What Remains of Edith Finch Reviews
Despite being left wanting a bit more, What Remains of Edith Finch is a one of those examples of truly interactive storytelling.
It goes without saying that this game sets a new benchmark for storytelling, and the imaginative ways in which it's done, all the while dealing with death in a delicate and poignant way.
What Remains of Edith Finch is a gripping exploration game, and will likely leave you thinking about it long after the credits roll.
What Remains of Edith Finch is a 'Walking Simulator' that doesn't just tell an unforgettable story – it's genuinely unforgettable. As tragic as its tale is, it always manages to entertain. As one section ends and as you fight back tears, you'll always carry on, because the next story is as engrossing as the last. If you want a strong feature-length story that doesn't waste a minute, Edith Finch is the one you need.
First-person, narrative-driven games generally follow a pattern. What Remains of Edith Finch plays with those established conventions to create a beautiful story that breaks your heart, while making you smile just as much. A triumph in the genre.
The game takes players off into some far-off places when it comes to its dream sequences and vignettes, and while they're purely based in the fantastical, there are plenty of elements that every player will relate to on some human level throughout the journey; sadness, disappointment, heartbreak, love, joy, and most of all, the will to experience life to its fullest. What Remains of Edith Finch may only provide a brief glimpse into the lives of its characters like a family photo album filled with moments that have long since passed, but by the game's end, it's sure to leave a lasting impression.
By varying its approach and exploring new areas for the realm of interactive fiction, Giant Sparrow has crafted a game worthy of the praise so liberally lavished upon its peers.
Giant Sparrow's study of a deeply eccentric family stands proudly alongside narrative adventures like Gone Home, Dear Esther, and Firewatch
What elevates it from a fascinating and gorgeous experiment in presentation to an immediate contender for my game of the year is the way that the broader narrative informs the stories it contains, just as the house is home to its many rooms. Without casting judgement or becoming didactic, Edith Finch explores both the good and the harm that stories can do, and how folktale, imagination and superstition can lift us up and dash us down.
A high-water mark of narrative video game design
What Remains of Edith Finch is one of the most engaging pieces of interactive storytelling I've had the pleasure of experiencing. I walked away at the end of the credits strangely satisfied by being unsatisfied. These brief but intimate windows into the most tragic of the Finch family's moments leave so many questions unanswered, but give just enough to let your imagination fill in the holes. I felt that I had really explored the sad and storied history of this house and family, discovering only what the walls wanted to show me. The rest was left wrapped in mystery as I stood the final living member of the Finch bloodline. Through uniquely visceral methods, Giant Sparrow made sure that my familiarity with the Finches at their most tragic moments made me feel like a part of the family.
Don't question it — just buy it. Buy it right now. It isn't a shooter, and there are no puzzles and some will question if this even qualifies as a “game,” but What Remains of Edith Finch is an exemplar in video game narrative design. No other game I've ever played has provoked the same meditation on death, and ultimately life and the beauty of it all.
It's a personal, singular experience that everyone can take part in, and with all my heart, I hope you do.
Indie studio Giant Sparrow conjures an adventure that blends exploration, reading, reality and fantasy into one innovative and beautiful experience
If you enjoy a story that pulls you in, then this game is definitely one that should be on your wishlist.
All in all, What Remains of Edith Finch is an incredible game, made just that much better thanks to the improvements afforded by the PS5. It is every bit the classic now that it was in 2017, and remains an absolute must-play.
Let's not beat about the bush, What Remains of Edith Finch is a real nugget that manages to break the codes of the genre thanks to its inventive game design. This short, tragic and poignant adventure is sublimated by an ingenious level design, a refined sound and visual universe, and an exquisite narrative.
Review in French | Read full review
A game that talks about death, but in doing so it becomes an unforgettable love song to life. Giant Sparrow raises the bar for "walking simulators", thanks to an amazing story told through compelling gameplay ideas and some real, deep environmental storytelling.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The experience is short, but ultimately well constructed. The ending has a very M. Night Shyamalan feel to it – you'll get some closure, but you'll also want more! Yes, What Remains of Edith Finch is essentially a walking simulator – but with a unique story, some very interesting sequences and some fun "game" moments, it's the best one I personally have had the pleasure of playing.
We were worried that the new project from Giant Sparrow will be something like another Gone Home, but as it turned out, between these games is a gulf like between the old rusty tractor and a Mercedes. This is a small work of art, framed in a modern digital form. Two hours spent in it were some of the most vivid, rich, and emotionally deep in our gaming life. What Remains of Edith Finch is really so great.
Review in Russian | Read full review