I like it when games are short. But Edith Finch is too short, even for me. I got it for about $4, discounted. For this reason, I’m satisfied, but if I’d paid full price, I wouldn’t be. It’s not very replayable either.

Edith Finch is an exploration of the main character’s family and the house they’ve lived in. As you play, you relive important fragments of the lives of these family members. Many of those memories have different gameplay mechanics or perspectives. Most are first-person “go here” missions, but there’s an isometric one, another about flying a kite, etc. I don’t want to say too much more to avoid spoiling too much of the game.

The whole game is very much an on rails thing. There isn’t a lot of freedom to explore or to do things in different ways. Of course, this is a necessary aspect of the game. It probably wouldn’t work otherwise. But it does make you wonder whether you’re playing a game or watching a movie.

Comparing Edith Finch to a movie is not just criticism. It’s also advice. If you’re going to play this game, try to do it as you would watch a movie on the cinema. Get a 3-4 hour window of continuous free time, and play it till the end. I think you’ll enjoy it more that way.

Most of what I’ve said is bad or neutral, but I think the game achieves what it sets out to do very well. I do recommend it.

  • Gamma@beehaw.orgEnglish
    10·
    6 months ago

    Edith Finch is one of my favorite walking sims! I bought it in 2017 during some sale and have played it a few times since, I thought the world was interesting and learning the family’s story was rewarding for the time.

  • rwhitisissle@lemmy.mlEnglish
    6·
    6 months ago

    Edith Finch is more of an interactive short-story collection thematically and narrative centralized around a single family and their almost comical level of intergenerational neglect.

  • a1studmuffin@aussie.zoneEnglish
    6·
    6 months ago

    Where this game shines is in storytelling and art. I thoroughly enjoyed it and rate it very highly, but I also really enjoy the walking simulator genre. It’s the perfect game to chill out and play on the big screen over an evening or two, very watchable for spectators too.

    • vicho@feddit.clOPEnglish
      6·
      6 months ago

      I had forgotten about the concept of “walking simulator.” I guess a lot of what I wrote could apply to any of them.

      spoiler

      Finch has swimming too, though

  • BigMikeInAustin@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    6 months ago

    I tried it because of Microsoft Game Pass rewards. And even replayed it to get all the XBox achievements.

    I would have been upset paying for it. But I’m not upset that I played it. Not sure I’d recommend it, unless the person was an adult and definitely liked play through stories.

  • SolOrion@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    3·
    6 months ago

    I love Edith Finch. It’s firmly my favorite among the walking simulator genre.

    It’s very much a story first and the only reason it’s a game and not a movie is because the perspective allows you to be a bit more immersed.

    If you want an example of a walking simulator done properly badly, give The Suicide Of Rachel Foster a go. It’s got an interesting idea, and it has zero clue what to do with it.

    • vicho@feddit.clOPEnglish
      4·
      6 months ago

      I would probably agree if there weren’t so many great games at that price point. I believe games should generally be more expensive, but the existing expectations drag them down.

      I’m also from Chile, and while it is the richest country in South America, it still has a lower income than the average European country.