Until Then Reviews
While the setting and inspirations are Filipino through and through, the themes of friendship, love, loss, and acceptance in this visual novel are universal.
Gameplay is understandably pretty limited, and you’ll spend most of your time simply pressing ‘A’ to advance the dialogue. Occasionally, you’ll be able to move left or right through the environment, and developer Polychroma Games has also seen fit to include a bunch of fun little minigames.
Until Then stands as a heartening example of a narrative adventure game and manages to strike a chord with its delicate balance of the supernatural and highschool drama. Managing to deftly avoid the tropes that dominate the space, every choice in Until Then feels intentional and every interaction feels far more earnest than some of its contemporaries. I very much enjoyed experiencing this story and being able to almost relive some of my own silly highschool stories through the eyes of Mark. Lying underneath the teenage awkwardness is a story about growth and acceptance, and it is one that everyone will be able to see themselves in.
Until Then is still a visual novel, clinging to a large cultural stratum of contemporary culture. However, it is also a very emotional and lampooning story about growing up, friendship, betrayal and love.
Review in Russian |
In the end, Until Then is a bit like a pixelated Life Is Strange. And like the best Life Is Strange games, it strikes a near-perfect balance between the mundanity of every day life and the joyous and devastating moments that occasionally perforate that normality.
My feelings about Until Then evolved the longer I played. What at first seemed like a slow-paced visual novel with retro graphics gradually began to reveal itself as something much more sophisticated. Excellent character development and a surprising, emotionally varied narrative are at the heart of Until Then, but its storytelling mechanics are fresh and contemporary, too. Mark and his gang have interesting stories to tell, and so does Until Then.
The visuals are a standout in this regard too. For one, the graphic a friend makes in honor of a “date” you went on with a new classmate is so overblown (complete with doves) that it would look right at home memorializing someone’s tragically premature death. These jokes are funny, but they’re also emblematic of the way in which these kids—all of whom have their own deeply felt emotional baggage—ultimately lift each other up. It reflects a genuine and kind-hearted rejection of the kind of cynicism that’s far too often romanticized in other teen dramas.
Until Then is a must-play for lovers of narrative-focused games everywhere. The game already depicts living the life of a teenager in the Phillippines in the 2010s beautifully with its thoughtful and authentic writing, combined with a picturesque world. That alone would be enough, but it goes above and beyond, adding breathtaking pixel animation, an intriguing mystery and a palpable geopolitical subplot. The cast of characters is incredibly endearing and you'll grow to love them all, building to the final emotional gut punch of the game that takes the wind out of you. Joining the plethora of quality narratives in 2024, Until Then is a game you won't soon forget.
Until Then is a powerful narrative that explores both bigger- and smaller-picture issues of adolescent life. Despite some very confronting themes, the game handles its heavy tale with sensitivity and care, and the result is an experience that will undoubtedly leave its mark on anyone who plays it.
The devil really is in the details in Until Then, a heart warming narrative adventure.
Until Then made me cry multiple times. Some lines hit me like a ton of bricks and buried me under the weight of their emotional significance. The game allows you to continue after the end and even expedites things a bit. After your first loop, you’re going to want to go back. Remember, “you can always begin again, you just have to find that spark”.
The undercooked mystery backdrop is a small blemish because they nailed the writing and character development. Even an underwhelming soundtrack can't diminish the heart on-display through emotionally raw dialogue and facial expressions. Give yourself the experience of reigniting those moments that were powerful at the time but seem small in retrospect. Allow yourself to feel the volatility of teenage life through the eyes of Mark. Play Until Then.
Until Then is a story-rich adventure full of standouts: its beautiful pixel art, relatable protagonist, realistic character dynamics, and thoughtful representation of Filipino culture. It's a coming-of-age tale worth experiencing.
Until Then has an interesting art style and some decent writing, but mundane pacing, limited interactivity and contrived, poorly delivered drama make for a forgettable adventure.
Until Then is a text adventure with an impactful narrative and beautiful direction that make it a strong example of what the genre can do. It's a must-play, be it on Switch or other platforms, especially for those who love the genre or personal growth tales and human drama.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
With few setbacks, which are negligible to a certain extent, it is a complete package, with an immersive story that uses the media in which it was produced to tell it in a different way than anything that could be seen in an animation or traditional book. This is one experience that will remain in my memory as one of the most spectacular.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
But if you don't let all of this put you off and struggle through the rather slow first third of the game, you will be rewarded with an exciting and well-told story that will leave no one eye dry.
Review in German | Read full review
Until Then is a graphic novel without any particular gameplay flourishes, with some technical imperfections but enjoyable from a graphic point of view. The great strength of the narrative lies in its sweet and delicate tone, as well as in the Filipino setting, original and rich in traditions. The paranormal element and the multiverse only serve as a frame for many reflections on the human soul, on grieving, on the journey to adulthood and on interpersonal relationships. Knowing how to let go and learning to listen to those who remain in our lives is not easy. Growing up is not easy, and Until Then tells us this through a story worth living. If you are looking for a relaxing and unpretentious title, give it a chance. Tears are guaranteed.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Until Then is an emotionally charged story of a high school student whose everyday life slowly begins to turn into a roller coaster due to a series of events. The impressive narrative and unprecedentedly beautiful visuals are dragged down slightly only by the underdeveloped audio and unfun mini-games.
Review in Slovak | Read full review