In the wonderful, weird world of indie games, "If Found..." glares like a neon sign in a dark alley, beckoning you to venture further. It's a visual novel that deftly weaves together two seemingly disparate tales: one of a cosmic disaster and the other of a young transgender woman navigating her existence in 1990s Ireland. Yes, you read that right! It's like if your literature teacher had a mad affair with a sci-fi novel under the watchful eye of a stylistic indie art film. Let's dive into this emotional black hole of a game!
Gameplay in "If Found..." can be described as erasure therapy: you progress through atmospheric scenes by literally erasing journal entries or images. Imagine you're the world's worst janitor, but instead of cleaning, you're systematically destroying the evidence of a poignant life story-no, not just your sketches of superheroes that got a D-. The player alternates between two narratives-the scientist Cassiopeia, facing a black hole, and Kasio, who is tackling her relationships amid family turmoil. The eraser function isn't merely a gimmick; it serves as a metaphor for the process of loss, acceptance, and self-discovery. The stories intertwine with fantastic symbolism, highlighting how life sometimes crumbles like an untrustworthy sandwich, and we must pick up the pieces... or delete them altogether.
"If Found..." rustles the leaves of the indie art style canopy. The hand-drawn visuals are simple yet evocative, pulling you into a cozy yet haunting atmosphere. It's reminiscent of those beautiful doodles you drew during history class, only, you know, professionally done. Each scene radiates emotion, capturing the turbulent yet beautiful life of Kasio and the cold, calculating space journey of Cassiopeia. The effect is striking; you feel like you are participating in an art gallery opening where you're not quite sure whether to laugh, cry, or both. As you erase content, the remaining visuals glimmer poignantly, resonating with the emotions of the characters. Let's just say, you'll likely want to stare at your screen for a while, making it the perfect game for procrastination. Sorry, not sorry!
In conclusion, "If Found..." is more than just an artistic experiment; it's an emotional ride akin to rollercoasting through a therapy session with a side of cosmic existentialism. It's a touching exploration of identity wrapped in sci-fi layers, encouraging players to confront their feelings and relationships while navigating the poignant stories of Cassiopeia and Kasio. If you're looking to play something enlightening, beautiful, and that'll make you question your life choices while emotionally unraveling in a corner of your room, look no further than this treasure of a visual novel. Just remember to keep a tissue handy; the feels are real, my friend.