What Remains of Edith Finch is a narrative-driven adventure game that blends exploration with storytelling in a first-person perspective. Released in 2017 by Giant Sparrow and published by Annapurna Interactive, it follows Edith Finch as she returns to her family's sprawling, eccentric house in Washington state. Through her journey, players uncover a series of tales about her cursed family lineage, each one delving into the life and death of a relative. This indie title stands out for its focus on emotional depth and magical realism, making it a standout in the adventure genre for those seeking thoughtful, single-player experiences.
Gameplay
In What Remains of Edith Finch, the core gameplay revolves around exploring the massive Finch family home and its surroundings, including rooms, paths, and hidden passages. Players control Edith in a semi-linear fashion, interacting with objects like journals and mementos to unlock vignettes that recount the stories of deceased family members. Each vignette shifts in style and mechanics, from simple navigation to more interactive elements like balancing dual controls in a fantasy sequence while performing a mundane task. The first-person view keeps the focus on immersion, with Edith's narration adding layers of context. Stories vary widely, incorporating elements of magical realism, and each concludes with the family member's death, emphasizing themes of fate and the unknown.
Mechanics are tailored to each tale, ensuring variety without complex puzzles or combat. For instance, one segment might involve rhythmic actions tied to a character's imagination, while another uses environmental storytelling through letters or drawings. This approach keeps the experience fresh across its roughly two-hour runtime, prioritizing narrative over traditional gameplay challenges.
Game Modes
What Remains of Edith Finch features a single-player mode centered on its main story campaign. There are no multiplayer options or additional modes like challenges or endless play. The game unfolds as a cohesive narrative journey, with players progressing through the family's history in a structured sequence. Optional elements include the ability to skip certain sequences if desired, but the emphasis remains on experiencing the full collection of tales without branching paths or replay variations.
Story and Themes
The game's strength lies in its anthology of family stories, spanning generations from the early 1900s to the present. Themes explore mortality, legacy, and the blurred line between reality and myth, often leaving interpretations open-ended. Edith's quest to understand her heritage ties these vignettes together, creating a poignant reflection on human vulnerability. Awards such as Best Game at the 2018 BAFTA Game Awards and Best Narrative at The Game Awards 2017 highlight its storytelling prowess.
Is It Worth Playing?
Based on widespread acclaim, What Remains of Edith Finch holds strong appeal for fans of narrative adventures. It earned scores like 9/10 from Destructoid, 8.8/10 from IGN, and 91/100 from PC Gamer, with Metacritic aggregating near-universal praise across platforms. Players often commend its emotional impact and creative vignettes, though some note its short length and lack of replayability. As of 2026, the game remains in its complete form without ongoing updates or seasons, available on PC and other platforms. If you enjoy introspective single-player titles focused on story over action, it's a worthwhile pick, especially for its unique take on family curses and wonder.
