Seasons After Fall

Lack of guidance in visually stunning adventure may frustrate some kids

Parents need to know that "Seasons After Fall" is a downloadable 2D platform puzzler. There's no violence or danger in the game, since the little fox character you control can't get hurt. It's an easy game to pick up and play, but also a game that's easy to get lost in, since you're given very little guidance. This could frustrate some kids, especially younger ones, who can't figure out what to do next.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

"Seasons After Fall" casts players in the role of a magical seedling sent to recover the four fragments of the seasons from their forest guardians. Since being a seed doesn't lend a lot of physical support to the task at hand, you're given control of a young fox to move through and interact with the forest. While on this jour- ney, players will use the power of the seasons to alter the world around them, whether it's freezing lakes to run across or using the autumn winds to ride leaves to higher ground. By manipulating the seasons, you'll be able to interact with the world in different ways and discover new paths to explore while trying to keep the forest safe. IS IT ANY GOOD?

"Seasons After Fall" is an artistically beautiful, visually stunning adventure, despite a lack of guidance during gameplay. It's easy to see that a lot of care went into the game's presentation, and it's easy to get lost in the world the game creates. Kids, in particular, will fall in love with the little fox as he runs through the forest.

One of the hardest things about "Seasons After Fall" is trying to figure out exactly where you're supposed to go. Since you're already supposed to backtrack throughout the forest, using the seasonal powers to get somewhere new, it makes things more frustrating when you make a long trek to an area and realize that you don't have what the game needs right then. Plus, even as gorgeous as the scenery is, the areas blend together in such a way that you might find yourself going in circles for a while before realizing you missed one little jump. It might be confusing and even irritating at times, but that doesn't mean Seasons After Fall isn't something special that deserves to be checked out and enjoyed.

GAME DETAILS Platforms: Windows | Price: $14.99 Developer: Focus Home Interactive Release date: September 2, 2016 Genre: Action/Adventure Rating: Recommended for ages 10 and older