Reaching for Petals Review
Not Recommended
A somewhat interesting and charming philosophical correlation between nature and a love relationship and the passing of it.
+ Great music
+ Great narrator voice actor
* Good (initial) text writing in the nature pieces
* Switching back and forth between nature walk sequences with narration and flat object search into text reading with two choice selections of marginal impact
* One hour experience (50-55 minutes)
* Absolutely linear
- Bad 5.1 mixing between music and narrator (it was hard to understand him at times)
- Missed opportunities to directly link narration and environment, resulting in a disconnect and thoughts wandering instead of a captivating experience
- View distance issues on objects visibly popping in and out or transforming between LOD
- Visual artifacts especially on shadows and some foliage reducing the atmosphere and beauty of landscapes
- No rebindable controls
- Very limited graphics settings
- No audio settings
It bothered me that the environments *almost* had great atmosphere. Or more specifically they did trigger great atmosphere, but then the visual artifacts and issues instantly broke it again. So there was a constant feeling of if only this were more polished.
It has some good approaches, is great in very specific things, but ultimately lacks in overall package, novelty and quality.
If you like (slow) walking simulators, exploring a relationship story through narration and text, and have an interest in a philosophical linking between relationship, passing, and nature then this may still be worth a play.
+ Great music
+ Great narrator voice actor
* Good (initial) text writing in the nature pieces
* Switching back and forth between nature walk sequences with narration and flat object search into text reading with two choice selections of marginal impact
* One hour experience (50-55 minutes)
* Absolutely linear
- Bad 5.1 mixing between music and narrator (it was hard to understand him at times)
- Missed opportunities to directly link narration and environment, resulting in a disconnect and thoughts wandering instead of a captivating experience
- View distance issues on objects visibly popping in and out or transforming between LOD
- Visual artifacts especially on shadows and some foliage reducing the atmosphere and beauty of landscapes
- No rebindable controls
- Very limited graphics settings
- No audio settings
It bothered me that the environments *almost* had great atmosphere. Or more specifically they did trigger great atmosphere, but then the visual artifacts and issues instantly broke it again. So there was a constant feeling of if only this were more polished.
It has some good approaches, is great in very specific things, but ultimately lacks in overall package, novelty and quality.
If you like (slow) walking simulators, exploring a relationship story through narration and text, and have an interest in a philosophical linking between relationship, passing, and nature then this may still be worth a play.