Video Game Review: What Remains of Edith Finch

Release Year: 2017
Reading Year: WI2023
Developer/Publisher: Giant Sparrow/Anapurna
Time to Beat: 2 Hours

Thoughts: I wrapped up What Remains of Edith Finch at 11:19PM on New Year’s Eve 2023. Perhaps a teary goodbye is exactly what I needed to finish off this year.

I feel submerged in the character of this island. The atmosphere keeps you tense, but not afraid. The narrative figuratively and literally pulls you along from room-to-room as you unravel this family person-by-person, piece-by-piece. The unique exploration and sheer ambiance of this game would be enough to walk through and have their lives revealed. However, the vignettes you are treated to are phenomenal. They push walking sims, and potentially video games, in the way they betray expectations and whisk you away only to return you that much heavier.

It would also have been enough to tell this family’s story. There are enough common themes, major surprises, and unique mediums of narrating that being present would have held me hooked for the two hours. Listening to the calm narration, I am caught in silent horror as I listen to her gentle voice. However, the ending brings us close to a truth few wish to contend with. One in with a 17 year old takes on with the grace of the passing tide. I find myself unwilling and unwanting to let go – as I know what will happen next.

The credits roll.