It's hard to really convey how much VA-11 Hall-A affected me. Its mood, tone, and story all work so well in tandem with each other that even 3 years after playing it for the first time I am struck with deep memories about having played it, and just exactly where I was when I did. A lot of this game was played either at 1 AM in the morning or in the 90-degree weather of a concessions stand at a sleepy pool club. Either place I felt at home and connected to the grimy, depressing, near-hopeless yet joyful, bright, and loving world VA-11 Hall-A presents, but Jill Stingray has little interest in.

Many games I balk at going back to, in fear that what a younger me praised, loved, and resonated with no longer would reach an older me. (I call this the Danganronpa Effect) But I have no fear about it here—just an extraordinary game.