GOODBYE WORLD is a game from Isolation Studio that delivers everything meant in the title. One last hurrah for old times sake. A melancholy look at the life of two game developers. One stuck in a void and the other moving on to new and brighter paths. This game is the embodiment of all of those feelings. Something that started out so well, but the wick had slowly dwindled down. Fading to nothing but ash. A short and bittersweet end.
The game follows programmer Kanii, and Artist Kumade. And their partnership through school that would eventually lead them to becoming an independent team after college. The moments featured throughout are those key moments in their journey that led to them pairing up as well as the conclusion to their story. That story is tough to watch.
There were many times when the tension would tighten so much that I would be uncomfortable. Seeing the end of something that felt so strong was depressing. I just wanted the happy parts to come. And they never did. GOODBYE WORLD is very raw in its approach. By keeping it real like this, the game achieves the emotional responses that it was aiming for.
The writing in this game is unbelievably good. And it had to be with how the game is mainly narrative. The only gameplay segments being a mix of Kirby and puzzle-platformer. Utilizing blocks to get the key that would unlock the door at the end of the level. Not to mention the nostalgic OG Gameboy style in that game within the game. A necessary piece that helped to link moments and tendencies throughout the game's overarching narrative.
I guess what drove me to playing this game was the trailer. It has a catchy tune with some hints as to what the game is about. Yet, the trailer does not give away any details. By not giving away any important details, I was able to get hit by the swirling emotions of the game.
That's really all I have to say about GOODBYE WORLD. Play this game. Not because someone told you to play it. But because the game is so well crafted in what it is trying to achieve. It nails everything so well, while being so short at the same time. It's a movie that features gameplay. And it makes me feel for Isolation Studio. This being their Swan Song just makes the game hit that much harder. I love it.
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