A Space for the Unbound opens with a fairytale, one about friendship, loss, and self-acceptance that quickly frames a big-brother relationship between small town teenager Atma and budding storyteller Nirmala. Soon, Atma is thrust out of his routine and into a dream-induced series of surreal breaks in reality, forcing him to find the truth about the many people in his quaint waterfront city and his supposed girlfriend Raya. A Space for the Unbound spares no time creating a suspenseful mystery adventure, but paces its 11 hour runtime with surprisingly emotional and complex beats that tell a larger narrative that culminates in one of the more subtle powerhouses of 2023.
Mainly, A Space for the Unbound takes the form of a traditional point and click adventure game, running around the small, but dense town in order to pick up various items and clues to progress your investigation into the truth behind strange events. Apart from the standard dialogue and item interactions, Atma can use an ability called Spacedive, which allows him to inhabit the subconscious mind of its target and change their heart not unlike the Persona series. In contrast to the charming tight-knit community of the town, Spacedives present a more raw and unhinged interpretation of the psyche of your neighbors and enemies. Many of the game's most inventive ideas are explored within the depths of the mind and Atma as a vessel for change transforms him into an engaging protagonist, especially as he begins to consider if changing the desires of those around him is manipulative and wrong. The entire game wrestles with difficult moral dillemmas and despite a seemingly singular ending, the game give you the shadow of choice and agency.
One of the most staggering elements of A Space for the Unbound is in its presentation; a gorgeous rendition of 1980s Indonesia portrayed in a variety of pixel art setpieces and sonic landscapes. The soundtrack is an absolute standout, with incredible range from catchy earworms to heart-wrenching supporting pieces to the game's heavier moments. The dialogue is a masterclass in realistic conversation, while not losing some goofy and downright hilarious beats of writing (a standout is a quiz-obsessed trio of fellow students). The only exception to the game's flawless exterior is a lack of voice acting, which in my opinion could have been the setup to one of the most incredible performances in games.
A Space for the Unbound is not a game I really want to talk much about in premise. It's much more worth taking it all in on blind faith and discovering the charm on your own terms. Whether you fall in love with the charming cast or just like one of the many side activities like collecting bottle caps or petting every cat, there is a lot to love with this game, and it's something you need to check off your bucket list.
Mainly, A Space for the Unbound takes the form of a traditional point and click adventure game, running around the small, but dense town in order to pick up various items and clues to progress your investigation into the truth behind strange events. Apart from the standard dialogue and item interactions, Atma can use an ability called Spacedive, which allows him to inhabit the subconscious mind of its target and change their heart not unlike the Persona series. In contrast to the charming tight-knit community of the town, Spacedives present a more raw and unhinged interpretation of the psyche of your neighbors and enemies. Many of the game's most inventive ideas are explored within the depths of the mind and Atma as a vessel for change transforms him into an engaging protagonist, especially as he begins to consider if changing the desires of those around him is manipulative and wrong. The entire game wrestles with difficult moral dillemmas and despite a seemingly singular ending, the game give you the shadow of choice and agency.
One of the most staggering elements of A Space for the Unbound is in its presentation; a gorgeous rendition of 1980s Indonesia portrayed in a variety of pixel art setpieces and sonic landscapes. The soundtrack is an absolute standout, with incredible range from catchy earworms to heart-wrenching supporting pieces to the game's heavier moments. The dialogue is a masterclass in realistic conversation, while not losing some goofy and downright hilarious beats of writing (a standout is a quiz-obsessed trio of fellow students). The only exception to the game's flawless exterior is a lack of voice acting, which in my opinion could have been the setup to one of the most incredible performances in games.
A Space for the Unbound is not a game I really want to talk much about in premise. It's much more worth taking it all in on blind faith and discovering the charm on your own terms. Whether you fall in love with the charming cast or just like one of the many side activities like collecting bottle caps or petting every cat, there is a lot to love with this game, and it's something you need to check off your bucket list.