Release Date: June 25, 2024
A narrative adventure game with elements of visual novels and pixel art graphics. Until Then tells the story of Mark Borja and his friends. We explore environments inspired by the Philippines. We must decide how Mark will evolve and will he become a better person.
Until Then is a 2.5D narrative adventure game with visual novel elements, in which we take on the role of high school student Mark Borja. It is the second game of Polychroma Games studio, which is based in the Philippines.
The game begins in the bedroom of a teenager, Mark Borja. Along with his friends he struggles with the typical life of a high school student. Everything changes when one day a chance encounter turns his life upside down. Mark has to uncover the mystery behind why people are disappearing. His memory is failing and he needs to find the answers before it's too late.
Until Then consists of twelve chapters, called scenes in the game, during which we can explore and interact with the environment.
Apart from exploring the world, an important aspect of the game is building relationships with Mark's friends and acquaintances. We can do this by talking to them in person or through online messengers and short messages.
Social media is also an important element of the game. It serves not only for conversations with other characters, but also allows for liking posts and posting comments, which has its consequences. As events unfold in the game, it is thanks to social media that we are able to discover the necessary clues.
Between exploration, communicating with other characters and browsing social media, the gameplay is diversified by mini-games inspired by everyday activities. For example, we can try to insert a pendrive into the USB port for the first time, or compete for who can pick up more balls at the food stand.
The graphic design of Until Then combines two-dimensional sprites with a three-dimensional environment. Our movement is limited horizontally, but an illusion of moving deeper into the location has been created.
The creators' inspiration with the landscapes of the Philippines, including the bustling capital and seaside towns, is important for the appearance of the game.
Platforms:
PC Windows June 25, 2024
Nintendo Switch June 26, 2025
PlayStation 5 June 25, 2024
Developer: Polychroma Games
Publisher: Maximum Entertainment / Zordix
System Requirements for Until Then Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-4460, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 750 Ti, 3 GB HDD, Windows 7 64-bit.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-6400, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 4 GB GeForce GTX 1650, 3 GB HDD, Windows 7/8/10/11 64-bit.
Game Ratings for Until Then Video Game.
GameSkinny: 8 / 10 by Ellie Sharpe
The devil really is in the details in Until Then, a heart warming narrative adventure.
Slant Magazine: 3.5 / 5 by Mitchell Demorest
The visuals are a standout in this regard too. For one, the graphic a friend makes in honor of a “date” you went on with a new classmate is so overblown (complete with doves) that it would look right at home memorializing someone’s tragically premature death. These jokes are funny, but they’re also emblematic of the way in which these kids—all of whom have their own deeply felt emotional baggage—ultimately lift each other up. It reflects a genuine and kind-hearted rejection of the kind of cynicism that’s far too often romanticized in other teen dramas.
Nintendo Life: 8 / 10 by Oliver Reynolds
Gameplay is understandably pretty limited, and you’ll spend most of your time simply pressing ‘A’ to advance the dialogue. Occasionally, you’ll be able to move left or right through the environment, and developer Polychroma Games has also seen fit to include a bunch of fun little minigames.
![[1:32] - Nintendo Switch Release Date Trailer](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/2076516125.jpg)
