Video Game Review: Half Past Fate

Half Past Fate

Serenity Forge

Nintendo Switch

Adventure

I love a good romance story. I’m a sucker for slice of life comics and shows, and it would be nice to see the genre make its way into video games a bit more. Fortunately, it seems that Serenity Forge knows what I want and has delivered Half Past Fate, a romantic slice of life game where the player can experience the stories of six different people.

Half Past Fate throws players right into the shoes of one of the characters as he tries to talk to a crush of his. The gameplay is simple enough, players can walk around, interact with objects, and of course talk to NPCs. The various relationships are explored in different amounts over the course of 12 chapters and eight years. Some characters get a wonderful amount of exposure, while others don’t get more than a couple of hours in the spotlight. Of course, players will switch control of the different characters as they play.

The gameplay isn’t really anything special. Those who want to be engaged by gameplay rather than story will be disappointed by Half Past Fate. The gameplay is simply a vessel to push the story. Every action exists to either move the narrative forward or flesh out the world. If a player has no interest in this they will likely want to pass on Half Past Fate.

The stories are entertaining, giving small and sweet chunks of the characters’ lives. A couple of the stories will likely stick with the player for a little bit, while one couple is almost completely forgettable. The writing is passable, with the characters and the scenarios being at least believable. The script can be a bit cheesy at times, but it’s still endearing. Basically, the narrative isn’t perfect, but that doesn’t stop Half Past Fate from being enjoyable.

The most noteworthy aspect of Half Past Fate is the gorgeous art style. The game utilizes pixel art with pop up effects. The characters look like they were cut out and placed on stands, offering an aesthetically pleasing contrast. It’s a unique look that I haven’t really seen before, though Octopath Traveler is the closest thing I can think of. The colors are bright, adding tons of depth and even more charm to the whole experience. It’s a one of a kind look that makes the game worth checking out just for the art.

Half Past Fate is a unique narrative experience that will last players five to ten hours depending on how much the player explores the scenarios. For those who are looking for cute stories and a different kind of adventure, this is something to check out. It feels good to play and is inspirational for hopeless romantics.