Official Review Computer

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

Name: SEASON: A letter to the future
Item: SEASON: A letter to the future
Rating: 7.5
Author: Prans

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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Gameplay

While I encountered performance issues on PC, the stress-free, exploration-focused gameplay is enticing.

Presentation

The cosy aspect of SEASON is endearing from its chilled score to its gorgeous cel-shaded landscapes.

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!

Reactions: CoolMe, KingVamp, Shape and 2 others

BigOnYa
Jan 26, 2023

That artwork style kinda reminds me of the TV show "The Boondocks"

Reactions: Allen-R and urbanman2004

raxadian
Jan 26, 2023

BigOnYa said:
That artwork style kinda reminds me of the TV show "The Boondocks"

Same, that makes me worry if the tone won't be the same as that show.

Reactions: BigOnYa

I actually like "The Boondocks"... But this game def isn't giving me Huey and Riley Freeman vibes.

CoolMe
Jan 27, 2023

I like this resurgence of cel-shaded art style, man.. and i don't want it to stop.
Game looks interesting enough..

Reactions: Prans

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Product Information:

Game Features:

A bike ride at the end of times

Stress-free exploration

A “memory recording” mechanic

A few bumps on the ride

Original and cosy

SEASON: A letter to the future - CG Story Trailer

Verdict

Overall

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