of loot boxes and DLC and in-app purchases and annual clones, that there is still scope for teams like this to thrive and create something so beautiful and deep.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

87% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
2hMain story
3hCompletionist
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 144 analyzed playthroughs

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