Night in the Woods is a charming indie game that isn’t afraid to explore the hardships of becoming an adult. It doesn’t shy away from the ugly truths of life and I really connected with it on many levels. There aren’t many games out there that do that and for that, I’ve got to hand it to Night in the Woods. It was extremely encouraging to see such hardships portrayed in a video game, especially since I suffer from some of them.
An Indie For Adults
While the game is rated for teens due to some inappropriate language, I really think adults are the target audience here. Our main character, Mae, is a 20 year old who just dropped out of college and moved back in with her parents. Mae suffers from a mental illness, though it is never stated which one. That is probably due to the fact that she doesn’t know herself. That on its own is scary enough.
Upon moving back home, her and her friends pick up where they left off before she left for college. Each of her friends handle her return differently and this presents a very interesting dynamic within the group. Mae isn’t the only character that the game suggests may struggle with mental health and that is the reason I suggest this game for adults. The themes this game explores are certainly not easy but that’s what makes this game so good.
In fact, Night in the Woods is a game that everyone will interpret differently. Whether you suffer from mental illness of any kind or not, you’ll make your own assumptions about the game’s story. I think that’s the most interesting thing about Night in the Woods. Anyone can relate to it in one way or another. Not only that, but it really portrays these things in a way that also helps to explain them.
Cute On Paper, Dark Up Close
Night in the Woods can look innocent on paper. The game is described as a platforming adventure game. Really though, it boils down to a story exploration game. Sure there are small parts of the game that feel like platforming and a few mini games, but beyond that, this game is all about narrative. Thank goodness too, because this game nails that perfectly. I found myself playing longer and longer just to see what would happen next.
Essentially Night in the Woods is really a game about self-discovery. Mae and her friends all struggle to find their place in the world. However behind the scenes their hometown is brewing up something evil. Of course they find themselves in the middle of it, Mae in particular, and the game slowly gets darker and darker with each day. For me, the game balances this transition well though, because as things in the town get stranger, so too do things with Mae and her gang.
Throughout the game you’ll be tasked to spend time with one of Mae’s friends. Depending on who you choose, you’ll see certain cutscenes and dialogue unavailable within the other choices. In order to see everything the game has to offer, you’ll be playing multiple times. Each playthrough will feel different though and this is another reason why everyone’s experience with the game will differ. Depending on how you choose to spend your time, you’ll experience things some people didn’t. I definitely encourage you to keep playing until you see everything though.
The Gang
The cast of Night in the Woods is small, but full of character (pun very much intended). Each one of them is unique in their own way and depending on how you spend your time, you’ll be able to see that up close. My favorite of Mae’s friends ended up being Angus but they really all have a special place in my heart. Watching their stories unfold was so exciting and every replay showed me more and more about their characters. I really do think it does this game justice to call it a story exploration game.
Regardless of whether you spend eight hours with Mae and her friends or twenty eight, you’ll find something here to enjoy. The dynamic within the group shifts throughout the game and watching Mae navigate each of her friends’ feelings can be hard to stomach at times. However, this is what makes this game’s narrative truly unique. The dialogue option you might want may not exist but you’ll have to pick one anyway. It can be unsettling to watch Mae treat her friends poorly but that’s all part of the experience. Mae can’t always read the room properly, but deep down she always means well.
While the dialogue between her and her friends is the majority of the game, it can also really slip through your fingers if you aren’t careful. Depending on who you choose to spend time with, the timeline can get a little messy but the writing is absolutely phenomenal. There’s a lot to be said here and I definitely encourage multiple playthroughs to get the full grasp of the situation. Each character is well-written and has the backstory to match. Get to know every character in Night in the Woods and you will not be disappointed.
Each time you invest in one of her friends, you’ll engage in some mini games. These moments break up the dialogue segments, giving you a break from conversations. Don’t worry though. These moments will still contribute to the story and character development so just sit back and enjoy them.
Quaint and Welcoming Possum Springs
The game takes place is Mae’s hometown of Possum Springs. Possum Springs is just your average small miner town, which really took me back to my childhood. In fact, I resonated with a lot of this game, and the scenery was definitely one of them. I grew up in a small town in West Virginia and let me tell you, they nailed the small town vibe. Everyone knows everything and nothing is a secret for too long. As Mae explores the city, she’ll interact with individuals who remember her mistakes, heard rumors about her or used to be friends with her. That is exactly how small towns feel.
At the end of the day though, small towns also feel homey. There’s nothing quite like a nice quiet night in suburbia to take your mind off of the ever-changing world. In the moments between Mae and her parents, this theme is very prominent. Even though she’s a college dropout discovering the dark secrets of her home town, a conversation with mom in the kitchen can still feel like paradise. On the surface, at least, Possum Springs is extremely welcoming.
Accompanied by that welcoming atmosphere is a soundtrack to drive that point home. Night in the Woods features some of my favorite video game tracks to date, especially when adding them into my meditation mix. It is relaxing, welcoming and warm. The contrast between the town’s outer layer and what lies below is rather extreme but the music will match those moments perfectly as well. I wouldn’t be able to find anything wrong with this game’s environment, even if I wanted to.
Go Play Night in the Woods
Go and play this game. I cannot express my love for this title enough, but I also can’t do it justice with words. It is definitely a game best left to experience, and I suggest that you do just that. It leans heavy into narrative which is absolutely its best feature here. However, it gets everything else right too, all the way down to its killer soundtrack. I honestly cannot recommend this game enough and still feel as though I have moments in the game I have not seen. I refuse to spoil myself though, and continue to just enjoy replaying it because I always catch something I missed in previous playthroughs. If you love a good story (and who doesn’t) then you’ll love Night in the Woods.
