Video game way to the woods full#

The game has a lot to say about class, mental illness, the inhumanity of capitalism, and conservative power’s willingness to consume the future to glorify the past - sometimes literally. Like I just mentioned, there’s a whopper of a confrontation with Mae’s mother in the game, and Possum Springs’ economic woes, standing in for the decline of America’s rust belt, is a prominent theme. While the game’s atmosphere and aesthetic are charming, the story is unafraid to go to some very dark places.

Video game way to the woods full#

The cast is stellar, full of lovable characters like goth socialist alligator Bea, ball of nervous energy Gregg, and his boyfriend the quiet and introspective bear Angus. As you wake up every day, run downstairs to say hi to your Mom, and head out the door to see your friends and neighbors, the town of Possum Springs feels alive and vibrant, full of familiar faces. In between all of these activities, Mae’s daily routine quickly becomes a comforting routine for you as well. What a fun game, she’s a talking cat! Night in the Woods

Some days you hang out with friends and do fun mini-games like smashing light bulbs, shoplifting, or getting into gut-twisting arguments with your mother about whether or not you’re a failure or if she and your father are the ones who never had any ambition. Some days you get to play bass in your old band and jam to some incredible original songs (seriously, Weird Autumn and Die Anywhere Else are absolute bangers). This story comes through a simple gameplay loop: every morning, you wake up, go downstairs, and walk through town. Moving back into her childhood room and reconnecting with her old friends who never left the former mining town, Mae tries to find her place in the world while slowly uncovering a mysterious plot involving powers beyond human understanding. You play as Mae, who’s returning to her hometown of Possum Springs after a vague, violent episode led to her dropping out of college. But it doesn’t change the absolute truth that the story of Mae Borowski, a cartoon cat in search of a reason to live, is one of the most nuanced, hilarious, troubling, uplifting, and honest narratives I’ve ever played through.

Infinite Fall’s Night in the Woods is my favorite video game story ever. With next-gen quickly becoming current, we are looking back on our favourite games of the last seven years.