Night in the Woods Review (Scroomers)
To enjoy it completely, Night in the Woods needs a more "patient" kind of appreciation. I've seen reviews giving this game a low score, calling it a "walking simulator", and this overgeneralization could not be any more lazy. This game isn't meant to be another form of mindless entertainment. It's a beautiful experience that requires you to enjoy the little things in life. The charming and relatable characters that you choose to talk to, the countless secrets hidden everywhere for those with enough curiosity, and the spontaneous minigames that serve no purpose other than to make the experience more memorable. Along with that, the music in this game is unbelievably beautiful. I can't put into words how it's impacted me, and that goes for the entire soundtrack as well. All of these qualities create an immaculate experience that could never be replicated, and hearing people brush it aside as "pointless" breaks my heart.
"At the end of everything, hold on to anything"
Despite this theme's presence throughout the game, Night in the Woods ironically taught me to do the opposite. The moment I put down any experience such as this one, I can't help but feel pangs of nostalgia. It's as if I'd just been born and I wanted to be back in the womb. I would normally blame these feelings on maladaptive escapism, wanting to ignore my real life and live someone else's instead, and while that is a part of it, my problem was rooted in something much deeper. I undoubtedly love this game with all my heart, in the same way you would a close relative. Every replay feels like seeing a distant friend after a long time apart. From the safety I feel from tracks like "Home Again", to the support expressed in every line of dialogue with Mae's parents, this game feels like home in every sense of the word. Every time the story comes to a close, I'm devastated to see all of the characters I've bonded with leave. I would spend weeks afterword ruminating on memories I had with this game, and for hours at a time, I'd be stuck in my head wishing I was still experiencing this masterpiece. That was until I realized that, just like with any close relationship you lose, you need to learn to let go. Night in the Woods has taught me so many life lessons and I'll never forget the ways it's changed my life. While I'd love to live in the comfort it gives me when I'm playing it, I know that it can't last forever. Some time apart is what's needed to truly appreciate all it's done for me.
Thank you for everything Alec Holowka.
Rest in peace.