The muscle memory is so real. There where so many times I went on auto pilot. I would walk into the head maidens office without even thinking and wonder why I did that? Then remember I needed the key here.
What I genuinely love about act 5 is that it fucks with you. The game KNOWS that navigating the house is pure muscle memory at this point and it uses that against you and it's just fucking brilliant
I really really want this game to become super popular. I need a vibrant thriving fandom to fuel my own hyper fixation
Despite the size, the subreddit is pretty lively, and Adrienne the developer is a good follow on Twitter.
Go check out our interview with her if you want to dig a little deeper 🙂
@@indiegameculture1 I kind of want a sequel where the island comes back somehow when it starts to somehow bringing colors to the world
"Don't eat the pineapple slices, you're allergic." is an AMAZING line for this
When I want to describe to someone how important it is that you feel frustrated with the repetition, it’s always the Memory of Sadnesses scene that I bring up. It’s vital that you’re as fed up as Siffrin is of dealing with the tutorial sadness for that scene to properly get the message across that the tedium of the loops are having a severe mental toll on Siffrin as well as you. Far and away my favorite scene in the entire game, as well as my favorite memory due to the implications of what kind of energy Siffrin must be giving off with that memory in the forefront of his mind to make the sadnesses run in terror.
Another example you could use is the scene in act 5 where Siffrin destroys the counter. Each time you pass by there to get the key, he hits his hip against the counter, and gets more and more upset with it until he goes overboard in act 5 and destroys it. It’s probably not the best example, as you are moderately less in tune with his feelings for this segment, but a valid example nonetheless.
Watching this has taught me that what you described "the final loop" is the exact same point I shelved the game for getting too heavy to keep going... The fact that I now know how close I am to the end, I'm ready to go back and finish things.
Every time I bring up how this game became my favorite game, all my friends look at me in confusion since they've never heard of it. So now I want to make sure as many people get to see this game that has really helped me better discover myself.
I actually learned of this game because a friend of mine recommended it to me. Then I recommended it to my other friends so the cycle may continue
30 hours sunk in to get 100%, and the amount of care they put in every single interaction still makes me awestruck every time I think about it, like the achievement to do the”happy ending” three times or the “kinda sus” achievement were joys to get through, even if I did have to play through the game fully, without looping ahead, like 5 times
This is absolutely one of my favorite games! I immediately went into it blind after seeing the art from the game, and I'm glad I did. It's worth the experience, and despite exploring as much as I could, there are still secrets I missed.
Minor spoilers ahead!
I like all the quality of life stuff the game includes. The option to fast forward dialogue, choose where you loop back, save your party members' experience and levels at save points, and unlock all doors when looping to different floors after you've found all the keys. There are tears everywhere too, so it's absolutely possible to loop around easily and never feel like you need to use the dagger. I did unlock the option to use the dagger, but felt bad and never used it. Loop is able to take the option away as well if you have Siffrin talk to them without using the dagger. Very fun game. Love all the details and craft put into it.
Outer wilds used to be my #1, it has since been dethroned. This game is amazing and disturbing, and I even had to step away from the game a few times. Glad this game is getting at least a little more recognition.
Outer Wilds is still special in its own right. But I dunno, this one just slaps a little harder
Id considered both to be #1. Who said you cant have several #1's??
:>
I think outer wilds is kind of better, because as cool as the premise is I don’t really get as much tension as I do from outer wilds.
Especially considering that the issues the character are trying to solve in this game seem much more possible to solve then the heat death of the universe, and since they are possible, over an infinite amount of loops it will happen.
(Also, while outer wilds has less socialisation, I kind of feel like the heat death of the universe and existential stuff it presents are more relatable than being a JRPG character).
not to reply to a 3 month old comment, but wow, literally same here??? this game also dethroned outer wilds for me, it was so amazing. i did act 5 in one sitting myself because i knew that if i stepped away i was gonna be too scared to come back to it - heck i stepped away multiple times during act 4. im so happy i beat it
@@traceable7875 I think which provides more tension is fully YMMV, whether you're more affected by the enormity of a problem that from the start appears laughably impossible or the mounting anxiety of an issue that SHOULD be relatively simple to solve instead foiling you at every turn as you watch your character slowly descend to worse and worse places.
But calling the heat death of the universe more relatable than being Mr. "I feel like an outsider in this group and am afraid of being left behind" is absolutely wild to me ngl.
ISaT is genuinely the best game ive ever gotten into, and to think i found out about it through a random twitter reply
I found out about ISAT from a random article about it that got recommended to me. I'm so glad I clicked on that article because this game changed my life.
This game was such an emotional roller coaster for me and most of the time my mood matched that of Siffirin in the story, which I found amazing.
All the pieces you need are mostly in front of you from the start, so there are a lot of "oh, I know where I can find that." moments if you took the time to thoroughly examine everything on your first few runs.
The thing I like the most is how you can tell there is a lot of thought put into how the other party members react to how Siffirin change, it's honestly impressive how authentic it all feels and some of those reactions you can provoke by doing things that would naturally make them worry. Odile confronting you after beating the king if you make too many strange actions is one of my favorite parts of this game.
I'm still waiting for in stars and time to blow up. I KNOW it will it's a PHENOMENAL game and the word of mouth spreading of it is very much a slow creep but i want it to be a major phenomenon so bad. However i do know that word of mouth is spreading it! Every person ive gotten to play the game has passed the word along to at LEAST one other person. Im sure it will get big eventually.
When I started In Stars And Time, I didn't undertand all the beliefs, the countries the party had gone through. But that didn't matter, as what I wanted was to learn more about my party members, about Siffrin.
Not only did I get to learn about the characters but I also got to learn a bit about the other countries, Vaugarde, Porteria, Ka Baun. Even about memories and a country far out of reach.
Ironically enough, at the end you'd skip through most of that you wanted in the first place. And that fits the themes so well.
I love ISAT so much! The characters are all lovable and their struggles, conflicts and dynamics with each other feel *real*.
What a great video!! I agree, it's befuddling how everyone missed this gem. My friends have learned to be wary of me whenever the topic of games comes up, because I explode in enthusiasm. I am going to send this video to so many people. Thanks!
I cannot remember the last time a game got me invested in its characters so quickly and so deeply, and so viciously used that against me
What an elevated take. In Stars and Time reminds you to take it seriously every time you start getting used to it.
I am so glad that more people are discovering this, I absolutely adore everything about it. The characters, the story + the gameplay are all perfect!
Ever since I watched a play through of this game, I’ve been feeling Dejavu far more
Gonna watch this later, but commenting now to help boost! I love this game, and I honestly believe its one of the best indie titles of all time.
speaking from experience, do NOT play this game for 6 hours in a row at midnight and beat the game at 6am only to sob yourself to sleep. great game i felt like everyone else was an npc for a week after finishing it 10/10 would recommend (im serious go play it)
just gonna say it, it probably doesn't count in the same way, but slay the princess came out recently as well and also has a sort of, time loop mechanic, or well, flavor to the story
although it is more dense in it's cosmic horror
but it's also a game I feel should be more widely seen
because yes
they are both 20 bucks and worth every penny
I've heard amazing things about STP, I might have to give it a go!
There's actually a bundle on Steam where you can get both together, iirc.
Slay the Princess and Stars and Time being bundled together on Steam as two black and white games with time loop mechanics that came out within a month of each other is so hilarious to me
I cannot express just how much I adore this game
Fantastic video. I think I need to be in a certain mindset before I attack a game known to have “tedium as a game mechanic!” But I think I get why it is there, based on your explanation. Will keep this game in mind.
The tedium isn't really that bad. You could probably finish the whole thing without retreading to the point of boredom too much especially if you use a guide when your stuck and dont mind missing minor content. I did mind missing minor content and wanted to go experience everything so I took more then the average time to finish. but that's me.
@@freazeezy Thanks for your comment. OK, I likely will get to this game at some point! I am not a completionist. Though I do tend to progress through games slowly, for whatever reasons.
god I love In Stars and Time so much! If anyone here hasn't played it, please DO IT! Don't spoil yourself either!
EDIT: DON'T FINISH WATCHING THIS VIDEO, IT SPOILS IN STARS AND TIME
@@indiegameculture1 you should include spoiler warnings for videos like this tbh. ISAT is a game that focuses so heavily on its story, I would never risk spoiling someone scoping out if they wanna get it
I love ISAT so fucking much...
I need that more people play this beautiful game
I only know of this game because someone I followed on twitter swore by it and now I can see why lol. I absolutely agree with everything said in the video and how this game absolutely gets into your head.
The moment this game clicked for me to make me realise oh, something is special about this was in act 3 where my frustration was absolutely boiling over with the sadness in the house that were frustratingly difficult avoid and no longer necessary for exp or memories to loop back, minor inconveniences that used to be "might as well" exacerbated over and over through loops into an angry "stop getting in my way" and then as I entered the tutorial hall Again, siffrin acted. the exact way I was feeling, but yet it didn't feel good at all, for them or for me. It was a really pivotal moment for me on how I looked at this game and the great thing is there was more of that to come that I didn't fully realise until act 5 when the same thoughts, dialed to the worse extreme were reflected back at me through siffrin
what a wonderful game thanks for articulating why I loved it
This game's amazing, I wish it were more popular. Thanks for making this video to get the game out there!
(also sorry but I need to correct you - Undertale was made with GameMaker Studio, not RPG Maker)
I love this game so much! I really hope this video picks up, it's a hidden gem just as the game is.
You're very kind, and yes, this is a special game and deserves so much more love!
Outer Wilds is, to me, a religion. Outer Wilds and Undertale are games that simply can't be dethroned in my mind... but god has In Stars and Time come close. The narration in particular is used so incredibly, even when I disagree with Siffrin I can't help but start thinking like them
I’m gonna be honest, I never got bored, it was so fun just grinding for levels, seeing what new dialog comes up, finding out that *DAMN* wishcraft book puzzle (that annoyed me the most) and generally talking to all the characters. In the end, (spoilers) when Siffrin tries to attack his friends, I immediately went to find another solution because I knew Siffrin would never try to hurt their friends. Lo and behold, the game knows that too and there’s only one option in ‘Craft’.. to attack the *player*
Luckily mirabelle can heal huh
Ah yes, the game that lives in my head rent free
I adore this game. So so so so much. It is so well written, so wonderful and charming and cruel at the same time. This game had me in tears on multiple occasions.
Was very excited to find this video, just finished In Stars and Time myself and have been itching to find people talking about it. Then I got very sad as soon as you brought up Outer Wilds, because I haven't finished that one yet and have been avoiding everything I can so as not to spoil myself in any way. So while I can't watch this video now I'm leaving a comment and will be back once I beat Outer Wilds myself
in stars and time is such a good story and an even better game
Finished the game and wanted more videos on it, UGGGH its so great, I wish more people played it.
i love how this fandom is so small that i recognize a bunch of the people in this comment section
This is one of the only games I have actively replayed to get 100% which I think is a testament to how amazing this game is.
More love for this game!
This game deserves so much more attention! 1000/10 would play over and over and over and over and over and over and ove-
One of the best games ever
This game deserves to be the next big thing, it has so much love and time(ha!) poured into it
Go go gadget algorithm boost!
i just finished ISAT! it's really such a good game, and very skilled at making you feel how siffrin does. so glad more people are hearing about it!
It's such a good game.
IN STARS AND TIME MENTION
In Stars and Time is very good
YEAAAA!!! ISAT IS SO GOOD!!!
Play this game people! It’s absolutely amazing!!
This is my GOTY.
Even if people did know about this game. A December game of the year. Unheard of 🤣
I do agree though 😆
Honestly Isat is on the short list for goty for 2024 my only complaint is that your companions also experienced the fucked up hall way in act 5
Great video! I massively enjoyed this game.
Yippe!! Its an essay video!!
Please please please play ISAT, people. Its SO good.
Commenting not for the algorithm but for the youtuber posting this, insertdisc5 aka the funkiest little gremlin
Algorithm boost because more people should hear about this game
I think what you refer to as Last Loop is a tad too much spoiler for my liking. As much as it's an epitome of why this game is great (I kept pausing my game during the dialogue, wondering whether soundtrack incorporated rapid and rabid heartbeat as part of the agitation, or whether it was my own heart wrenching at the pain inflicted on the companions), Act 5 feels best to be experienced completely blind and disoriented, like the worst hungover-withdrawal imaginable, blindsided by every twist and turn.
In Stars and Time is undeniably art. It inspires a depth of emotions and contemplation. I remember completing the Companion Side-Quests in one go, fueled by curiosity, get completely swept up in the catharsis, only to feel mounting dread, horror and heartbreak as a I realized that it all would be pulled right under me, and I would never get the same high from them. I never went Stargazing in my run after this, couldn't bear the thought of tarnishing those perfect moments with cold calculus of utility. Seeing some of the screenshots in this video now make me feel tempted to.
I agree, This is really a video that should be watched when you have had the ISAT experience, but equally, if I don't mention it, then I feel I'm not doing the game justice.
@indiegameculture1 As for the idea of replaying, I just couldn't do that to myself, because my time with the first playthrough was just so special I would never want to tarnish it in any way. Not to mention, it takes such a toll on you, and I just can't sign myself up for that again haha
game of the decade fr ✌️
I love this game
JELLO CONVINCED ME TO PLAY IT AND ITS THE BEST GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED
PLAY THE GAME RAAAAAA ITS SO GOOD
Yaaasssttt😊
🎉
i love this game
It’s an amazing game
not every 2d pixel art top down rpg game is made with rpg maker. undertale is not an rpg maker game. such a simple information to research and yet you didn't. tbf it's not that serious but i don't think anyone likes misinfo
Huge spoiler warning but this is my 5th favourite game ever
ALGORITHM COMMENT!!!!!
hey, you, yeah you reading this comment, you should play the game before everything lo-
While i personally disagree that it dethrones outer wilds as best timeloop game its def a very close second imo
Siphrin is he/they btw. I don't know if he is considered a "young man" if he's nonbinary.
I Disagree Because It Ain't Zeroranger
Outer wilds…
undertale is not rpgmaker
:( D
Hey! Just lyk, Siffrin in the game goes by He/They, and is non-binary!
yeaaaaa gay trans himbo time!
I must ask you and everyone else who makes videos like these, DO NOT SAY ANYTHING LIKE “it’s yours to experience” IVE BEEN LISTENING FOR 19 MINUTES AND YOU ARENT GONNA SAY THE ENDING?!? I have no hate towards you but things like this always frustrate me. Just emphasize a lot that you’d like for ppl to experience it, but people like me want to hear it in essays like this, so I must ask to please don’t do stuff like that.
Commenting to help this out in the algorithm so more people play this masterpiece.
You're doing god's work! Thank you :)
Hi Jello, happy to see you here lol
Hi jello, I still like lucario by the way
@@axew3127 what would Axew think?
jello more like meh-llo