Until Then Reviews

This game really hit me emotionally, the writing was amazing and the characters were something that I could never let go. It all feels really deep and it kinda saddens me that I don't get to experience this masterpiece for the first time again

I played this for about an hour after I first bought it based largely on its stellar reviews. At that time, in gamer parlance, I bounced off it: I'd had the impression it was just going to be another coming-of-age story, and being well beyond my teenage years and having actually lived life, that didn't seem overly interesting. I shut it down and left it where it was. ...and then, unable to fall asleep one night, I fired it back up on the steam deck and decided to give it another hour to get as good as its rating suggested. And I'm glad I did, because I played it as time allowed for about 2 straight weeks and it ended up being among my favorite stories. I still think about it, and I wish I could play it again for the first time. I refuse to spoil a single thing, even using spoiler redaction; if there's even a possibility you may play this one day, don't do any research. Be careful with reviews. Go in totally blind. To that end, I've only a few short comments: The game isn't perfect, although my chief complaint is purely mechanical: resource loading is slower than one would expect, and the devs apparently decided all resources should load simultaneously while the player just sits there in silence with a black screen. That might be fine, except this is a VN, not some metroidvania, and there are such poignant moments where the music is totally part and parcel of the scene rather than just some background pleasantry; the abruptness of the resource swap can be jarring. If the devs simply separated out audio resource loading with fades rather than hard stops/starts, it would be a massive improvement. The mini games aren't great, as is not infrequently the case with visual novels; this ain't 999 / Virtue's Last Reward in that department. This is worth noting, but it's a minor gripe because that's not the emphasis here. Otherwise, the game is wonderful. The writing is extremely well done, the art / direction is great, and the music.. man, the music. I often play games muted while I have something else on in the background, but at some point early on, I started giving this game my full attention and I'm glad I did. I can't even imagine playing this without the sound up in retrospect, so much so that it's prompted me to change how I'll play these kinds of games in the future. On the most positive and obviously important note: the story... the writing, and the story. This... isn't a particularly happy or consistently upbeat game, although I can't really expand on that without spoiling anything. But it's real, and it's honest, and it's surprisingly mature in its approach to very real things. It doesn't pull punches, and it doesn't lean on any puerile artificiality that might infect a similar story told by lesser minds. I'm not going to say I cried, because as a grown man, that's just crazy and I'd definitely never do such a crazy thing even if it were possible for a man to cry, which it's not as science has conclusively proven. But I.. definitely, ah.. "choked up" many times. Choked up like a baby. I read a lot, and I enjoyed this more than any book I've read in recent memory. Whether or not you do the same, buy it and play it; treat it like a book you might otherwise be reading in bed. It'll stay with you for a long time.

I don't really write reviews about games, and I don't play much visual novels either, but this game is really good. Yes, it is slow-paced, and its just a casual story at first, but I enjoyed every chapter of this game, especially when [spoiler]the world started falling apart with each "lifetime", buildings getting more and more damaged, and complete apocalypse when people started forming their own survival camps, just really shows the scale of destruction that was happening[/spoiler]. And because this game is not short, you really start to worry about characters and get invested in story. The ending is probably not what most players wanted to see, but it pretty much explained a lot of things, tied up loose ends and ended the story. IMPORTANT: just keep playing the game after the credits, it's a continuation of the game, not restart.

Just finished this game and I have to say this is a love letter to visual novels. It has great interactive components that keep you engaged and a beautiful story. You feel like you grow with the characters and you feel bittersweet with how far they have come. I will definitely be thinking about this game for a while. Soundtrack is terrific as well as the art. Honestly, I can write so much more of what this game brings but it is up to you to try it for yourself. 10/10

It has been years since I last enjoy a fascinating game like that. The marvelous story was truly appealing and it's so astonishing to wonder how every single choice I made can change the entire story line. The SMS system in the game is truly a perfect addition that makes the game experience more immersive. Even after completing the game, I feel there are still lots of possibilities and hidden details within the story waiting to be uncovered. If you are someone who is interested in visual novels, trust me, this game won't let you down. It's a complete masterpiece that demonstrates love, friendship, family affection and dream. 10/10

No matter how much we want to .... We'll never truly understand someone else. Not entirely But that's part of understanding, isn't it? To misunderstand. To writhe ..... To struggle .... To fail ..... but still. Somehow ..... Our desire to understand .... To connect. To belong .... To forgive .... To grieve .... To accept Its gotten us father than we once thought. We place trust in ourselves ... in each other. And. In the end. Despite everything. We keep tying. We play along. We get along just fine. The world hasn't ended yet.

Spent around 20-30% of my total playtime crying. 11/10 game and story.

It's been over a month, and I'm still struggling to find the right words to convey how I felt. I don't think I've ever played a game that affected me as emotionally as this had. Until Then is a coming of age story set in the Philippines revolving around the day to day life of high schoolers, and the fears and uncertainties often experienced around that age. The witty banter between the cast feels incredibly realistic, seeming as if you're actually talking to a long time friend. I absolutely adored the way social media was implemented, having the ability to interact with posts, with occasional callbacks to some actions later in the story. The smatterings of news articles (that you can actually read) do an amazing job of building up the world; from certain happenings that you find referenced later on, to panels detailing all manners of traditional Filipino street food. There's even a segment later where you'll get to "tusok-tusok the fishballs." So many of these minute details make the world feel that much more real and alive. The atmosphere, coupled with the soundscape of the city blend together to create a delightfully immersive experience. From the flickering store signs to the dimly lit alleyways, it genuinely felt like I was transported back to my hometown. Past the beautifully crafted world and sprites made with love, is a touching, heartbreaking and bittersweet story. It's a roller-coaster of emotions throughout, you find yourself cheering for the cast to feeling saddened amidst the pathos. At the time where I'm dealing with loss through a plethora of other issues in my life, some of the themes presented hit incredibly hard. I saw so much of my life reflected through the shifting scenes, and finding myself reflecting on aspects of my past, It's an experience that will stick with me for a very long time. The world hasn't ended yet. I've found my spark, I picked up the piano again. Thank you for giving me the push I needed to move forward,

Until Then is truly an underrated masterpiece. I’ve never played a game like this in my life. I swear to God, it's one of the best stories I’ve ever experienced in a game. The narrative is immersive, emotional, and deeply resonant, especially if you can relate to the struggles of the main and side characters. Even as I’m writing this review, I’m getting goosebumps, thinking back to the incredible moments I shared with these characters. The way the game explores themes of love, loss, and personal growth is exceptional. I found myself truly connecting with the characters, and their development was so real and profound that it broke my heart into pieces. I cried multiple times, laughed, and watched these characters evolve in such a beautiful way. This game made me reflect on my own life in ways I didn’t expect. The visual style of the game blends expressive pixel art with 3D environments in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh. The soundtrack is also a big highlight—it perfectly complements the story and enhances the emotional impact of each moment. The choices you make throughout the game have real weight, and they shape the narrative in meaningful ways, which makes each playthrough feel unique. There are also fun mini-games like videoke and piano challenges that offer variety, though some of them can be challenging, especially if you’re not a fan of timing mechanics. But these are just small obstacles in an otherwise perfect experience. In the end, Until Then was a heartfelt, bittersweet journey that will stay with me for a long time, maybe even forever. The emotional depth and rich character development set it apart from other games I’ve played. I would recommend this game to everyone, and I truly hope all my friends get the chance to experience it. Everyone should explore the beauty of this game.

[h2]"You just have to find that spark"[/h2] 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 [b]completely spoiler-free.[/b] [h3]Story:[/h3] 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. [h3]Gameplay:[/h3] 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 [i]is[/i] a story that [b]everyone[/b] 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: [i]inserting a flash drive[/i], playing piano tiles, [i]inserting a flash drive[/i], skill-based races, [i]inserting a flash drive[/i], 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. [h3]World:[/h3] 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, [i]ripple[/i] and all effecting each other. :) [h3]Visuals:[/h3] A world needs beautiful visuals to fully immerse the player, and Until Then [b]delivers[/b]. 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. [h3]Music Design:[/h3] 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. [h3]TL;DR:[/h3] 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. [i]Until then.[/i] 10.1/10