VIRGINIA (2016) was an interesting game, I'll give it that. While it considers itself a narrative driven walking simulator, it uses a huge range of cinematic techniques to propel the plot forward such as cutscenes, flashbacks, times changes etc. This might have worked better if the game had been longer and the plot more throughly developed, however, it did little to enhance the limited experience or overall vagueness of this game. Another weird thing is there isn't any speaking in the game, no voices, conversations, dialogue etc. Everything is communicated passively through scenes, body language, facial expression, notes, music etc. The art style is pretty minimalistic and not much to write home about, although the music was pretty decent and helped keep the pace, emotion and intrigue going.
I'm okay with experimental. That's how new ground gets broken. I really tried to open my mind to the weirder aspects about this game, hoping to appreciate what I could about it. Give it a fair chance. And it was somewhat enjoyable, although I have conflicted feelings on this game overall, mainly because of the story and its vague ending. I do think the game needed more interactivity or puzzles or something for the players to do. In that way it was too much like a movie, which is not really what gamers enjoy about games. We like challenges, interactions, choices and gameplay. I personally love it when there is a great balance between Story, Art, and Music, as well.
Ultimately, my issue is with the plot, I think. I feel it was under-developed somehow. Parts of it felt profound and intriguing while other parts felt dull and pointless. For most of the game it felt like the developers were possibly onto something but constantly loosing it. There was something missing in the formula for me, something not quite right, but for an experimental indie game it wasn't all that bad. It was an alright game. But I know it could have been so much more, bigger somehow.
STORY: 4/10
GAMEPLAY: 4/10
GRAPHICS: 5/10
ART DESIGN: 5/10
MUSIC: 7/10
OVERALL RATING: 4.5.
