Communicating desperation genuinely in media is an arduous process, as it can come off as hollow if done poorly. This type of written negativity thrives on well-established context and atmosphere above all else. So, it can be doubly challenging when a narrative opens with a grim atmosphere that already puts the cast through the wringer. The JINO Games-developed Chasing the End attempts this lofty task in a stylized 2.5D puzzle platforming adventure.
Chasing the End follows protagonist Rion, who’s living on an Earth fated to fall due to an incoming asteroid collision. Consequently, in her residence in Seoul, lawlessness and violence run rampant, making it a shell of its formerly vibrant self. This restlessness eventually convinces Rion to leave her home behind and venture into the world.
Right from the get-go, Rion’s self-derision and lack of ego are self-evident, as an elderly neighbor aggressively admonishes her for leaving this locale of safety. Soon after trying to take her own life, Rion encounters a brutal scene where she witnesses the death of someone she believes to have saved. Still, this meeting leads her to pursue an operation for evacuating the planet through space.
The first aspect of this narrative’s design that stands out immediately is how it doesn’t shy away from harsh language. This grounded, realistic approach to the strife-filled scenario this world has found itself in makes it all much more real than it would be otherwise. There is a profanity filter that blocks out some utterances, but if you’re fine with it, I recommend leaving the language entirely intact as it sets the mood terrifically.
This depiction of Seoul is actively unwelcoming, which is shown quite clearly by the others you meet throughout the city. Their actions and tone convey a collective acceptance that they have accepted their end and are willing to toss aside their morality for what they once perceived as superficiality. Above all else, the ambiance of Chasing the End defines it. For the most part, it is sometimes like a walking simulator, where you really need to take in what’s presented to get the most out of this experience.
Gameplay-wise, environmental interaction, and analysis are crucial, as there’s a lite puzzle loop in which you use tools in the vicinity to progress. So far, these elements haven’t mainly stood out compared to other implementations of the genre, but it gets the job well done enough to instill accomplishment.
The presentation of Chasing the End is undeniably where it shines the brightest, though. The unique presentation here crafts a stellar otherworldly premise that inherently differentiates the atmosphere of this doomed world from our own. The lighting plays an especially significant role in this captivation.
Chasing the End will be released for PC via Steam Early Access later this year. A free demo is available on Steam.
