It’s not just the lack of immediate consequence, but the amount of time spent on conversations that are there for no other reason than to pad out the runtime. Sure, it helped smooth things over with the neighbors (and Rene’s parents), but there was no immediate consequence to my decision, leaving it to feel a little pointless in the moment, and made me question the significance of future choices I’d need to make as a result. It often led me to question what the significance of something as menial as repairing a tractor had in the grander narrative. While it’s clear that the developers have spent time trying to highlight the significance of Whit’s relationship with his immediate family and his beloved wife, it meanders far too often, slowing down the pace. Generally speaking, the pacing just seems a little bit off. Given the narrative is interesting enough, with some unexpected twists and turns throughout Whit’s life that’ll keep you on your feet, I have no complaints about the actual narrative itself, more about the way in which it is executed. Sometimes you’ll build things, but it’s distilled down to simply pressing and holding Square until the wheel fills.
You’re making decisions and often walking around town going from one place to another to talk with someone or interact with an item. The idea that some dreams are worth giving up on in order to allow someone else to pursue theirs, or to simply pursue another.Ī lot of the enjoyment here is going to come from following the story, as the gameplay is pretty light. It’s a tale of sacrifices and trade-offs. It’s in these conversations that Where the Heart Leads really engages you with its insightful commentary on life. Each one of them had a distinct personality that became more and more evident as I navigated these memories, and thanks to the strong writing, I felt like I knew each one of them by the time the credits rolled. His daughter, the ever-inquisitive soul, or his brother - the stoner dosser trying to get his life back on track, or Rene, his rather demanding but well-meaning wife. He looked out for his brother, and always put other people’s needs before his own.Įven getting to know Whit’s immediate family and friends was intriguing enough. He let bygones be bygones when it came to his wife working with a former flame (trust is key!) and did his best to provide for his family while keeping the kids happy. I actually really enjoyed getting to know Whit and shaping him into my own vision of a good father and husband. You’re then tasked with guiding Whit out of the hole, back to the bathtub he used to winch himself back down in the hope he can use it to reunite with his family.įrom then on, Where the Heart Leads flits between the present-day Whit as he ambles around the different ‘levels’ of the sinkhole and continues to ascend out of it, and flashback scenes that recount significant stages of his childhood, young adulthood, parenthood, and so on. Those that aren’t necessarily clear-cut in their obvious outcome, but instead play a part in shaping your relationships with your family and those around you, which in turn, affects how elements of the story play out.Īlas, Whit manages to rescue Casey, but at his own expense, falling to the bottom of the hole. This initial decision gives you an idea of the kind of choices you’ll be making throughout the game.
#Where the heart leads review how to
Waking up in the middle of the night to a strange noise, Whit and his family head out onto their land to find a massive sinkhole, and their dog somewhere inside it.Īs you survey the sinkhole and try and formulate a plan on how to reach your beloved doggo Casey, Whit has the option to rescue her on his own, or speak with his wife Rene about his plan. You assume control of Whit Anderson, a loving father and husband who’s always trying to do the best for his family.
It has a multitude of endings, but the narrative drags its feet at times, making engaging with the story feel more laborious and a ‘one and done’ deal, rather than something I want to play through over and over. Attempting to create an experience where you feel as though the choices you make truly matter, the game hooked me in with its intriguing premise, but failed to keep me interested throughout its duration. Where the Heart Leads is a victim of its own ambition.
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