Seasons after Fall

Seasons After Fall is a beautiful game with lovable fox and a sweet story. The art and the music are lovely and the voice acting is professionally done. The game has full controller support which was appreciated because I currently have my right hand (including 3 fingers) in a cast. I think this would be a tough game to play with a keyboard and mouse, even with two hands!
This a very complicated landscape that can be quite frustrating at times. The absence of a map and the inability to see more than the current screen compound your ability to feel hopelessly lost. Thus, prepare to peek at a guide or to practice patient exploration.
The game auto-saves at regular intervals to a single slot. Achievements are not truly missable, as you can circle back to take care of missing tasks or collectibles. The only exception to this may be the requirement of finding all 4 dreams to activate the full ending.
There is a lot of platforming required and no instructions in-game. The mechanics of the 4 seasons are tough initially but become intuitive after awhile. The good news is that there are no time limits and nothing to chase you.
All in all, a very cool but complex game. I recommend it to those who don't mind A LOT of running and jumping and are not in a hurry. Those who enjoy games like Neva and Gris (sans the monsters) should feel right at home in Seasons After Fall.

Season After Fall is a small game in scope, but one that leaves a surprisingly lasting impression thanks to its artistic identity, its atmosphere, and the elegance of its design. It is a 2D adventure-puzzle game in which you play as a fox, and that simple idea is enough to give the whole experience a very clear personality from the start. What makes it stand out is not complexity, but intention: every element feels carefully shaped, and the result is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be.

The gameplay is straightforward, but in the best possible way. The seasonal mechanic is easy to understand, yet it is used with enough creativity to keep the experience engaging throughout. The puzzles are never about overwhelming the player with systems or mechanics; instead, they work as part of the world itself, blending naturally with the environment and supporting the overall rhythm of the adventure. That sense of balance is one of the game’s greatest strengths. It does not try to be bigger than it is, and because of that, it succeeds as a focused, refined, and genuinely memorable experience.

What really gives the game its value is its direction artistica. The visual style is beautiful, soft, and carefully composed, with a strong sense of mood in every scene. The world feels hand-crafted rather than assembled, and that makes the journey feel intimate and personal. The game has that rare quality of being simple without feeling shallow. Instead, it feels thoughtful, poetic, and emotionally coherent. There is a quiet confidence in the way it presents itself, and that confidence is what makes it special.

The atmosphere is also strengthened by the music, which fits the tone of the game perfectly. Everything works together in a way that feels delicate and harmonious, and that harmony is exactly what makes the experience so pleasant to revisit in memory. It is the kind of game that does not need to constantly impress in order to stay with you. It wins you over through charm, consistency, and artistic care.

For me, this game remains especially close to my heart for two reasons.
The first is the fox itself. Anyone who knows my profile name can probably understand why that matters to me. There is something deeply personal about playing a game centered around a fox, and that made the experience feel even more meaningful from the beginning.
The second reason is just as important: after spending decades primarily on consoles, Season After Fall became the game that marked my return to PC gaming. I had played on PC as a child, but over the years I had gradually moved almost entirely to consoles. This game represented the beginning of a new chapter in my gaming life, bringing me back to a platform I had left behind long ago. Since then, PC has become my primary way of playing, to the point that I have never felt the desire to go back. Because of that, Season After Fall was not only a good game, but also a deeply symbolic one, tied to an important turning point in the way I experience this hobby.

It may be a simple adventure on the surface, but it carries a lot of heart, elegance, and identity. That is why it left such a strong impression on me, and why I will always remember it with affection. A beautiful, thoughtful, and quietly special game.

It's a simple, and perhaps slightly repetitive game, which I know may be a turn off for many players, but it is a beautiful game, and for me it's a wonderful way to untwist my thoughts and find a sort of grounded peace for a few hours every couple years, once its been long enough that I've forgotten the solutions to the puzzles and can replay with a pretend blindness. The soundtrack is a masterpiece, gentle drone notes with strings sparkling throughout, and the artwork brings a sort of watercolor smokiness to life. Overall, an admittedly niche experience with astounding beauty and peace if it suits your taste, one which I've played multiple times and will play many more.

This lovely game unfolds like a tale, a gentle story set in a charming forest, filled with spirits and mysteries. The gameplay is built around a simple idea, the control of the seasons, but doesn’t stop at just heating, freezing, or making things bloom. The different powers are interesting and are used thoughtfully in the various puzzles you encounter.
The game shows its age a little: by today’s standards, it can feel somewhat slow, especially at the beginning. But if you give it a chance, you’ll discover a sweet little platformer with a painted, storybook-like style. The music complements the levels with a subtle personality, where you can hear the plucking of violin strings.
The 100% is smooth. It requires a bit more exploration than you might do naturally, but nothing difficult or grindy. I didn’t even feel the need to use a guide to find the flowers. Just make sure to complete the non-story achievements before finishing the game (which is easy to anticipate), and you’re all set.
Thanks for reading, I wish you a bright week! If you found this review helpful, feel free to leave a thumbs up (if you’d like, of course).

A gentle adventure told like a children’s story, revolving around the forest, emotions, and growing up.
The entire game is hand-drawn, which gives it a lot of charm. The soundtrack is light and pleasant, and it fits the experience very well.
Gameplay-wise, it’s a mix of platforming and puzzles. Unfortunately, it feels a bit dated. While controlling the character is fairly enjoyable, puzzle-solving can sometimes feel slow. The game often requires backtracking and activating multiple mechanisms, which can make the experience feel a bit sluggish and occasionally frustrating. Some shortcuts do unlock as you progress, but they remain somewhat limited.
In the end, the overall feeling is a bit mixed, but it’s still a pleasant adventure to experience.

Seasons After Fall is a beautifully crafted indie puzzle-platformer that offers a unique and tranquil journey through a mystical forest. Developed by Swing Swing Submarine and published by Focus Entertainment, the game invites players to step into the paws of a clever fox imbued with the magical ability to control the changing seasons. The premise centers on restoring balance to the natural world by recovering lost fragments of each season, a narrative woven subtly through the game's environments and atmospheric cues rather than overt storytelling. This focus on exploration and harmony with nature gives the game a calm and reflective tone, setting it apart from more conventional, combat-heavy titles.
The game's artistic design is one of its most striking features. Every scene feels hand-painted, filled with lush detail and vibrant colors that shift dramatically with the seasons. From the bright, warm hues of autumn leaves swirling in the wind to the stark, icy blues of winter, each seasonal transition is visually stunning and plays a vital role in gameplay. The player’s ability to switch between seasons dynamically alters the landscape, unlocking new paths, freezing lakes to walk on, or causing plants to bloom and grow. This mechanic is not just clever but deeply satisfying, encouraging players to experiment and observe the environment closely to solve puzzles and progress. The world feels alive and reactive, inviting players to slow down and savor its beauty.
Accompanying the gorgeous visuals is an evocative and soothing soundtrack, performed live by a string quartet. The music perfectly complements the game's peaceful atmosphere, enhancing the emotional weight of the journey without ever overpowering the experience. Ambient sounds like the rustling of leaves, gentle wind, and distant animal calls further immerse players in this magical woodland setting. This careful sound design contributes to the game's meditative quality, making it feel like a brief but deeply meaningful escape into nature.
Despite its many strengths, Seasons After Fall is not without its limitations. One of the most notable drawbacks is the game's relatively short length; many players report completing the main story in about four to six hours. While the experience is rich and rewarding, this brevity can leave some wanting more, especially those who enjoy longer or more complex puzzle-platformers. Additionally, the game’s minimalistic approach to guidance means players might occasionally feel directionless or stuck without clear objectives or hints. This lack of hand-holding can frustrate some, though it also encourages exploration and problem-solving through observation and experimentation.
Replay value is somewhat limited as well. Beyond the main quest, there are collectibles scattered throughout the forest, such as hidden flowers and dreams, which encourage thorough exploration. However, these collectibles serve mainly as achievements rather than adding substantial new content or challenges. Once players have completed the game, there is little incentive to return, as the puzzles and season-switching mechanics do not evolve or expand. For players seeking a deeper or more extended engagement, this might be disappointing.
Nevertheless, Seasons After Fall excels in delivering a charming and serene experience that resonates emotionally with many players. Its emphasis on nature, subtle storytelling, and seamless integration of seasonal mechanics make it a standout among indie puzzle games. The game's peaceful pace and beautiful world provide a perfect escape for those looking to unwind and appreciate thoughtful game design and artistry. It is a title that invites contemplation rather than competition, making it ideal for players who enjoy games as a form of artistic expression and quiet exploration.
In sum, Seasons After Fall is a lovingly crafted game that shines through its atmosphere, art, and innovative use of seasonal shifts. While it may not satisfy those craving hours of complex gameplay or fast-paced action, it offers a refreshing alternative — a brief but immersive journey into a magical forest filled with wonder and subtle storytelling. For anyone who appreciates calm, beauty, and the gentle challenge of nature-inspired puzzles, this game is a memorable and worthwhile experience.
Rating: 8/10

What a little gem this game is! Simple and easy, but full of entertainment. Story is good, music is lovely, characters are relatable, world is gorgeous, achievements are relatively easy, puzzles are lightly challenging, and controls are simple (though jumping can be a bit finicky). Some areas can be a bit confusing to navigate as you don't get a map but overall it's not that tedious to traverse.
Definitely recommend picking this one up.
8/10 Adorable yips