If Found... Reviews
I appreciate the bravery of DREAMFEEL for releasing such a personal game about a topic that not a lot of people understand. I only wish it were delivered in a more captivating way. The symbolism is great, but without any other facets of gameplay or ways in which to deliver the narrative, it loses its potency before too long.
Anyone interested in narrative-focused games needs to check If Found… out.
A hot topic, spectacular drawing, unusual surroundings… Good try, but If Found... lacks interactivity and fails to dive deep into the chosen topic.
Review in Russian | Read full review
If Found has an incredible story to tell about finding your place in life with an added dose of science fiction, there are themes of acceptance and discovery, but the core of the story revolves around Kasio accepting who she is. Sure the conclusion is a little rushed, but that won’t stop you from feeling immersed in this truly beautiful game.
Knowing that even now, in a year where everything feels like a hazy wave of terrible events, sadness and darkness, we can strive towards making a brighter future. It might've been a short experience, but If Found… made me experience something that I have missed over the last few months. For that I can only be grateful.
If Found... is a visually impressive and deeply personal experience that centers on emotional resonance above all else
If Found... is a brief, distinctive, and deeply effective tale that will make you nostalgic for and reflect on some of the more troubling times of your youth. While its lack of interactivity may make it too niche for some, it is the perfect story for an afternoon in quarantine.
The game reveals its brilliance by constantly and subtly reconfiguring the emotions behind erasure.
A story told with deft delicacy while not pulling any punches along the way, If Found is a gorgeous slice of storytelling told with deceptively minimal inputs and maximum talent.
If Found... is a creative telling of a queer woman learning about herself and teaching others to accept her for who she is.
Delicate illustrations depict a world slipping away in this poignant drama, with memories we're invited to help young Kasio erase
Being a visual novel, If Found… won't be for everyone, but those willing to give it a try will find a beautiful and endearing story of self-acceptance. The gorgeous hand-drawn art and the story coming directly from a diary really give the impression of an insight to someone's life, and the gameplay idea of actually erasing history and identity creates an intensely emotional experience.
If Found…is deep and comforting, a little disorienting, and at times heartbreaking. It is by no means trying to make people feel sorry for Kasio. Instead, it is creating an experience that some of us will never go through, and walking side-by-side with a character who does makes reality more understandable. As Kasio, we meet people who accept her, but also face hostility from the ones closest to her. It helps readers relate, understand, and reflect. It may be a very short game, but it tells a warm and powerful story that is worthwhile to read.
Essential and powerful, but perhaps seek out the mobile version first.
If Found bridges the gaps between a handful of different mediums and artistic disciplines to create a sad, poignant, ultimately uplifting tale.
For many, If Found... will be an interesting story about LGBTQ life in early '90s Ireland. For others, it'll be a callback to the heartache of our own coming out experiences. It tells a very specific story of a very specific girl, but its examinations of families, friends, and how we sometimes need to let go of the past if we want to move forward, are universal. This is a great example of how stories about LGBTQ characters don't have to be aimed exclusively at LGBTQ audiences, and even without my personal connection to the story, it's the most brilliant game I've played this year.
If Found is a mesmerizing commentary on the nature of failed relationships and human nature.
Through its vivid sketchbook art style and sharp writing, If Found gives a powerful, affecting story about empathy and acceptance as a young adult.
If all interactive stories are like this, then sign me up. While If Found…starts out slow, it picks up the pace and draws you in with the personal journey of Kasio that is complemented by the beautiful artwork from Liadh Young. It's a story that everyone, especially younger gamers, should experience.