Sublime! With characters at its core, Mutazione has some of the most refreshing grounded storytelling I've ever experienced. Both visually & narratively-arresting, it's affecting in surprising ways.
Ashtray skies and a mutant surprise.
SUB-LIME. Can I just leave the review there? Will you buy it if I do? Best not risk it, I suppose. I can't quite afford to pay for every sale this game deserves like some kind of financially contrariwise Jeff Bezos.
Blood is thicker than seawater.
Mutazione must be the the kookiest injection of pure humanity in existence. Its sheer confidence to dominate proceedings with just these very slow human moments, experiences, interactions and relationships (some of the most grounded and well-written I've hitherto seen) and weave that in with its offbeat world and supernatural concepts. I mean... it's just staggering to me. By virtue of our protagonist in Kai being ultra switched-on and suspicious of the otherworldliness of the island, this weaving is immersively and near-flawlessly executed . Dialogue is never merely functional, but always finely-crafted, natural flowing conversations. Who says gameplay has to be king when we're presented with something of this sheer quality otherwise!
The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.
Mutazione's denizens, true to its name, largely don't appear human anymore, but that didn't stop me from being enriched to high heaven in a very human understanding of each of them. Point at any one of them and I could leap into lengthy readings of each character - their hopes and dreams, relationships with other characters, hang-ups and traumas, etc. With its small island life, Mutazione casts a laser-focus spotlight on its small cast. I learnt names quickly, never lost track and was always invested. Most importantly, rather than allowing the plot to wander me away from such a strength, it manages to stick the landing on its central mysteries whilst keeping it linked to the dramas that hooked me in the first place.
An alonely jelly.
But what... is it? With its open 3D exploration of the island, the name of the game is predominantly simply interacting with the island's incumbents as the days progress in a staggered way - after 'primary interactions' of Kira's invaluable journal are fulfilled. The journal doubles up as great insight into Kira's mind, detailing retrospective thoughts on each major encounter and event. Mutazione sidesteps what could have seemed like overwhelming linearity by shifting characters with the time of the day so that you can proceed to explore freely and systematically 'make the rounds' - consuming every last drop of Mutazione essence you can. Having to pay these (admittedly optional) social visits repeatedly in the different day shifts and most often to the same places throughout is as big a criticism as you'll see me level at Mutazione (aside from one other). There's no denying seeking out characters after each 'reset' can be a repetitive one, however much it was my sheer love for the interactions each time that compelled me over mere obligation! Mutazione was at its best for me when I felt I was seeking opportunities out - using previous conversations as primers outside of the journal to catch up with someone. Mutazione also does everything it can to limit any tedium by having each day come alive with new events, be it the Tuesday BBQ, a boat ride through the swamps or a float in the lake. No one is ever just standing around at your behest to be interacted with. Even when they appear to be, it's rendered into a meaningful character moment.
I could make my own 'Where's Kai?' book.
You're not a mere observer, however. Binary dialogue options are peppered endlessly throughout with all the slight impacts and false choices that come associated. I have no idea what the consequences of dialogue are (if any) between days on your exchanges, but it does a wonderful job of permitting you to carve some personality out for Kai. My overuse of joking in a conversation (or possibly previous) had a character recommend I tone it down when I speak to the next. Mutazione excels at the details. However, only through a replay might I get a better grip of the flexibility here.
As a big horizon-starer myself, this game has me virtually covered.
Then there is the garden creation, which is unfortunately more narratively-entwined than I expected and less a dynamic mechanical fascination to be explored on your terms. If I sound (/read) particularly disappointed, it's only because you're provided a gorgeous complete encyclopedia of the mutant plant life that tantalises early on that mechanical expansions may come. However, its not something that needs mining for any know-how, as everything is facilitated by the available UI. I suppose the UI is merely reflecting what is bestowed by the book, but it takes too much thinking out of it for my taste. So too is it demanded that gardens conform to the events playing out and particular characters concerned. As ingenious as that plays out narratively, it also robs the mechanics here of any real 'play' aspect. All this said, I'm perhaps overly impressing my wants over their intentions. It's all gorgeously rendered and meditative a process. Indeed, executed particularly well is 'listening' to your finished garden as your unique (but probably very arbitrarily strewn) setup generates a composition from its musically disparate vegetative elements. It's perfectly in keeping with the slow pace of life on the island and great to soak in in (characteristic Mutazione-induced) awe.
If a bear weed in the forest and no one was around to see it, does it become a singing plant?
And good golly, where are these art styles coming from? First Knights and Bikes, now this. My finger couldn't leave the screenshot key if I tried throughout its near ten hour playtime. It's a truly hand-illustrated wonder in motion with its impressive composition of scenes, dazzling colour palette and a frightening preoccupation with detail. The muddle of wildlife particularly dazzles in motion and it's approach to lighting make all the different times of day truly shine (or not!) to experience. Given the looping animations of faces, etc, the precision required to prevent incongruity between appearances and what is said might as well be magic. Mutazione doesn't trip up like other games do.
Soaps are called such because you veritably have to scrub your brain afterwards. Unless it's Mutazione.
The soundtrack like Mutazione's days is constantly shifting and seems entirely uninterested in repeating itself to you. It's also gorgeous. If you're anything like me, you'll just launch the game to have it play in the background. I'll have to wait for that OST release after launch, I think!
I for one look forward to the post-humanity reclaiming of the Earth by nature.
With characters at its core, Mutazione has some of the most refreshing grounded storytelling I've ever experienced. Both visually & narratively-arresting, it's affecting in surprising ways. Mutazione is almost as revelatory an experience as learning how to pronounce it!
