The Great Perhaps

This is an action-puzzle game, either you switch time in time, or you die. The game does nothing to tell you when you have to switch time, by switching on the lantern, so you will die at least once for each puzzle because using the lantern has a delay. L9 voice is a drag, the insufferable pause between each word to make it look like a computer is harrassing, the game is slow enough without it. There is a youtube walthrough 1h14 long that shows you the entire game.

... And I was totally horribly utterly wrong. Although both games use time travel as a way to solve puzzles, that's where all comparison ends. This game is too short, doesn't explain what the heck is going on, and has an 'open ending', as if it were a pitiful art film wannabe. It feels like they only wanted to release something so they could charge for all the rest of the episodes that eventually will turn up. But for that you need a coherent plot line, and this game doesn't have one. Is the protagonist trying to save Earth? Who knows. The game doesn't make up its mind. He seems to by the end of the game. Is he trying to save his family? Who knows. Maybe? He seems to because of the speech at the end of the game. Save Earth from what? Who knows. We don't know because apparently, we the people playing, don't deserve even a hint of what is going on, nor to know why, or even why the heck are we literally running around a city somewhere in Russia; that later turns out to be the protagonist's home town, and also probably the place where Maybe everything got wrong at the beginning... Possibly. Perhaps. Who knows? Who cares!

A side scrolling adventure game that has an art style and scenery going for it. Unfortunately, it doesnt have much else. The story is confusing, underexplored and ends in a kind of cliffhanger. The gameplay is kind of boring by itself and doesnt really tie in well with the story in a meaningful way. I played this in Russian, so the voice-acting and sound was fine for me. The game is also short. Like, 3 hours tops if you fiddle around with the puzzles too long. Now, I welcome such a thing as I feel a meaningful short experience is better than a dragged out broing one. Considering the games substance, its hard to say whether its a plus or a negative here. If youre in the mood for some interesting atmosphere, I think this could be worth it. Otherwise, not much going for it.

A very well put together story about time travel and dealing with loss. The gameplay is good enough to get you through the story and for titles like this that is absolutely all you can really ask for. Very endearing art style that really pulls you into this hopeful, even if bleak world. I recommend playing in the devs native language, Russian.