I absolutely adored this game last year, got around to playing it quite a while after launch but couldn't put it down once I started. It follows Mae Borowski's return to her hometown of Possum Springs after flunking out of college. Mae, aimless and struggling with the concept of adulthood returns to see that her friends are largely moving forward with their lives. The town also features a mystery to unravel. Gameplay wise, there's light platforming to traverse the town and social interactions in an almost Persona adjacent style where you pick friends to spend each day / evening with. It's set in the lovely Possum Springs, a rural Rust Belt town that's seen far better times. The characters are all well developed and tremendously likeable. Personally, the story hit home in some regards, but I believe anyone would find it very affecting. Night in the Woods also speaks to some very relevant political issues currently facing America and features some pretty nice LGBTQ representation.
It's a great game but more than that, it's a great October game. It's one of the comfiest games I've ever played. Thinking about it instils that feeling of being wrapped up in a blanket with a hot beverage and no responsibilities for the day. It's set in Pennsylvania, in a super cozy town full of lively characters, trees fully abloom in their fall colors and an art style that really does compliment the autumn atmosphere. The pace of the game moves as slow as you would like it to. If you want to explore and spend every day like it's your last, you're more than able to. There are also loads of touching little side stories and characters to discover.
I don't have the vocabulary to properly describe Alec Holowka's score, but I'll say this, it perfectly captures the mood of the town. The tracks change as the days go on, creating a sense of passing time. Each of the town's locations has its own relaxing or more often, melancholic tune. I've returned to the OST countless times in the year since playing the game.
So yeah, if any of this sounded appealing, definitely check this game out. I expect to be revisiting this title a decade from now.
-Six months or so after release the team bundled some extra content and scenarios that were previously Kickstarter exclusive into the "Night in the Woods Weird Autumn Edition", which is a free update for all who own the game on PC and consoles.
-Night in the Woods is currently 40% off ($12) on Steam and on the Nintendo eshop, but it's also available on PS4, and Xbox One.
-It should take you between 8-14 hours to beat depending on your pace through the game.
At the end of everything, hold on to anything.
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