Game Cover

Yet, a stone still skips across the pond. We'll meet again in the beyond.

Platforms played on: PC

# Review

The Rewinder is a point and click adventure game steeped in Chinese folklore and mythology. The story follows Yun, the last remaining Rewinder who can explore the past through people’s memories in order to change the present. Yun is tasked with investigating Reed River Village when souls from the village are not being returned to the afterlife.

Yun, the protagonist

Games by Chinese indie developers don’t all make it to the West so I’m glad I was able to play this one. The story and lore are both fantastic, especially if one has a basic understanding of Chinese mythology and customs. I like the mystery aspect of the plot where Yun and his sidekick Light must uncover bits by bits what happened to the inhabitants of the village. The pixel art graphics and the folksy soundtrack are both decent and some settings are very atmospheric.

Pixel art style

The core gameplay of clicking and interacting with different aspects of the world isn’t really revolutionary. The game tries to add some new twists, such as Yun being able to listen and change the thoughts of NPCs in the past, which I found pretty interesting. Other mechanics, such as some light combat, felt out of place and poorly executed. The game does feature some puzzle elements and they’re relatively easy but still engaging.

Different puzzles

# Conclusion

An engaging narrative with Chinese overtones.

# Overall rating: 7.9

What does the rating mean?

# DLC Reviews

There is only one DLC for The Rewinder.

# Root of Evil [夜行柳渡]

This chapter serves as a prequel to Yun's story. The player assumes the role of Yun's father Mont as he searches for Yun's missing mother at XiangYang City. On the way to the city, Mont and a child Yun stumble across Liu Village, where the villagers act very strange.

This new mystery is similar to that of the main game and is pretty interesting. Mont from the DLC and adult Yun from the main game feel like the same character and much of the gameplay is similar. This DLC does feel rushed as the controls and localization isn't as good as that of the main game. The price tag of less than $2 is more than reasonable, though.

# Overall rating: 7.6