What Remains of Edith Finch
- July 19, 2017
- Giant Sparrow
Once in a while, a game comes along and something about it just resonates with you.
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.
Reviews
- Rich and detailed environments that invite exploration.
- Unique and compelling storytelling with well-developed characters.
- Variety of gameplay styles and tactile controls enhance immersion.
- The experience can be completed in one sitting, making it feel short.
- Some technical issues, including texture load-in and stuttering.
- The overall tone can be quite depressing due to the tragic stories.
- story5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its groundbreaking storytelling, effectively addressing themes of death with sensitivity and creativity. While the narrative is compelling and well-presented, it remains less interactive, yet the artistic execution enhances the overall experience, marking it as a significant achievement in the walking simulator genre.
“It goes without saying that this game sets a new benchmark for storytelling, and the imaginative ways in which it's done, all the while dealing with death in a delicate and poignant way.”
“A compelling story well told, and although it’s still not very interactive, the variety and artfulness of the presentation feels like something only a video game could do.”
“The exceptional story and inventive gameplay design makes Giant Sparrow's title a memorable trailblazer for walking sims.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by rich and detailed environments that encourage exploration, a diverse range of gameplay styles, and tactile controls that enhance immersion. This inventive design, combined with an exceptional story, positions the game as a standout in the walking simulator genre.
“Rich and detailed environments that invite exploration, a wide variety of gameplay styles, and tactile controls make it more immersive.”
“The exceptional story and inventive gameplay design make Giant Sparrow's title a memorable trailblazer for walking sims.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their uniqueness and depth, effectively bringing characters to life in a short span of time. The visuals are described as fantastic, showcasing a great variety that enhances the overall experience, complemented by well-executed voice acting.
“Every memory is unique, with characters given depth in a short amount of time. The look and variety of visuals is fantastic.”
“The graphics are stunning, creating an immersive world that draws you in.”
“The attention to detail in the environments and character designs is truly impressive.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report experiencing minor stuttering issues, indicating that the game's optimization could be improved for smoother performance. Overall, while the game runs adequately, there are noticeable hiccups that detract from the experience.
“The game suffers from a little bit of stuttering, which disrupts the overall experience.”
“Optimization issues lead to frequent frame drops, making gameplay feel choppy.”
“I encountered significant lag during intense moments, indicating poor optimization.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for its beautiful soundtrack, which complements the contemplative and well-acted story, effectively challenging the conventions of its genre.
“The contemplative and well-acted story is complemented by a beautiful soundtrack that challenges its genre.”
“The music perfectly enhances the emotional depth of the game, making every moment feel more impactful.”
“Each track is thoughtfully composed, creating an immersive atmosphere that draws you deeper into the experience.”
Critic Reviews
What Remains of Edith Finch Review – A Collection of Stories from a Cursed Family
What Remains of Edith Finch is a short but bittersweet adventure of a family struggling to live with its past. It’s not exactly bombastic but it’ll likely tug a heart string here or two.
80%What Remains of Edith Finch Review - How I Died
What Remains of Edith Finch is what happens when you make a video game about obituaries. On the surface it just looks like a game about death as you live out the last moments of various people's lives. Search deeper, and you find it's a game celebrating how they lived.
95%What Remains of Edith Finch Review
What Remains of Edith Finch is a gorgeous experience and one of the finest magical-realism stories in all of games
88%