This game is kind of a mess. It has its fair share of bugs, but I never found them game-breaking. No, the mess is really more in the narrative and game design. There are jarring narrative jumps that can be disorienting, and your character sometimes makes intuitive leaps that seem illogical. In terms of game design, enemy types are introduced, seen only a couple of times, and then never seen again; mechanics are introduced, you do them twice, and then never again; the game physics can be a bit unpredictable, which can lead to some frustrating platforming; the puzzles are sometimes unintuitive, but simple enough that they can be solved by random poking.

Having said all of that, there is something here. There are interesting environments and impressive vistas. Although movement can be unpredictable at times, there is a fun sense of momentum when you get the upgraded jet pack. And even though the story is sometimes presented in weak or awkward prose, and even though it fumbles a couple of story beats that should have been much more powerful, there is something compelling about the story. In the end, this feels like an awkward first attempt by a young game developer who might actually have something interesting to say if he learns the right lessons from making this game. I'll definitely keep my eye out for his next one.

This game has so much love put into it! The story is fairly simple, but elegantly presented, and the mechanics are flawless; the game is very good about introducing new mechanics, showing you approximately where you need to go, and giving you the tools you need to progress. That said, apart from some platforming throughout, I'd largely consider this a walking simulator, which stifles the replay value for me, at least. I played it on Epic Games, so there were no achievements, but looking at the ones that exist on other platforms, I can't imagine getting through it without dying, for example. Again, excellent game, but I'm glad I don't have to worry about completion and multiple replays.

As for the graphics, they're not stellar, but they gave me plenty of nostalgia for older games! And the environments are lovely and atmospheric even with the modest graphics, so it's not an issue at all.

Sound-wise, also excellent, though simple. It was a lot of environmental sounds, and then some cool noises from the alien structures that were really cool. Footsteps weren't too obtrusive, which was good. And the music was A+, really fit the entire game fantastically.

The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because of the replayability and engagement for me personally. In the last hour of the game I was already tabbing out and getting distracted because I was tired of all the walking and jumping (though the ending imagery was :chefskiss:). There was just so much walking between bits of story, and scenery that, while exotic and alien at times, didn't really have much in it to distract from being able to see where I needed to go - and how far away that was.