But, conceptually and thematically, it’s explored to a satisfying degree. The simple yet complicated question of ‘what exactly is a season in this world?’ is explored and answered, though it’s never quite so concrete that I could definitively explain it to a friend. Speaking with characters will uncover details about the previous season, the transition into the current one, and speculation about the next. She does such a phenomenal job at conveying quiet and profound emotion. The quality of writing elevates these exchanges quite a bit, and some performances, if a bit stilted, are earnest, but the uneven performances stand out.įortunately, Estelle makes up the vast majority of the game’s voice acting, providing quality narration throughout. Something about the delivery came across as unnatural, like someone reading unrehearsed lines off a page. Others, like her village elder, were jarring enough to pull me out of the game. Estelle’s mother and father, for example, felt like the right fit and tone. The same can’t be said about all of the other voice actors. Her brief notes of wisdom and regular monologue are never unwelcome, feeling completely at home in the somber journey the game takes you on. Her voice acting is also excellent, carrying an intonation that fully embodies the quiet contemplation the game instills. The writing is genuinely thought-provoking, and while it could push you away if you’re not in the right headspace for this type of experience, it’s deeply rewarding if you’re in the right mood. The game is filled with her narration, reflecting on her experiences, observing the world around her, and thinking about the people she encounters. There’s a strange gravity to everything in this game, always pulling back into the impending finality of it all.Įstelle, as a protagonist, is fairly quiet in her interactions with others. ![]() She’s forgetting pieces of their lives together in order to protect her daughter on her journey beyond the safety of the village. With each item, Estelle’s mother revisits a cherished memory, and then it leaves her forever. You move about your childhood home, turning over different items and knickknacks, choosing which items to use in the pendant. In doing so, Estelle’s mother forgets each infused memory, essentially sacrificing her memory for her daughter’s. To craft the protective pendant, Estelle’s mother must infuse the pendant with several shared cherished memories, each linked with one of the five senses. These afflictions can range from losing the ability to track the progress of time, to becoming so overwhelmed with piled-on memories that they become physically debilitating. This pendant is meant to ward against ‘mind sickness,’ protecting against several psychological afflictions present in the world. This is a game about mindfulness.Įarly on, there’s a touching moment before Estelle leaves her village during which her mother crafts her a pendant for her journey. The very act of wanting to rush spoils the experience, as the narrative encourages slowing down, taking in every sight and sound, and exploring every corner of the world. The narrative absolutely delivers on this promise, providing a pace that benefits greatly from a more relaxed playthrough. The narrative is poignant and contemplative, lacking any dramatic urgency beyond the initial reveal of the season ending. RELATED: Forspoken Review: Fun, But Flawed She records her travels by taking pictures, capturing audio recordings, jotting down notes, and making observations along the way. Throughout this journey, she learns about previous seasons and why this season is ending by visiting old ruins and the last remnants of an ancient community. Season: A Letter To The Future follows Estelle as she leaves her home village for the first time and sets out into the world to record the changing of the season. This is a game about savoring life, quiet exploration, and examining the beauty in the world around us - whether that’s the sound of the wind rushing through a lavender field or a heartfelt memory preserved in the earth itself. This isn’t a game about dramatic action sequences. This isn’t a game about preventing the apocalypse. ![]() We are playing through these final days to discover the secrets of the season and to write the titular letter to the future. ![]() The game's frame, a stranger sitting down to read through Estelle’s journal, establishes right away that the end of the season has already come to pass. Mixed voice acting performances some great, some mediocre.
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