4.5/5 ★ – liz_velvett's review of What Remains of Edith Finch.

What Remains of Edith Finch is a short, story-based walking sim where you follow Edith as she explores the story of her supposedly cursed family through the eyes of her family members and discovers how they died. It was definitely a good experience, but I can recognise it’s not for everyone. The story is interesting, well-written, and emotional. The concept of a family followed by death is really interesting, and while some stories are thrilling, others feel more like the game is trying to shove family lore in your face (Odin is a great example of this). Themes like death, grief, mental illness, childhood innocence, and escapism are handled in a shocking way (in a good way). At times, it feels less like you’re playing a game and more like you’re watching a series of short stories. The game leaves a lot of things open, so there’s room for many theories. Story: 08/10 The visuals are easily one of the strongest aspects of the game. Every room in the Finch house is full of detail and we can clearly see the devs had a thought behind every little thing, and each story has its own visual style, which keeps things from feeling repetitive. The house feels like a living museum, mainly because Edith never touches any of the things in the rooms. Visuals and sound: 09/10 Gameplay-wise, there’s not much to do since it’s a walking sim. Most of the time, you’re just walking, interacting with objects, and occasionally pressing a button to trigger the next part of the story. While the game does try to vary mechanics during certain sequences, they’re very simple and don’t offer much challenge or excitement. If you’re looking for engaging or dynamic gameplay, this game will probably feel boring. As I said before, “At times, it feels less like you’re playing a game and more like you’re just watching a series of short stories.” Gameplay: 03/10 The game is extremely easy. There’s no challenge, no puzzles that require real thinking, and no risk of getting stuck. It’s clearly made to be accessible and story-focused, so difficulty is almost nonexistent. Anyone can complete it. Difficulty: 01/10 Overall, What Remains of Edith Finch is a well-made narrative experience with beautiful visuals and a strong atmosphere, but very limited gameplay. It’s worth playing if you enjoy story-driven games and don’t mind minimal interaction. Definitely not worth full price for everyone, but a solid choice on sale if you’re in the mood for something calm and reflective rather than exciting. Overall: 08/10