Yet that’s exactly the point–these sections serve to entertain, and flow with wonderful music and superb artistic direction, surprising you at every turn. As with the “puzzle” sections, these landscapes pose little-to-no challenge missing a jump drops you a few seconds back. Throughout the game, the story and challenges take a backseat to wonderful, spellbinding platforming sections. The button-pressing sections, while simple, can often frustrate. While occasionally tricky to remember the patterns, you’re not punished for getting them wrong they’re small, skill-based games designed to frame the wider narrative.

Using a five-button input–a Guitar Hero take on Hasbro’s Simon–you mimic other characters to connect your music with them. Soon, you’re performing your sci-fi rock to wild, weird beings with even crazier personalities. While no decisions really matter past simple dialogue, you bond with Francis and his demand to break free from the small-town mindset. People question who you are and what you’re about at every turn, and you’re effectively handed free rein to create your persona as you go. It’s a choose your own adventure, on rails. It doesn’t need to–you’re soon thrust into a figurative and literal rollercoaster as you navigate the barmy, colorful, hilarious world of musical self-discovery.

Partially against your will, and entirely with the suspension of disbelief, you’re whisked into the cosmos. Music god Lightman (Weathers)–a cross between Geordi La Forge, Emmett Brown, and Tom Baker as Doctor Who–tells you you’re his support act. After returning home and putting a record on, everything goes a bit “A Day in the Life,” and you’re suddenly greeted by alien Hypnagogic Zomm (Schwartzman), who wants to introduce you to a very special star indeed. Annapurna InteractiveĪ mysterious stranger in eclectic clothing known as Violetta arrives on the scene and actively encourages you to embrace who you are–not what your uncle was, or who the townsfolk hope you’ll become.

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