Hello Goodboy: Yes, You Can Pet The Dog

 *Note: I received a game key for the game for my honest review. Thank you to Stride PR and Rolling Glory Jam for the game key!

I was instantly drawn in by the cute art in Hello Goodboy. The whole premise of the game is exploring the idea of handling death and negative emotions, but is done in a way that is gentle and simple. I feel that the game perhaps was also done in a simple style for a way to explain death and dying to children in a way that isn't scary and overwhelming. 

You play as Iko, a young boy transported to the afterlife that is called Kuroto and your guide is a cute dog companion named Coco. Coco tells Iko that all he has to do is be a "good kid" and this is where the game sets you on your journey and the choices you make are up to you. Coco does explain that your time is limited so you have to make those choices carefully. I loved that you could take a moment right away to stop and hug Coco, pet him, or give him belly rubs. You can do this throughout the game any time you want so of course I would hug Coco often. 

All the dog hugs! 

You can pick a door to go through among doors that show four different seasons. You have a magic hourglass which shows that your time is limited and when you choose a door, some of the sand in the hourglass is spent. I discovered because of this you can only pick two doors. However, after you finish the game, you can do a new game+ which lets you choose the two doors you missed. I chose the Summer door first then the Autumn door. 

Choosing the Summer door. 

Each area is beautiful and I enjoyed that you could stop and sit for a moment and just appreciate the view. The artwork reminded me of colorful storybooks with the vibrant colors and lovely scenes. It was a subtle way for the story to remind us to stop and savor those moments of beauty and joy. 

Enjoying a mountain view. 

There are simple puzzles in the game where you have to fix things like a broken mailbox or a broken traffic light that erase a darkness clinging to them. The puzzles aren't terribly challenging and after you repair the broken items you get sparks of happiness. These are used at different intervals in the game for helping others which is pretty interesting.

Iko and Coco repair a mailbox. 

There are also a collection of drinks in your inventory that can be used on the different characters you meet. The whole point is helping these characters with a problem they might have and the drinks that are left over are used during a boss fight to weaken it. I enjoyed meeting the characters and helping them. Each one was unique and wonderful in their own way. They also added special layers to the story when discussing negative emotions or processing something that may be sad. 

A cute moment of joy. 

The music for the game itself is lovely and in some settings hauntingly beautiful. It definitely sets the tone for different areas that Iko and Coco travel to. I love the fact that they let Iko stop and play with Coco. Coco's movements are well done and very much like real dogs. Having those moments in the game helped me to not rush and savor each nuance of the game. 

Wow, it's Autumn! 

I'm not the best at puzzles, but I love puzzle games. There aren't a lot of puzzles in this, but the puzzles in this game weren't overly challenging or stressful which I appreciated because it let me continue the story and enjoy the relaxing vibes the game offered making it feel more like a wonderful visual novel. 

Iko and Coco hang out with a lumberjack. 

I think my only issue is the game is rather short, the main story is only two hours. However, I think that is because I really liked the game a lot and I was a bit sad when it was over. The final boss at the end is a little underwhelming, but I feel that their heart was in the right place and it got the message across about remembering and holding onto the good memories in order to overcome the negative emotions you feel in a thoughtful and mindful way. 

The ending itself is heartwarming and explains why Iko and Coco are there. It also says in its own gentle way that even though saying goodbye is difficult, that sometimes we have to in order to move forward and that the people we love are never truly gone if we keep them in our hearts. Hello Goodboy does a great job of showing that journey of kindness and connection and I genuinely appreciated every minute of it. 

High five!

*Hello Goodboy is available on the following platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC

*Join our community on Twitch as we play games and discuss mental health: https://www.twitch.tv/mothergamer

End of Lines: Beautiful Art and Compelling Story

 *Note: I received a game key for the Nintendo Switch for my honest review of the game. Thank you to Fernwaves and PlayerTwoPR for the game key. 

Right from the start End of Lines drew me in with the beautiful artwork with the introduction of the story. Each scene is colorfully hand painted and really well done. End of Lines is a visual novel set in the future (around 2090) showing the possibilities of what could happen if global warming and the climate crisis aren't taken seriously. The story is told from the viewpoint of three different members of a Sahara Desert tribe. The climate change has affected everything making it impossible to stay in their home due to the heat and sandstorms which means they have to travel to find somewhere safer to live. This is where the game begins and explains that the character narrative can change at any time depending on which decisions you make throughout the story. It cautions you letting you know that each choice you make matters and can affect the outcome of each chapter right to the end. 

The three main characters of the story. 

There are also times where you have to set up camp and then you have to decide who will search for much needed resources such as water and food. You have to choose carefully because members of your group can be exhausted which means they won't be much help. The game does a great job of showing how precious each resource is with the artwork and the story. It also causes you to think carefully about every decision and think about the bigger picture trying to make sure that everyone is okay on your journey. 

Pick who goes looking for resources.

I was so invested in the story and the characters. I especially loved Camille and his interactions with his son Sam. Sam is a great foil to Camille as he asks about what the world was like before. For example, Sam had never seen a duck before and asks his dad about them. There's a gentleness to Camille with everyone, but especially with Sam not just because he's his dad, but because Sam is a child. There aren't a lot of children in this world and Sam represents hope for many. I loved every moment with Camille and Sam because of how well written the story is. 

A moment with Camille and Sam. 

Each scene stands out because of the lovely artwork and I was fascinated by each setting because of it. The way the water is painted in a seaside town in Spain as Camille dives underwater searching for resources is so well done that I found myself captivated by it. The game does a great job illustrating every moment in each chapter. 

I found the artwork for this scene really beautiful. 

The commentary about global warming is heavy and serious, but it's not heavy handed. It gently guides and tells through the storytelling how the world is in ruins and that sometimes humans are the real monsters. Vital resources are scarce and there are people who are in militia groups that enslave people, steal, and showing that many towns are filled with danger. Add that to the fact that the weather can be unpredictable because of climate change and you understand why the travelers are so cautious and wary of strangers. 

A wild lightning storm appears.

One of the themes was about family. Camille holds his wife Nora and their son Sam very dear. There is also the lively "Uncle" Rafik who is best friend to Camille and Nora. They are the core group and while they do have people that join them on their journey, they are clearly the main characters. I loved them so much. Each decision had to be weighed so carefully because I didn't want anything to happen to them. I got attached to them and wanted them to make that trip safely together. 

I loved Rafik because of his cheerfulness and his fondness for Sam. Sam was hope for him too. I was also pleasantly surprised that depending on decisions made in the story Rafik has a chance for a queer romance and it's beautifully done. It's thoughtful, gentle, and it showed how it's okay to celebrate moments of joy where we can find them. 

The one I worried for the most was Camille. Camille was not a fierce fighter like Nora and not full of jokes and laughter like Rafik. Camille worried all the time about everyone and he was an idealist. There are memories he flashes back to of what the world was like before and of when things started to get too bad to ignore. Camille even has flashes of imagining talking with his parents about the current state of the world. It's heartbreaking as Camille is honest about his feelings of despair while understanding that he feels he has to keep wearing the mask of being strong for his family. 

Camille is honest about his feelings. 

The music throughout the game is hauntingly beautiful. Each hand painted illustration is captured perfectly with the music and definitely sets the mood for each one. There is no voice acting for the game, just the story and the music. Personally I think that works because it set the tone for each moment throughout the story. I know that for some they may not like that, but honestly not everything needs voice acting. For a visual novel like this, the artwork and music complement each other and work together to tell a compelling story. 

Taking in the view. 

There are four different endings for End of Lines depending on choices you make. I played through just to get them all along with the achievements. The nice thing is after you play through the game once, you can start from a save point and play through to see them. I liked each one for different reasons, but the one thing I appreciated was that each ending had a bit of hope in them. That made a more meaningful impact. I genuinely appreciate what they were trying to do with this game because it is up to us to protect our world and change for the better. I enjoyed all of it and I'm glad I got the chance to experience this visual novel. 

A touching moment with Sam. 

*End of Lines is available to play on the following platforms: Nintendo Switch, Steam

*Join our community on Twitch as we play games and discuss mental health: https://www.twitch.tv/mothergamer