SEASON: A letter to the future

A gorgeous game that lets you explore ideas of nostalgia and coming to peace with things ending. Characters immediately capture you, whether through their brilliant designs, or their unique take on (the end of) the world, or just the fact that they'd be perfect to photograph [i]just there[/i]. The freedom you're given to take the game at your own pace is so wonderful -- you can take as long as you want, but your built-in ability to take notes and visual reminders means you'll never forget what you're up to. If I had one gripe with the game, it's that I wish we could have written our own things in the scrapbook now and then, but I understand why that's a freedom we weren't given. This game's artistic force is so strong, the voice of the main character so clearly written, that to give the player a blank page would diminish that character somewhat. I found this game through Jacob Geller's video on "Art in the Pre-Apocalypse", then promptly forgot about it for a couple of years so that I had a chance to forget the spoilers discussed in the video. I don't think I needed to -- this game stands so strongly in its essence that to be "spoiled" is really no big deal. You could know the plot of SEASON back to front, inside out, upside down, and still not understand what makes it incredible without experiencing it. This game knows what it wants to do, and lets you do it in Your way. Play this game if you want an excuse to meditate. Play this game if you played Disco Elysium and were enraptured to the concept of the Pale. Play this game if you're missing someone, or something, or somewhen. Play this game if you want to look at the world with new eyes.

Gorgeous game. Played leisurely across the Deck and PC and beat it in just under 4 hours, though I didn't get two achievements. The game offers a lot to contemplate, and feels like a visual novel in much of its experience.

Beautiful slow paced game, great for relaxing and just sinking into the story and the world being shown.

A gorgeous meditation on collective and individual memory (and forgetting), as well as the ways that we organize and curate histories to preserve them. It feels a bit politically sanded-down and uncritical, likely to preserve its impeccably pleasant vibes. There are also moments of unexpected depth. And the act of documenting, curating, and arranging your records of each site is deeply satisfying.

One of the most serene, beautiful, and impactful games I've played. The journal feature is implemented so perfectly and is just a joy to fill out. The world-building is so unique and gives you enough info, while still being a little mysterious. The landscapes, character designs, sound design, and story were gorgeous. I cried twice <3

One of the best atmospheric games I've played, almost perfect, although too short

Very peaceful and beautiful game! if you are a traveler, you will not be disappointed.

art style of the decade