I still have no idea what the title is about (nor the US counterpart Indigo Prophecy) but I’m hugely enjoying this one. Essentially, it’s a story first and a game second. The developers didn’t go “We’re making this genre of game, now let’s tack on a story”. Instead it feels like they fleshed out the story then built successful gameplay systems around it.

You’ve got an advanced QTE (press a direction to continue or fail a cutscene) system ala Shenmue, though you have to press the right direction on both analogue sticks rather than the d-pad. The conversation system involves picking a single word that summarises the essence of your reply (much easier than reading through a choice of sentences). There’s also no inventory nonsense - you either pick up or use something. It all works brilliantly and the characters have more depth to them than the vast majority of games - they have convincing relationships, fears and bakcgrounds and are voiced well. Nothing here is revolutionary but it’s truly the sum of its varied elements which no one thought to throw together in quite this manner before.

I love it. It’s different yet accessible and involving. Not so much a breath of fresh air as a wind tunnel in the Sahara.

Update: Clocked it, still love it. A couple of story elements near the end felt a bit rushed but overall it’s one of the most refreshing games in years. I also didn’t realise the developers also made The Nomad Soul. I’ll have to pick that up now, especially since a sequel is on the way.