The other is roped off and covered in toys and painted to look like a spaceship flying among the stars. One side is covered in posters urging people to join the army, a high school diploma, and an ashtray full of used cigarettes. One room stood out to me in particular – one shared by twins Sam and Calvin, divided in half. Even though its tenants are long gone, every room of the house paints a picture of those who lived there.

That’s not to say that your guided tour of the Finch house isn’t interesting. As a result What Remains of Edith Finch is more akin to a visual novel with bits of gameplay in between long stretches of story. The game will take you where you need to go, and it won’t require you to navigate through puzzles or intentionally convoluted environmental design to get there. It made getting where I needed to be easy, and helped alleviate occasional frustration I felt toward similar games like Gone Home, but those looking for a more involved experience won’t find it here. As I walked through the cramped halls I was guided by Edith’s narration, which appeared in her handwriting across the walls and next to items of importance. Wandering through the Finch’s home is a straightforward affair, so I have a hard time calling What Remains of Edith Finch an exploration-based game.