Annapurna Interactive has a well-earned reputation for releasing thematically challenging and experimental video games. The publisher has some spectacular games under its belt, including the powerful folk fantasy of Kentucky Route Zero and the unending charm of Donut County. This year Annapurna Interactive has teamed up with developer DREAMFEEL for If Found... the interactive visual novel.

If Found... tells the story of Kasio, a trans woman who lives on Achill Island off the west coast of Ireland in December 1993. It's a story about the challenges faced by Kasio, and how she finds a new family through a group of young people living in an abandoned, decrepit mansion. Meanwhile, a distant astronaut is trying to save Earth from the threat on a black hole.

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It's fair to say that If Found... covers off a powerful story told extremely well. Its cast of characters are written with subtlety and empathy, from the core group of Kasio, Colum et al. through to the nuanced and loveable Maggy. The inclusion of elements of Irish slang and culture add a depth to the whole experience, while those not familiar with Irish language and dialect will appreciate the glossary of terms available for access.

If Found Stars

This story is complemented by the wonderful, kaleidoscopic visuals of the game. If Found... is framed around Kasio's scrapbook, and this visual device is extremely evocative. The constantly shifting color palette and mixed use of images and Kasio's notes makes If Found... one of a kind and a step above even the most impressive visual novels available.

If Found... delivers its aesthetic and its story seamlessly, with variations in design to match the events of the story. When Kasio goes to see Colum, Shans and Jack play their first gig (with their wonderfully-named group Bandshee), the noise of the show is conveyed well through scratchy art and dark colors. Later on as the weather turns, the snow leaves a beautiful inverted pattern in the text, as just another example of how If Found... is able to provide a varied experience beyond its linear gameplay.

It's this seamless quality that truly makes If Found... stand out. While its art is able to effortlessly shift time and time again, so too does its story focus, with the tale of Kasio and the astronaut Cassiopeia merging as time goes on. It's true of the game's score too, with music shaping the tone and feel of the game at each and every turn.

If Found House

As such there's lots that already makes If Found... hit home, and its interactive elements are a step above its contemporaries too. The core mechanic is effectively the erasure of Kasio's diary, rubbing out written lines and pictures as the story progresses, often tying directly into the story moments such as the steady disintegration of the old mansion. It's a mechanic that means If Found... works extremely well on the Switch,  as the game can be explored using the touch screen on the Switch for a tactile feel.

Of course all of this cohesion wouldn't mean much should If Found... fail to have an impactful message to share, but thankfully the game is extremely powerful. Without giving anything away, If Found... manages to pack a serious emotional punch. Covering themes of family, acceptance, community wellbeing, and finding oneself, the fact that it manages to pull it all together in its short runtime is remarkable.

Although the game has bittersweet trappings, at its core If Found... has a warming and personal story to share. In spite of all the pain and fear, being around the people who love you for who you are - particularly when sharing a pot of tea - is a place to find a home. The journey to reach that point may be a hard one, but If Found... shows that being true to oneself and finding those who will support you on your way will set you on the right path.

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If Found... is out now for Nintendo Switch, PC, and iOS devices. Screen Rant was provided with a Switch download code for the purposes of this review.