Four years ago today I played the overlooked treasure, WHAT REMAINS OF EDITH FINCH. At the time I was working in virtual reality and I called it the closest thing to simulating presence without putting a headset on.
Today, the game remains a “walking narrative” classic. Coming off the success of THE UNFINISHED SWAN, Giant Sparrow takes the kid’s gloves off for a devasting look at life and death.
In EDITH FINCH, you explore an abandoned house. As you wander the hallways and outdoor areas, you will flashback to experience the death of 13 of Edith Finch’s family members. Each one is uniquely haunting. You go from playing in a comic book, a baby in a bathtub, and my favorite, a fisherman transported to a fantasy world. This might sound devasting, but it’s bitter-sweet and rewarding to experience how all of these stories magically connect. The overall game is just under three hours, but it’s worth repeat play-throughs.
If anyone ever asks the question – “are video games art?” I always point them to WHAT REMAINS OF EDITH FINCH.
I played it on Playstation 4, but it’s also available on Switch, Steam, and Xbox.
