Until Then: Deluxe Edition is a simulation narrative adventure game available on Xbox Series X|S. Players step into the shoes of high school student Mark Borja as he balances daily routines with unexpected events in a world still healing from catastrophe. The experience centers on realistic teenage life mixed with mystery, where routine actions like practicing piano or racing through homework deadlines lead into deeper investigations of unreliable memories and disappearing people.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around managing Mark's schedule while building connections with a cast of characters. Conversations happen in person, through text messages, and via email, allowing relationships to develop or fracture based on choices made during interactions. Players navigate group projects, personal insecurities, and the small victories or setbacks that define high school years.
Exploration happens through an in-game smartphone that serves as a hub for social media, emails, and webpages. Scrolling through posts and chatting with friends or strangers can reveal clues about the surrounding world and the people in it. Everyday technology becomes a tool for piecing together hints without leaving the familiar flow of student life.
Minigames add layers of mundane activity that feel true to daily routines. These include precise actions like inserting a flash drive correctly on the first try, competing for food at a stand, or timing movements to pay for a ride. Such moments break up the narrative and ground the story in relatable tasks that players perform alongside the larger mystery.
Game Modes
The game operates as a singleplayer narrative experience where progression follows the main storyline while allowing personal choices to shape outcomes. Branching paths emerge from decisions about standing up for friends or letting them down, creating different ways the relationships and personal growth unfold over time.
Minigames function as integrated activities within the primary mode rather than separate options. They appear naturally during the school day or social encounters, encouraging players to engage with the world through small, repeatable challenges that tie directly into the story beats and character interactions.
Narrative Themes and Choices
Themes of love, loss, and friendship drive the emotional core. Mark confronts philosophical questions about healing from the past and supporting those around him. Mistakes carry weight, and players decide how the protagonist grows by choosing whether to prioritize relationships or focus inward during key moments.
Personal stories of supporting characters develop alongside the central plot. Watching these unfold adds depth, as individual arcs intersect with Mark's journey and respond to the choices made throughout the school year and the unfolding events.
Visual Style and Setting
Hand-drawn pixel art combines with 3D elements for characters, landscapes, and props. Lighting, shadows, and reflections create a cinematic feel that matches the warm tones of a recovering world. The presentation emphasizes atmosphere over flashy effects, drawing attention to the details of everyday spaces and interactions.
The setting draws from Philippine locations and culture. Players travel between bustling urban areas and quieter coastal or rural stretches via bus rides and local landmarks. Interior designs reflect local mannerisms, creating an authentic backdrop for the story without relying on generic environments.
Is It Worth Playing?
Until Then: Deluxe Edition suits players who enjoy story-driven simulation games focused on relationships, personal growth, and subtle mystery elements. The blend of routine activities with investigative smartphone use and meaningful choices creates a grounded experience that rewards attention to character details and everyday moments.
Those drawn to narrative adventures with cultural specificity and a mix of light minigames will find the structure engaging. The emphasis on consequences from social interactions and decisions makes it particularly appealing for anyone interested in how small actions shape larger outcomes in a high school setting.
