What Remains of Edith Finch – A Poetic Adventure
If you’ve ever wandered through an old house, brushing your fingers along dusty picture frames and wondering about the lives lived within those walls, then What Remains of Edith Finch will hit in you in the feels?
Developed by Giant Sparrow and published by Annapurna Interactive, What Remains of Edith Finch is a first-person narrative adventure that pulls you into the story of the Finch family — a lineage haunted by a supposed curse that leaves nearly every member meeting an untimely, often surreal end.
Storytelling Through Exploration
You play as Edith, the last known living Finch, who returns to her sprawling, creaky family home to uncover the buried stories of your relatives—most of whom died under tragic (and sometimes bizarre) circumstances. Sounds grim? It is. But it’s also captivating in a way few games manage to be.
The Finch estate is less a house and more like a winding monument to memory and loss — every room sealed off like a shrine to the person who once occupied it. As you explore, you’ll open doors (both literal and metaphorical) into these lives through short, uniquely stylized vignettes that range from playful and imaginative to deeply tragic.
Style Meets Substance
Visually, the game is stunning. The Finch house itself is practically a character—cluttered, whimsical, full of secrets. The soundtrack supports the tone perfectly, subtly tugging at your heart without ever feeling manipulative.
This isn’t a game filled with puzzles or combat or skill-based challenges. It’s more like a playable movie, or a walking poem. That might not be for everyone, and if you’re looking for fast-paced action, you’ll probably bounce off it pretty fast. But if you’re into rich stories and emotional depth, this is one you shouldn’t miss.
The real magic here is in how those stories are told. Each family member’s tale becomes its own interactive vignette with a different art style and gameplay mechanic. One moment, you’re a child swinging on a swing set too high. The next, you’re controlling a fish factory worker daydreaming of being a king. These shifts keep the two-hour runtime consistently surprising and deeply engaging.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Beautiful and immersive storytelling
- Unique, varied gameplay sections for each character
- Incredible atmosphere and visual design
- Emotional depth without being overly sentimental
- Great voice acting and soundtrack
Cons:
- Very short (2–3 hours tops)
- Minimal interactivity—more of a “walking simulator”
- Not for players seeking traditional gameplay or replay value
Final Thoughts ★★★★☆
What Remains of Edith Finch is an unforgettable experience — poetic, heartbreaking, and deeply human. It’s a masterclass in how video games can tell stories in ways no other medium can. While it’s not for everyone, especially those looking for more traditional action or gameplay loops, it’s an essential play for fans of narrative-driven experiences.
If you’re open to exploring grief, legacy, and imagination through a beautifully crafted lens, this game belongs on your must-play list.
by Lokhi D | 10 August 2025
