Return to Grace

A very short, perfectly likable walking sim that engages with very simplistic ideas about the nature of humanity and artificial intelligence. The game presents very little in the way of puzzles, with 90% of the puzzle solutions provided before you have a chance to solve them yourself. The game has forking paths, but each is just a binary choice between two different directions toward the exact same goal, save for one pivotal choice about half-way through the game. It has excellent voice acting, and some decent atmospheric design, but it ultimately doesn't present the player with any meaningful choices, puzzles or anything beyond some very conventional themes and concepts. I enjoyed it as a short jaunt through an alien world but I don't think it will stick with me as one of the more memorable games I played this year.

A short and sweet experiential exploration game, Return To Grace embraces a 60's art style, interesting story and a relaxed approach to gameplay. Unfortunately, the lack of gameplay depth and predictable narrative beats prevent it ascending into the highest echelons of the genre’s grace. Regardless, embarking on Adie’s adventure is a calming and welcome experience in spite of its limitations.

Really enjoyed this game. A well-developed sci Fi story wrapped into a light exploration game. It's short (3 hours or so) and puzzles are simple but still rewarding. A great pallet cleanser between intensive games.

You know I kinda wish there was a little bit more length and intellectual meat on the bone on this one, but I think that craving for more just speaks to how polished and solid the execution of the world building and artistic design and writing and acting are. They shoulda just said more! It kinda ends right when it’s getting really philosophically interesting.

It’s interesting they added this to GamePass so soon after Close To The Sun, because they are the same kind of game, but of two completely disparate quality levels. This is what Close To The Sun wishes it were. This game is intriguing and thought provoking and has a visual design that is legible and bold.