Three Days to Chicago Reviews

I love liminal spaces, and this is the sort of visual novel that finds comfort in that. The primary plot points are about taking a train trip (in a country where that is notable and considered inefficient), deciding your relationship to work, and how to approach a stranger you've just met. But more broadly speaking it wants to explore navigating major turning points in life, taking time to figure yourself out, and in a medium full of the fantastical and melodramatic, allowing for a slower beat to communicate something a bit more mundane and yet no less important to how we progress through life.

Want a whirlwind romance is a modern, realistic setting? This is the game for you. It’s a short game – about 3 hours of game time and broadly speaking – a dating simulator. That said, as a gay bear living in San Francisco it had the right vibe. Dating is many things to many people but if you like that hopeful anxious feeling, that desire and surprise, the fantasy of controlling your work, your life, your destiny, then this game will take you there. If only for awhile.

First up: My play time isn't just few minutes as it might appear. As, how fittingly, I played the game last December when I took the train to visit my parents. The train ride didn't took Three Days but I had a 3hrs+ part where I could use my Steam Deck and played the game. From start to the last station. And as others have mentioned: It's a warm, comforting little gem that hit many boxes for me. I could relate to many of the scenes that happened there. To some degree I've been on the same boat.. well train.. as the main character here. And -GOSH- I somehow wished that I had the guts in real life to act the same as I did in the game on some - mostly work related - decisions. And that's what I want from a visual novel. Something that's still on your mind even weeks after playing it.

I just played this game and I found it to be an incredibly moving story about 2 people meeting in the isolating environment of a multi-day train trip, told through photographs and text. I found the pacing to be excellent and very evocative of a long trip. The timing of background photo progression does a major amount of lifting here. The higher speed of character photo transitions contrasts nicely with the deliberate background pace, giving focus to the character interactions without detracting from the text, which is really the meat of the game. And the text is wonderful. The both main characters are written with a sense of honesty and vulnerability that I find very refreshing. Even though the stakes of player choices are much smaller than standard video game fare, I found myself agonizing over whether I should respond to a text, or which book to read (though the choice of movie to watch was a no-brainier). Strongly recommended if you like an intimate narrative. Very well written and executed. You can finish in a couple of hours, but it feels very complete and satisfying.

I love "Lost in Translation," a movie about two people outside of their normal lives in a moment of transition; and this game is the closest I've felt those same sensations in an interactive setting. The music is FANTASTIC, some of the choices I had to make hit home, some of the writing deeply hit home, and I'm glad I played it as I did, when I did. I lingered on some screens for a long time, living in the moment, listening to the great atmospheric melodies. I want to go back and see how things might've played different at some points... but for now, my three day Labor Day weekend was also a three day train trip to Chicago, and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Kudos to dev Chris Schroyer for putting so much of himself into this. I strongly hope if you're in the reviews, seeing if this is for you, you pick it up, because it is. Great story, great visuals, great pace, great music. Won't have anything else quite like it in your gaming history.

A bite-size experience with a point of view. I can easily say I've never played a game like this before. Took about 90 minutes to finish 1 playthrough at a fast reading pace. It approaches relationships very differently than your standard "dating sim". More mature, more nuanced, more realistic. It's clear that this game is the result of someone's lived life experiences and it's also a surprisingly wholesome story overall. I found John to be the most relatable character in the game for me. Also, perhaps the most realistic portrayal of working in the games industry I've ever seen in a game. Spot on, flat-out PTSD triggering.

Great bite-sized interactive novel about a chance encounter on a three day train trip. The narrative choices were very relatable and hit close to home on more than one occasion. The soundtrack pairs well with the dialogue and sets up the relaxed and contemplative atmosphere that the setting generates. I'll definitely be giving this a few playthroughs to see some of the other branches I missed.

I went into it thinking it was a straightforward love story but it caused me to reflect on things that are happening in my life right now. I absolutely loved it and can't wait to see what happens if I make different choices. The pace was just right and it's the music puts you in a very relaxed state. This is the kind of game that helped me unwind. And Paul....well....:)

Keites is on a slump. They are overworked and lonely. Maybe a long train ride will help them gain perspective? It is up to you! Guide them thought their multiple choices along the trip to uncover their true destination. This is a quick cozy game best played on a rainy afternoon with a cat on your lap and a warm drink. The mellow atmospheric soundtrack is very relaxing. Who knows, maybe after paying you want to put on your pants, head out to the local watering well, and start conversation with a friendly stranger. Take the chance.

This game felt so wonderful to play. It's like a long warm hug for the soul. It's beautiful writing, fantastic characters, and incredibly vibe-y soundtrack offer the perfect escape into a world where you can focus on an intimate story of discovery and if you are open to it, love. This is a game I will come back time and time again and see what new things I can discover about the characters and myself.