Review cover SEASON: A letter to the future (Computer)
Official GBAtemp Review

Product Information:

  • Release Date (NA): January 31, 2023
  • Release Date (EU): January 31, 2023
  • Publisher: Scavengers Studio
  • Developer: Scavengers Studio
  • Genres: Adventure, exploration
  • Also For: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

Game Features:

Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Hop on your bike and explore the great outdoors for the first time before the season changes in SEASON: A letter to the future. Will it be a memorable ride?

attachFull349366

A bike ride at the end of times

Your friend Pâté’s vision proved to be prophetic, as identified by the village Elder: the end of the season is near and, lest it be recorded by you, this current season will be lost in time. This is the task she sets you on as you leave the village for the first time; and so, equipped with your instant camera, audio recorder and journal, you set off on an exploratory bike ride at the end of a season.

attachFull349368

Review image Review image

Stress-free exploration

If there’s one word to describe SEASON: A letter to the future, it’s ‘cosy’. The coupling of its cel-shaded aesthetic, expansive and gorgeous landscapes, and chilled soundtrack, the tone is set for a stress-free experience. 

attachFull349373

Review imageReview imageReview image

This combination works well with the game’s focus on exploration without any worries of combat (or a game over screen). Shortly after the opening sequence, you’ll have access to a bicycle that you can ride as you explore the expansive outdoors.

You’ll take snapshots of eye-catching sights, record sounds from your environment, and learn more about the outside world by conversing with some colourful NPCs. Some of the latter will hint at where you can venture forth next but exploration can be performed in an open-ended fashion without any time constraints.

attachFull349374

Review imageReview imageReview image

A “memory recording” mechanic

SEASON builds the intrigue by allowing you to piece your encounters together in your journal to form a memory in what  I call its “memory recording” mechanic. Piecing up these memories is where the “challenge” of the game lies as you’ll need a varying number of pictures and recordings to complete a memory. Some of these require specific audiovisual elements that you will have to identify and capture. 

While not mandatory, they do help flesh out the lore of the game’s universe. This will get you to learn more about the former war, what happened in the previous season and the Grey Hands organisation. It’s an interesting mechanic that blends well with the game’s overall execution.

attachFull349379

Review image Review image

Another layer of “challenge” is with in-game choices that are presented to you during certain conversations. Some might be trivial while others have a heavier impact in the upcoming events. The latter will even shape up the game’s ending and are a welcome touch when it comes to replayability. 

attachFull349382

Review image Review image

A few bumps on the ride

However, this can lead to some rather vague ending, as in the case of my playthrough, which can be divisive as it doesn’t necessarily feel totally cohesive.

Another divisive aspect that I came across has to do with resuming the game from the last save. This can be a bit disorienting as it respawns you next to a checkpoint which might not be exactly where you left off. However, I am not sure if this is an issue with the early build that I had to review that will be fixed upon release.

attachFull349385

While exploration is encouraged, both on foot and on, it might have been handy to have a fast travel option. This is particularly the case in the Tieng Valley region which is where a major chunk of the story and exploration takes place. You’ll be wandering back and forth across the valley to complete some memories that can feel a bit testing.

If not for fast travel, the game might have benefited by sizing down the travel distances as the locales are ultimately limited and the number of NPCs are only a handful.

A minor gripe with controlling the bicycle is that I would occasionally end up in cul-de-sac areas where I cannot move forward unless I get off the bike and get back on a rideable path.

attachFull349387

Review image Review image

Some gripes can also be encountered with the puzzle aspect of the memories. Even if there are some  indicators of what to record or take a snapshot of - a viewpoint, a note or outline in your journal - it's not always obvious what to register in order to complete memories, especially when it comes to hinted outlines in your journal.

While most of these could be overlooked, what mostly impacted my experience was the game’s performance on PC. I tried the game of three systems (albeit not particularly beefy but systems that could handle more demanding games nonetheless) and experienced stuttering, especially in open areas. Hopefully this issue is resolved by the time the game launches on PC as the performance dips have been quite noticeable.

Original and cosy

Overall, SEASON: A letter to the future is an original title that’s easily recommended if you are looking for a cosy, stress-free indie game. Its focus on exploration through a memory-recording mechanic and branching aspect provides decent entertainment during its 8-ish hour runtime, if you can overlook some nagging issues, especially with the PC performance.

SEASON: A letter to the future - CG Story Trailer

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Cosy indie game
  • Gorgeous landscapes
  • Branching aspect of plot
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Some performance issues on PC
  • Certain endings might not be satisfying
  • Completing some memories aren’t always obvious
7
Gameplay
While I encountered performance issues on PC, the stress-free, exploration-focused gameplay is enticing.
8
Presentation
The cosy aspect of SEASON is endearing from its chilled score to its gorgeous cel-shaded landscapes.
7
Lasting Appeal
The branching aspect of the plot with alternate endings based on your choices and the hidden nook and crannies left to explore can lead to subsequent playthroughs, even if some nagging issues will persist.
7.5
out of 10

Overall

Don't hesitate to hop on the (mostly) stress-free bike ride that SEASON: A letter to the future delivers!
I like this resurgence of cel-shaded art style, man.. and i don't want it to stop.
Game looks interesting enough..
 
  • Like
Reactions: Prans
Review cover
Product Information:
  • Release Date (NA): January 31, 2023
  • Release Date (EU): January 31, 2023
  • Publisher: Scavengers Studio
  • Developer: Scavengers Studio
  • Genres: Adventure, exploration
  • Also For: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative

Reviews

  1. Xiaomi has just launched its latest smartphone line, the Xiaomi 14 series. In this series, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is the top-of-the-line model, with a focus on photography and a dedicated Photography Kit to complement this focus. Let’s take a closer look!

  2. Obsidian’s Pentiment is part of a new wave of Xbox games coming to other platforms. Should you try to solve the 16th century murder mystery it presents?

  3. The second iteration of Supernote's compact e-ink notebook, we check out the A6X2 Nomad!

  4. Acting like an NPC has never been more intense

  5. The Aurvana Ace by Creative might look like your regular pair of wireless earbuds but it's the first to pack xMEMS’ solid-state silicon drivers. These are supposed to deliver richer, lifelike...

Site & Scene News

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    straferz @ straferz: Anybody know why this is happening to my ACWW town...