I'll be thinking about this one for a while. There aren't a lot of 3D open world games without combat, and while Season's game world is relatively small, it's make the most out of its short 6-10 hour runtime.
Season's gameplay loop feels novel. Rather than just be a walking simulator, it gives the players creative control to take photos, record sounds, and design journal pages as they see fit. It's a really clever way to tell the game's story while also serving as a visual indicator of the player's progress.
Narratively, Season is more interested in asking questions than it is providing answers. I was impressed by the topics it dealt with and the grace with which it explored those subjects. Like many games with multiple endings, I was worried I might make the wrong choices and get the "bad" ending, but after seeing both endings on YouTube, it doesn't seem like the game purports one to be better than the other. I think that's actually the secret ingredient of the game. It doesn't want to tell the player what to think as much as it just encourages the player to think.
The art direction is gorgeous and often cinematic The music is understated and ambient and compliments the game well. I did find some of the character designs to be inconsistent and out of place at times.
This really is one of those, "what you make of it" type games. Some people will be sure to pass it by quickly, while others may deeply connect with it. Personally, I wish there were more games likes Season.
Tech note: I played this on Steam Deck and it had some issues. Despite being verified, I had to lower the settings to get a decent frame rate and battery life on the Deck. Stick to PS5 and or a high-end PC and it should be fine.
Season's gameplay loop feels novel. Rather than just be a walking simulator, it gives the players creative control to take photos, record sounds, and design journal pages as they see fit. It's a really clever way to tell the game's story while also serving as a visual indicator of the player's progress.
Narratively, Season is more interested in asking questions than it is providing answers. I was impressed by the topics it dealt with and the grace with which it explored those subjects. Like many games with multiple endings, I was worried I might make the wrong choices and get the "bad" ending, but after seeing both endings on YouTube, it doesn't seem like the game purports one to be better than the other. I think that's actually the secret ingredient of the game. It doesn't want to tell the player what to think as much as it just encourages the player to think.
The art direction is gorgeous and often cinematic The music is understated and ambient and compliments the game well. I did find some of the character designs to be inconsistent and out of place at times.
This really is one of those, "what you make of it" type games. Some people will be sure to pass it by quickly, while others may deeply connect with it. Personally, I wish there were more games likes Season.
Tech note: I played this on Steam Deck and it had some issues. Despite being verified, I had to lower the settings to get a decent frame rate and battery life on the Deck. Stick to PS5 and or a high-end PC and it should be fine.