PixlBit

Recently I revisited What Remains of Edith Finch, a game I played at least a year ago because it came up in the weekly Game Pass challenges. By playing through the first "chapter" for the rewards, I was reminded how much I enjoyed this short game.

Howlongtobeat.com says it takes 2 hours to beat but I likely took longer when I played it the first time because in a game like this, where you can explore, find clues and documents to read, I take my time and comb through every bit of content I can find. 

It's very much like a point-and-click adventure game with some action moments. It has a very strange story as well, macabre. You return to your ancestral house and discover the long family history of tragedy. You relive the demise of many family members as you explore the house full of secrets and try and get to the bottom of the "family curse". The macabre nature of the game reminds me of an Edwin Gorey cartoon and the quirky, troubled family of a Wes Anderson film. The mood, gloomy and introverted, reminds me of an Igmar Bergman film. It's less horrific than creepy and perhaps even a little funny and surreal. 

Giant Sparrow developed the game and released it in 2017. They also did The Unfinished Swan before that. I wonder what they are up to next? I'm interested.