If Found...

Through its vivid sketchbook art style and sharp writing, If Found gives a powerful, affecting story about empathy and acceptance as a young adult.

It’s refreshing and meaningful to see a complex story in which all pieces of the characters’ lives are considered, each part of a much larger story of a life, and the fantasy that such a life might also produce. There are painful, real moments in If Found…, but the game also revels in the support of friendship and family, too.

Delicate illustrations depict a world slipping away in this poignant drama, with memories we're invited to help young Kasio erase

For many, If Found... will be an interesting story about LGBTQ life in early '90s Ireland. For others, it'll be a callback to the heartache of our own coming out experiences. It tells a very specific story of a very specific girl, but its examinations of families, friends, and how we sometimes need to let go of the past if we want to move forward, are universal. This is a great example of how stories about LGBTQ characters don't have to be aimed exclusively at LGBTQ audiences, and even without my personal connection to the story, it's the most brilliant game I've played this year.

If Found… does a beautiful job of letting me vicariously experience Kasio’s life while inspiring me to contemplate similar moments in my own life as well. The beautiful illustrations, framing, and score make this game truly special and well worth checking out.

Essential and powerful, but perhaps seek out the mobile version first.

Anyone interested in narrative-focused games needs to check If Found… out.

If Found... is a short but deeply moving visual novel about Kasio, a young woman who has transitioned and returns to her conservative Irish hometown. The story is told through a unique "erasing" mechanic that reveals the next scene beneath, symbolizing memory and identity. While Kasio struggles with rejection from her family and community, she finds solace among a group of outsiders. The game interweaves her personal journey with a parallel sci-fi narrative, ultimately merging the two. With its stylized visuals, cultural authenticity, and emotional storytelling, If Found... delivers a powerful, artistic exploration of self-acceptance and belonging. It's a standout title that earned a Game Awards nomination for its social impact.

Being a visual novel, If Found… won't be for everyone, but those willing to give it a try will find a beautiful and endearing story of self-acceptance. The gorgeous hand-drawn art and the story coming directly from a diary really give the impression of an insight to someone's life, and the gameplay idea of actually erasing history and identity creates an intensely emotional experience.

If Found…is deep and comforting, a little disorienting, and at times heartbreaking. It is by no means trying to make people feel sorry for Kasio. Instead, it is creating an experience that some of us will never go through, and walking side-by-side with a character who does makes reality more understandable. As Kasio, we meet people who accept her, but also face hostility from the ones closest to her. It helps readers relate, understand, and reflect. It may be a very short game, but it tells a warm and powerful story that is worthwhile to read.