What Remains of Edith Finch

Push SquareGraham Banas

10/10

Republished on Wednesday 1st May 2019: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of May's PlayStation Plus lineup. The original text follows.

VGChartzLee Mehr

9/10

By connecting gameplay & storytelling in such meaningful ways, Giant Sparrow's second title still remains a classic.Reviewer's Note: Although I'll try to be as vague as possible about them, there will be some SPOILERS [...]

XboxEraJon "Sikamikanico" Clarke

9/10

The story itself, narrated to us via Edith as well as other characters and voices as we dive deeper into the family tree, is woven throughout the game, text weaving itself into existence in the air before being blown away by the the tail of a kite, or on the walls and belongings of those that came before; subtly pulling the camera to highlight something relevant before fading from view.

VideogamerColm Ahern

9/10

First-person, narrative-driven games generally follow a pattern. What Remains of Edith Finch plays with those established conventions to create a beautiful story that breaks your heart, while making you smile just as much. A triumph in the genre.

Nintendo LifeLewis White

9/10

What Remains of Edith Finch is a 'Walking Simulator' that doesn’t just tell an unforgettable story – it's genuinely unforgettable. As tragic as its tale is, it always manages to entertain. As one section ends and as you fight back tears, you’ll always carry on, because the next story is as engrossing as the last. If you want a strong feature-length story that doesn’t waste a minute, Edith Finch is the one you need.

Nintendo World ReportJoe DeVader

9/10

To be sure, Edith Finch is a fantastic game that anybody with an interest in narrative experiences should probably try out if they haven’t already. The ability to play the game in handheld mode is an added bonus, as the short length of the game (2-3 hours) makes it perfect for something like a road trip or when trying to show the game to a family member who you think might be interested. With well-acted narration, plenty of variety in terms of gameplay, and a powerful tale that will have you coming back to find any details you might have missed, What Remains of Edith Finch is a must have for…

Gaming NexusKinsey Danzis

9/10

What Remains of Edith Finch knows its niche from the beginning and rarely strays, resulting in a cohesive experience that I was never jolted out of. It elicits the strangest mixture of emotions, and its different modes of storytelling are second to none. The controls don't translate seamlessly from PC to Xbox One, but you don't play this game for the controls; you play for the story, and the story is gripping.

Xbox AchievementsRichard Walker

90/100

A singular work of brilliance, What Remains of Edith Finch is one-of-a-kind; a real breath of fresh air that serves as a welcome reminder of video games' capacity to surprise and tell incredible stories. Stunning.

What Remains of Edith Finch still has the traditional scaffold of a fixed narrative. The player cannot influence either the individual arcs nor indeed the ending: in that sense, it plays out like a book or a film. But a scaffold is just a device to allow what really matters to spread its wings, to take you deep into that other realm, where the imagination and gameplay come together. What Edith Finch has achieved on a whole new level is an overarching brilliance and consistency of both theme and gameplay, in how the two seamlessly intertwine and feed off each other. I strongly expect that this…

Press StartJames Berich

8/10

What Remains of Edith Finch is an example of an inventive and engaging experience that both aligns with the traditional definition of what a ‘game’ can be, and yet also seeks to challenge it. The story can be cliché at times, and sometimes the symbolism lacks subtlety, but what’s offered here is a perfect blend of bittersweet themes and motifs. It’s linear, but it’s enjoyable and intriguing enough to demand your attention for its perfect run time.

The Punished BacklogDavid Silbert

Unscored

In our What Remains of Edith Finch review, learn whether this long-awaited adventure game from Giant Sparrow leaves a lasting impression.

Checkpoint GamingLuke Mitchell

Unscored

What Remains of Edith Finch is a poignant, understated tale that has a strong message of family and what it means to belong. As the each thought plays out and words flutter delicately across the screen, blending with the scenery, the exploration of a house that has been truly lived in becomes so much more than just a walking simulation that these slow-burn stories are often accused of. By the end of the experience, I felt touched, with some moments truly staying with me in my thoughts for day...