Endling: Extinction is Forever

“Endling” isn’t the sort of game you might settle down to play after a long day of doomscrolling through social media; it’s the sort that forces you to confront the monstrous scale and toll of human activity on the ecosystem and the planet. And yet, even as a deeply apocalyptic look at what feels like the imminent end of our world, the game’s profound pessimism doesn’t stray too far from the truth. Scientists have already warned that we are in danger of losing 20 to 50 percent of all species by the end of this century; the bulk of this is due to human activity.

Play as a mother fox looking for her missing cub in a post-apocalyptic future where Earth is slowly dying. A scrappy survival tale with moments of tension and tenderness.

The visuals are stunning, and the soundtrack excels at aiding in conveying the gravity of the bad, as well as the moments of light and joy included in the game. Overall, if you enjoy games with deeper meaning hidden beneath the surface, you’ll love Endling. If you enjoy games that make you cry, you’ll certainly find that with Endling. Bugs and minor issues aside, Endling is one of the more moving games I’ve played this year, and I highly recommend it. Just be sure to have some tissues on hand, just in case.

Endling may be lacking on the difficulty side, but it more than makes up for it when it comes to delivering a breathtaking story about loss, survival and the environment, topped with a gorgeous art style and an impressive evolving world to explore. It may be a brief journey (clocking in at around four hours), but it's one that's worth playing through, an emotional roller coaster that's still fun to play and gets you invested in the struggles of our furry friends, so don't sleep on it.

Endling - Extinction is Forever is a short yet impactful adventure that, despite its extreme simplicity and repetitive gameplay, manages to engage players emotionally through a story told from a unique perspective. Its distinctive, carefully crafted atmosphere pairs perfectly with stunning visuals and sound design. However, the frequent bugs—especially considering the game's brief length—might leave some players disappointed.

If you are looking for a game that touches your sensibilities and at the same time makes you think about the major issues that plague our poor world, Endling: Extinction is Forever is what you are looking for. Dive into this colourful but melancholic world, experience a glimpse into the life of another living being, observe the constant change caused by man, expand your horizons and visions, enjoy the journey but above all reflect on tomorrow, because the present we live today is the tomorrow we will leave to those who will come after. Do we really want to bequeath a ruined world?

Endling - Extinction is Forever is a harrowing and touching tale. It highlights mankind's destructive nature and deadly touch. Furthermore, you'll experience one mother's unwavering love as she battles to keep her family alive. Heartwrenching, captivating and beautiful!

In Endling – Extinction is Forever, we follow a fox mother and her puppies in a desperate struggle for survival in a world destroyed by man. The environmental theme is obvious, but never so exaggerated that it annoys. Instead, we're busy trying to keep our pups alive on a journey that scares and touches more than much — despite not a single word being uttered.

Endling may look nice, but it is a monotonous animal adventure with simple fox-feeding gameplay, bland skills, and restrictive exploration.

I hereby announce that Endling as the animal game of the year. I'm sorry Stray :(