Seasons after Fall is a puzzle game that has you control a poor fox who just happens to wander in the area and is implanted with a spiritual being. The being talks about how the lands are falling into dire need of awakening the spirits of old and it requires the use of changing seasons. By default you play in Fall/Autumn and will encounter blockades as a certain season will require you to do something special to get beyond the blocked area. The fox really is not treated very well, and you will encounter shifts in attitude and eventually his death. It will make sens after you perform the first major ritual, so spolier/no spolier.
As with any puzzle game, it is all about figuring out what to do and when, but some of the puzzles are handed to you on a silver platter and you feel like you are watching an interactive movie. The season changes help by freezing a lake so the fox can run over it, or when there is a seed in the dirt, the rain from spring will help it grow. As you approach a few of the puzzles the game tosses a few narrative hints, but that kind of makes the puzzle too easy. There are also platforming sections where you have to find pieces of the "quest", but the game's level design may have you roam around and it can be easy to get turned around.
The game itself is beautiful, and the palette shifts are everything, but really the only variation in how it looks. The whole game takes place in a forest, so there really is only so much you can do with visuals. The seasons beautify the surroundings, and make each of the four seem to alter the world just enough to prevent it from being too bland. The cool blues from winter really compliment the bright red trees that show up when the season changes to fall or summer.
The story is pretty decent, but nothing to write home about. Sometimes it will have a good set of monologues, but generally it is rather dull and could be turned completely off, except bits that tell you where to go. The female voice actor is kind of condescending and really turns you off, but the others are really well done. The bear is very gruff and I could actually see them as a spiritual bear. You will unlock different looks for your fox as you progress and try to harmonize with the seasons. Due to everything looking the same, I also believe that after each ritual you play the game's levels again, with some variations.
The music is very soothing and relaxing, and only makes marginal changes as needed. Since there are no real fights in the game, there are no major combat transitions with music and fx. When there are events that require you to grow trees or perform so major objective, the music shifts and it is as beautiful as the event that takes place.
Review Note: The reviewer of this title purchased the title at their own expense. This does not affect the content of the review or its final grade.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
The graphics are mostly painted sequences that have palette shifts when you change the season, which is really cool. They do look bland after the initial "cool factor" goes away after changing the seasons a dozen or so times.
The music is very melodic and flows well with what you are doing. The barration work is forgettable and the only part of the sound that takes a hit.
They are decent and work well enough that a toddler can figure them out. Quick left/right movements can create missed jumps though.
There really is not much to replay unless you really want to see everything again.
PROS / CONS
- Melodic music coupled with great imagery.
- No pressure game play, it is a puzzler.
- Easy to get turned around and no real "help" navigation.
- Slowly lose interest as the game does not really get better than first area.
