Really gorgeous work here. The cutscenes, backgrounds and maps are all stunning, consistent, and very intentional. The music is captivating. All of it serves the story which is spare, thoughtful, and bittersweet. It's largely a "walking simulator” and is, I think, a really good example of the immersive narrative capabilities of that form when it's done well.
I haven't played The Year After yet so I don't know if the story is related, but ERF stands on its own. It takes place in a vision of the future that is vivid and detailed without being overburdened with exposition. The player always has just enough information to understand the emotional weight of what's happening.
The ROM I played (on a physical GBC) didn't seem to have save capabilities, or anything mapped to the Select and Start buttons, but fortunately I played this at a rare moment where I could take my time with the story and still finish it uninterrupted. I recommend playing the whole thing in one sitting. And don't rush through dialogue—this game communicates a lot with very little text!
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Bought the Game and I am so excited to Play! What about an Analogue Pocket Version of the Game? World be nice!
Ok done! It's in the zip now.
bro. This is art. Was hoping the ending wasn’t going to be what it was 🥲
i like it
Really gorgeous work here. The cutscenes, backgrounds and maps are all stunning, consistent, and very intentional. The music is captivating. All of it serves the story which is spare, thoughtful, and bittersweet. It's largely a "walking simulator” and is, I think, a really good example of the immersive narrative capabilities of that form when it's done well.
I haven't played The Year After yet so I don't know if the story is related, but ERF stands on its own. It takes place in a vision of the future that is vivid and detailed without being overburdened with exposition. The player always has just enough information to understand the emotional weight of what's happening.
The ROM I played (on a physical GBC) didn't seem to have save capabilities, or anything mapped to the Select and Start buttons, but fortunately I played this at a rare moment where I could take my time with the story and still finish it uninterrupted. I recommend playing the whole thing in one sitting. And don't rush through dialogue—this game communicates a lot with very little text!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Because it is so short I wasn't sure whether or not to put in a save system but I may still add that in.
I hope you enjoy The Year After too!