Opus: Echo of Starsong

OPUS: Echo of Starsong is a lovely game, an emotional adventure that represents the apex of the series to date and easily one of the best story-driven games on Switch. It's also excellent value for money, offering around ten hours of game for its low price, more if you really take your time and soak the whole thing up the way you really should do. While the character designs are a little too familiar, the characters themselves are complex, interesting, and likeable, and the story told with them is a complete, satisfying tale. Oh, and when the opening suggests playing with headphones? That's a hard agree from us, both to help with the music-based puzzles and simply to enjoy the excellent score.

OPUS: Echo of Starsong was a complete surprise to me in several ways. The gameplay was enjoyable without ever becoming too frustrating or boring, the visual presentation was beautiful, and the focus on audio was implemented well. But what ultimately stood out to me most was the creativity and care put into the story. This was an absolutely touching and memorable sci-fi tale with an endearing cast of characters, and it left quite the impression after I finished the game. Much like the echoes of ephemeral sound that the characters follow throughout the stars, OPUS: Echo of Starsong might just leave you with a lasting impression.

While the premise itself doesn't stand up to much scrutiny, Opus: Echo of Starsong is loosely interesting from a soft sci-fi perspective. The problem is the story doesn't go anywhere and most of the characters are annoying. For a story based on character interaction, when the interaction leaves the reader put off by the plot, there isn't much left.

OPUS: Echo of Starsong might not hit the mark in every area - mixing together the worst elements of a visual novel and a puzzle game might not sound like the most enthralling video game experience but it somehow just works. Sure, there are problems with some aspects of the game but sticking with Starsong will reward you with a story that, despite its fantastical setting, remains a very human affair that's full of feeling.

OPUS: Echo of Starsong is a beautiful tale about how to navigate the expectations life puts before us, with beautiful presentation and decent gameplay.

I normally believe it is bad form to talk about other reviews in my own review, but I cannot help but feel awkward and a bit guilty when I see the universal acclaim this game has gotten. Between a 90 on Metacritic and an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating on Steam, it would be dishonest for me to say that I think you will not enjoy Echo of Starsong. However, it would also be dishonest for me to pretend that I did. Basic probability says that you will likely love this game, but if the game's random dice roll events have taught me anything, it's that even the highest chance of success can still lead to a hollow tale of failure.

Opus: Echo of Starsong is a very particular kind of game, but when you give your time to it fully, it’s a rewarding and wonderful experience.

Anime-style space opera full of space adventures, archaeological myths and mysteries, impossible connections between humans and a young love as awkward as it is beautiful, all narrated with a near-perfect audio design and script.

As a fan of the previous OPUS titles, each of which offered up their own unique sort of world with rich characters and story elements to engage with, I expected something along those same lines with Starsong...

OPUS: Echo of Starsong is a great adventure game combining the best of several genres. Together, they create a unique concept of a touching and unforgettable story full of twists and turns, impressive visuals, sophisticated characters cleverly blended into the plot and a pleasant sound design. This game really does have an all personifying quality to it, and the slower pace gives you time to connect with the characters and experience their heartbreaking journey alongside them as if you were just another member of the crew.