Until Then Reviews
Until Then was missold as a mystery, instead, it tells an intense and beautiful story of coming of age, dealing with loss, and making hard decisions in friendships and relationships. It is an experience that is begging to be replayed, not just because it is a great story, but because each subsequent playthrough comes with its own ending.
In the context of firsthand retellings of personal life stories, Until Then shines as an excellent example of using every clever advantage an interactive storytelling medium can use. Employing a charming art style and witty writing that feels just right, within its 6 to 8-hour playtime let yourself be transported to a bygone era where everything felt more easygoing yet catastrophic at the same time.
Until Then isn’t just my game of the year (so far) it’s up there with my favorite games of all time. The jaw-dropping artstyle alongside the witty dialogue and emotional beats all combine to make a visual novel that is In my opinion, a masterpiece, and a true labor of love. Some mini-games slightly sour the experience, but winning is not necessary to progress the story. And that story is too good to care. This game is 100% worth your time and money. Give it a go…or three.
Until Then offers a compelling coming-of-age story infused with supernatural elements. Set in a post-disaster town, players follow high schooler Mark and his friends as they navigate personal challenges and mysterious occurrences. Despite some narrative pacing issues and a lack of supernatural exploration, the game's immersive setting, relatable character dynamics, and unique visual presentation make it a captivating experience.
Kudos to Polychroma Games for making a game that Southeast Asians can be proud of, standing tall amongst the likes of other similarly good games from the region. While there are some issues regarding the minigames & overall pacing, the story in Until Then is worth experiencing, at least for its more exciting second half.
Until Then isn’t the best narrative adventure game I’ve played but it’s definitely one I’ll remember for a long time. Don’t sleep on Until Then, it’s a worthwhile experience.
Until Then is more than just a game; it’s a narrative cinematic masterpiece that immerses players in a thought-provoking exploration of memory, reality, and emotional turmoil. At its core, the game introduces players to Mark’s profound struggles with self-doubt, anxiety, and loneliness, weaving these themes into a deeply personal journey that resonates long after the game is over. By the end of the journey, players are left not only pondering the mysteries of Mark’s world but also reflecting on their own perceptions and assumptions. Until Then is not just a game to be played; it’s an experience to be felt, remembered, and cherished for its ability to provoke thought and evoke emotion.
I'm tempted to say your mileage may vary with a game like Until Then. As a Filipino American, its cultural impact certainly made everything hit that much harder for me. As a narrative gamer who's gotten a lot out of visual novels and the like, its dialogue-driven adventure was easy for me to digest. And as a fan of pixel art, I loved the work Polychroma did here to bring its recreation of the Philippines to life. But even if none of those boxes are checked for you, I'm still tempted to recommend Until Then regardless. Its deeply human story, told with emotionally sincere dialogue, its ability to showcase the beauty of Filipino culture, its mind-breaking second half are all worth experiencing for gamers from all walks of life. Go play this game and let's go meet at the Jollibee to decompress after. Salamat, Polychroma.