Recent reviews by Tomato

I was fully prepared to weep, so I made all the circumstances favorable for my personal boundaries and mental safety. No distractions, no witnesses.

The thing is, this series is very close to me, it feels like it was accompanying me on my path through some of the biggest challenges (yet) and grim thoughts. It feels like it gave me comfort each time, a release for penned emotions.
The Beach episode, which I was sure was heavily concentrated on the topics of loss and grief even before I started the game for the first time, well... It happened that way, that it was released just when I was going through a huge loss, and still am on my grief path that I have to complete on my own, five stages and all. Of course, I would cope, in the end. Everyone does.

And even with the memories of how Finding Paradise helped me through dark times, I was scared to start this. Especially knowing how close to home this might hit.

To my surprise, during the whole episode what I felt was sweet sadness and gratefulness for all the happy memories that these characters built along the way, seeing my own story reflected in those images. I even thought that this might me the only game in the series that doesn't make me shed a tear.

Then the end came.

And as I read the text of the final achievement, all the barriers were broken, and there came the flood.

This is the most ambiguous game in the series so far.
This time I was prepared and replayed all the previous ones before starting it to remind myself why exactly I put this series in such a special place in my heart. Talent and brilliance of Kan Gao progresses each time, delivering more and more refined stories.
I was reminded why To the Moon is once of the best drama stories with the most perfect ending that leaves you thinking about it long after playing.
Then I was reminded how it is possible to get even more personal and intimate in Finding Paradise. I was surprised to see again that Colin's worldview was so similar to mine, and remembered that this was maybe why I needed to play that game at that particular time.
Years after, dealing with my psychological issues for a while, and this time not only by playing proper games, all of this is still precious to me. Even the SigCorp episodes, developing the world and the beloved characters, and leaving desiring for more.

Then Impostor Factory releases after a long time of development, filled with funny twits and mock teasers.
And it is very different. VERY different.
On one hand, it is more realistic and dramatic as ever. More cinematic, yet even less interactive.
On the other hand it is waay more goofy and absurd as the series dared to be so far.
How Kan Gao managed to marry those two different games together in one splendid soup of sci-fi with a thriller dressing defies reason. Yet still he manages to deliver a great story.

Will you like it if you liked previous games? Very likely. Even if it doesn't seem that way, it does develop the meta plot.
Will it help to improve your mental state? Highly unlikely. The story is way too realistic and dark in a way only something close to life can be.
Is it a good game worth buying? Absolutely.
What is the deal with the long cat? Well, actually, it's

It took me about 5 years to complete this game. So thanks to self-isolation, I was finaly able to do so, and this is just the best escapism treat there is. Absolutely glorious in every aspect.
The expansions are even better, surprisinly so.

If you let it, this game could tell you an amazing detective story.
Or tell you a thought-through history of a unique world.
Or drag you into unending arguements with yourself, usually spiraling into despair and self-loathing.
Or leaving you wordless as you observe a dramatic scene to masterfully written soundtrack.

This is art, folks. One of the best games I have played in years.

Simply the most varied game on Steam. The best and the worst, all by your choise.

This is, simply, the best FPS there is right now. Feels like an infuriatingly hard yet extremely fun amusement park.

This game can resonate with a lot of people. The characters feel very alive, and their story unveils over time to build their image even more deep and so real.
The art feels very comfy and the music is simply awesome.
A good game to dive in.

This is not for everyone. This will make you suffer.
But it is too good to be true.
A dreamlike masterpiece of a tiny indie studio from Russia.

I think this is the most helpful and kind game out there. It is extremely rare to see such a community that just wants to be nice to each other and share not only their problems, but their joy as well.
A cathartic and healing experience with the most appropriate chill music to have it.

First of all, let me confess that I absolutely adore birds. So it's needless to say that this game has caught my eye.
But I had no clue that the story that unveals behind this glorious art accompanied by beautiful classical tunes would be that good.
What started as a nice investigative/courthouse adventure evolved in a full on political drama, with masterfully fleshed-out evolving characters which you come to love.
Surprisingly solid and humorous writing makes this one of the best games I've played in years. Might be the best bird-themed game out there (yes, considerably better than Hatoful Boyfriend).