izigame.me

"You just have to find that spark"
After completing the game, achieving all the achievements, and commissioning a piece of art, I thought it was about time to share my thoughts about this masterpiece. If you want a quick summary, skip down to the TL;DR section. Oh, and of course, this review is completely spoiler-free.
Story:
I have never cried in a game as much as I have for Until Then. That's not to say I cry often, I don't, and I can't remember the last time a video game brought me to such tears or tears at all. Throughout the story, and while I can't go into detail to avoid spoilers, I have never felt so closely tied to characters in a game before. The writing is unbelievable; the characters and their respective woes, joys, fears, and arcs had such an impact on me. They feel very real, very human, and their age is so authentically. Many games struggle with writing younger characters, but Until Then manages to depict them incredibly well, often making me resonate with their actions.
This connection allows you to step into their shoes, and even if the story doesn't directly relate to you, I'm positive there’s a theme or meaning that will resonate. The story concludes in such a satisfying way. There are no missing answers, no cliffhanger, just a natural and fulfilling ending that feels right.
Of course, we can't forget the themes of the story. Love, life, and friendship are central, supported by several minor themes that deepen the narrative. These universal themes allow anyone to connect with the story, learn from the characters' struggles, and grow as a person. Until Then does touch on some sensitive topics, which I feel is worth mentioning. However, this should not discourage you from playing the game. It presents these themes in a meaningful way and ultimately delivers a positive ending that beautifully ties everything together.
Gameplay:
Before I continue, I’d like to point out that this game is labeled as a visual novel. While some players seek deep gameplay mechanics, this is primarily a story-driven experience. While it does have interactive moments, the narrative takes center stage. This should be kept in mind, as it may not be for everyone. However, it is a story that everyone can appreciate.
That said, Until Then offers plenty of interactive moments. The player engages primarily through dialogue options that influence short-term character responses. Additionally, there are various mini-games, each unique, with some repeating. To name a few: inserting a flash drive, playing piano tiles, inserting a flash drive, skill-based races, inserting a flash drive, darts, and many more. While these mini-games aren't essential to the story, they kept me engaged and evoked nostalgic memories of playing games with my siblings, competing over every little thing. That nostalgia was just utterly fantastic.
The in-game phone is also a major element. Characters frequently text each other, and you can choose your responses with little quirks that add personality. There’s also a ‘Facebook’-like social media platform where you can comment, like, and share posts, view user profiles, and more. This added a wonderful sense of immersion and was one of the first major hooks for me.
World:
Set in the Philippines after a large-scale natural disaster, Until Then manages to make its world feel alive and buzzing with energy. Right from the start, you’ll notice cultural references and Philippine-inspired landscapes beautifully visualized. Vendors talk to you, there’s classic Philippine food, and you’ll explore diverse locations like the inner-city streets, coastal towns, loving homes, and grassy plains.
A significant part of the game includes exploring your phone, as mentioned earlier. This further develops the world by diving into the lives of various side characters, stores, and political news. The latter is especially important, providing clues and context about what has happened, how the country is rebuilding, and what lies ahead. The world never feels stagnant; there’s constant movement, change, and impact as everything seems to bump, crash, ripple and all effecting each other. :)
Visuals:
A world needs beautiful visuals to fully immerse the player, and Until Then delivers. The game’s primary pixel-art style has a distinct charm, while some important scenes feature more detailed pixel art. While it may not match the hyper-detailed, or semi-realistic style of some modern games, it never feels lacking, not even in the slightest. The characters’ expressions, postures, and movements are all carefully crafted, making them feel incredibly real. This 'realness' draws you even closer to the characters, deepening the emotional connection you end up forming.
Beyond the characters, the world itself feels alive. The game’s side-view perspective allows the artists to build scenes with meticulous detail, adding small nuances that might go unnoticed. Yet, these minor details collectively bring the world to life. As the story’s core premise reveals itself (which I unfortunately can’t spoil), this attention to detail becomes even more remarkable.
Music Design:
Perhaps the most phenomenal aspect of this game is the music. Where music can evoke deep feelings, Until Then excels beautifully. Kyle Patrick Naval, the mastermind behind the soundtrack, managed to reach a deep part of my soul. While dialogue takes the foreground, the music fills the background, not just as noise, but as an emotional amplifier. Each track elevates the scene's emotions, whether depicting hardship, joy, or loss.
When you finish the story and revisit the soundtrack, each song feels like a flood of memories, where you know exactly which scene it's from. Beyond that, the music is soothing and serene (well, except for "Running/Chasing," a few other 'intense' ones). If you're ever feeling stressed, anxious, or just need to unwind, this playlist is perfect. And of course, listening to the very same songs the moment of this writing.
TL;DR:
To conclude, Until Then is a masterpiece of a visual novel. If you're looking for gameplay-heavy mechanics, this isn’t it. But if you love a powerful story, this is one of the best you’ll experience. You will grow attached to these characters, their problems will feel real, their sadness will feel immense, but, and most importantly, their joy will feel heartfelt. If you want a game that will truly make you feel and reflect on love, life, and friendship, this is it.
That's all from me! I hope you enjoyed this little review. I believe Until Then deserves all the love, praise, and attention possible, and I feel blessed to have experienced it. Thanks for listening, and hopefully see you in my next review.
Until then.
10.1/10