Goodbye Volcano High is Beautiful

Рет қаралды 4,562

Күн бұрын

I'm so, so happy to see that this game was able to release despite everything. It breaks my heart to see the amount of hate the project has gotten, and I hope that even if it's just by a small amount, my review helps to turn the discussion in a more positive light.
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Stole some stuff from Wikipedia to get more recommendations from keywords, you can't stop me, hehehe...
Goodbye Volcano High is a narrative adventure game by KO_OP. It features anthropomorphic dinosaur Fang attempting a band audition while attending school Volcano High. The game was released on 29 August 2023, for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows.
Set in a world of anthropomorphic dinosaurs, the game centers on the members of the band VVorm Drama; the non-binary lead vocalist Fang the pterodactyl (Lachlan Watson), guitarist Trish the triceratops (Ozioma Akagha) and drummer Reed the velociraptor (Mark Whitten), alongside the school's student council president Naomi the parasaurolophus (Allegra Clark) and Fang's brother Naser (Abe Bueno-Jallad), - as they venture through the highs and lows of their final year as Volcano High seniors with graduation looming over the horizon while coming to terms with their own impending extinction from an asteroid.
The game was initially announced during PlayStation's "Future of Gaming" online presentation on 11 June 2020, with a release window of 2021. In August 2021, KO_OP announced a delay of Goodbye Volcano High's release until sometime in 2022. The developers wanted to avoid crunch related to the unspoken disease, and had already brought in a new writing team from Sweet Baby Inc. in June 2020 to reboot the game's entire narrative direction. The new narrative direction was largely inspired by the experiences of high school seniors graduating during the pandemic. In November 2022, the game was delayed to 2023. A new gameplay trailer premiered during a PlayStation "State of Play" presentation on 23 February 2023, announcing a release date of 15 June but was delayed to 29 August.

Пікірлер: 72

@jatmoz 11 ай бұрын

I'll admit it, the game just wasn't for me but, given the surrounding context, it's refreshing to hear the thoughts of someone who enjoyed it to such a passionate degree. Goes to show that, no matter what you put out there, someone out there will appreciate what you made, even if the dominant reception might suggest otherwise. Also can relate on being a sucker for cute romance stories, it's a curse.

@Alien-d3z Жыл бұрын

Its drawn by someone who very obviously is not used to drawings anthros

@Javakatt 11 ай бұрын

The character designs aren’t bad per se, but they definitely could’ve hired a furry or two to help out lol

@romanov3937 Жыл бұрын

I am going to be honest, this game's story felt empty, it was said our choices matter but they really don't, it only has 1 ending.

@vinteb7987 7 ай бұрын

Yeah, and the only difference it has is cosmetics on Fang

@Emmy-S55 Жыл бұрын

I’m going to be honest, I did not like this game, but as someone who is studying game design in general, it’s interesting to hear a different opinion since most of what I heard is mainly negative. It may be related to my different taste in gaming, but even though I felt the story had an interesting premise, everything felt shallow. And the technical problems are kind of a big deal to me. The OST is pretty good though and the voice actors are genuinely talented Nonetheless, I’m glad you enjoyed the game, but in my opinion, there are game that explores some of these themes in a much interesting way, at least in my opinion.

@KitTheGoddess Жыл бұрын

I appreciate your respectfulness with your disagreement. It's a nice refresher when almost every other negative comment I get is a personal attack (I delete those ones), people saying I'm factually incorrect, or demonstrating that they clearly did not watch the entire video lol

@Emmy-S55 Жыл бұрын

@@KitTheGoddess I figured as much, unpopular opinions aren’t usually listened to, but a respectfully disagreement and discussions can actually lead to much more interesting experiences sometimes. Hopefully my dumb little comment can set an example of sorts.

@incars1000 11 ай бұрын

Got some examples? I've never seen anything like this game. Its a shame it launched in the state it did, the vast majority of the technical issues are sorted now

@Emmy-S55 11 ай бұрын

@@incars1000 yes sure, and unfortunately I decided to play it before the patch, following the outrage and wondering what the fuss was all about. The fact that they are and have fixed it up is certainly admirable, it shows that they care, but still the animations are kind of stiff and they could have polished them better. And frankly I don’t think they focused too much on the fact that some characters are LGBTQ, I think Sage is a big example, let me get this straight though, it’s not like they shouldn’t have, but I would have liked it to be an aspect of the character instead of most of the character, which is a shame, because they’re conversation with Fang at the Bus stop was genuinely relatable to me and I imagine that it’s the same to many others that played this game. As a metter of fact, most characters feels like they have missed potential to be interesting, but it kind of fall flat for me. And the rhythm games should be harder, I know that many people say it was meant to help beginners, such as myself I would add, but I want to be challenged by game not letting it holding my hand, because then my achievements feel futile. I’m sure the team behind the project has poured a lot of passion into this project, and we all fall from times to times, so I hope they can learn what, in my opinion, they did wrong in GVH and improve upon it. Hopefully that is a concise enough argument to sum up what I think is wrong with the game.

@incars1000 11 ай бұрын

@@Emmy-S55 I meant examples of games that explored the themes better! Its interesting how you felt things were so representative, but also fell flat. Sage is probably my favourite character because of their joyous personality and a heck of a voice actor behind them (and Sage is cute as heck). I'm not sure I get your point that they didn't focus too much on LGBTQ, but they did for Sage? I usually overlook more overt rep but do notice it, but never got that feeling here, it felt just the right amount for the characters that wanted to talk about it at the right times. I was desperate for more of the characters stories to flesh them out further, but had to appreciate the difficulty of producing this level of animation probably limited things.

@faitfoxworth 7 ай бұрын

I went into goodbye volcano high completely blind. I knew nothing about it, not even the premise on it. and especially I knew nothing about all the down talks and all the insults the game had endured. I guess that is why I actually liked and even loved the game, I went in completely unbaised with my opinions and just went along. The more I experienced the game(Watching a playthrough) the more I enjoyed the character developments, plot, characters unlike any other game. And part way through completing a playthrough of the game, I decided to check what everyone is thinking about the game, I mean I loved it, So I assumed everyone would have somewhat of the same experience. But to my absolute dismay it was quite the opposite, and thats why I am here, just glad that I was not the only one who actually genuinely enjoyed the game. I understand why people hate it such as the character designs but I don’t think the game deserves to be as hated like it is now. I guess I am just the select groups of people who somehow actually finds true beauty in the game.

@WormDrama 11 ай бұрын

This is still my favorite game this year and i still see myself running through it again and again and again ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

@WormDrama 10 ай бұрын

@@renatojativa4128 yee I've replayed it like 4 times now and I'm on the 5th run through 🙃

@zerenli9777 10 ай бұрын

You made it a real 30$ game💖

@littlemoth4956 5 ай бұрын

You need to play some more games lol

@sarajlija5237 4 ай бұрын

@@littlemoth4956 Wait till you find out about opinions

@RaptureRefugee 7 ай бұрын

I'm so glad you put out this video! There is a huge hate-fuck around this game, when it honestly isn't bad in the slightest. The lip syncing could be better, sure, and it was a little corny, but there is so much to like. Emotion, character development, solid rhythm mechanics, super talented VAs, and really good writing. It reminded me a lot of Life Is Strange. WORM DRAMA FOREVER

@littlemoth4956 5 ай бұрын

"it honestly isn't bad in the slightest." If you watched the videos criticizing it you'd see that's not true.

@Unmaskedblasphemy08 4 ай бұрын

@@littlemoth4956 He meant it wasn't AS BAD as a lot of people said it was It isn't perfect but damn it made me cry ngl

@KitTheGoddess 3 ай бұрын

@Oztheguyy (I use she/her pronouns, btw!)

@ChizFri 6 ай бұрын

I was directed to this video by another fan because, as someone that's cis, I wanted to see what the experience of someone trans was. It makes me very happy to see that Goodbye Volcano high has good representation of the struggles of queer people, mostly because it helps me understand those struggles better. GVH is absolutely a top ten game for me and I've already played it twice as well (first time focusing on Naser, Trish, Naomi, and Reed, and the second on Rosa and Sage). While I can't connect with the main cast on some regards, I definitely relate to the struggles of most of them (dreams and aspirations dashed by global events, overwhelming expectations from parents, existential dread, etc.) As far as the complaints about the story being linear, maybe it's because I come from platform and adventure games but I didn't see it as an issue, as it allowed the story that was told to be the best it could, instead of a couple of well-written paths and then the rest getting worse as the writers lose steam or care (as I'm to understand happens with VNs with a lot of branching story paths.) Thank you for your video, and I hope to see you grow in this endeavor!

@Angel-kx9ij Ай бұрын

Finally a KZbin Video about, why this game can actually be good to some people instead of people just hating on it! Loved this game ❤️. I went in completely blind and knew nothing about the hate, which is maybe why I liked it so much. This just shows that you maybe shouldn’t always judge anything by what others say about it

@incars1000 11 ай бұрын

Great review, I'm a cis sort of straight guy in my 40s but this game left a heck of a lasting effect on me. It really is a special story to tell given everything we've been through in the last few years and the ever shitter world being left for your generation and the next.

@incars1000 10 ай бұрын

@@Omabatfartsbruh no and that game doesn't sound appealing at all

@Alewolf01 11 ай бұрын

I feel people are too harsh on this game, seems it got a lot of hate with no chance? I didn't play it myself but I did watch a video of all whole playthrough with no comments of the players just the game playing. and I was pulled into story. yeah lthe lip sync is very noticble on matching up right but it's not "worst" thing ever. I really enjoyed my time watching this game from start to finish. Reed is my faverite out of the whole group fang is #2

@yeahhaey3059 11 ай бұрын

I mean the music is good...

@krdt1111 Жыл бұрын

I remember hearing about this game in 2021, super super cool to see it get a release

@FangAlt 4 ай бұрын

Dino people ✨

@NotReinaHamazaki 8 ай бұрын

Godspeed WormDrama!!!

@DivDavD Жыл бұрын

Was on my list already but did not see any coverage. Glad to see it lives up to the hype! 😁

@propernoun1583 9 ай бұрын

I personally loved the story for this game. The characters resonated well with me, and I personally love the art style. I have a feeling this would have done better if it was marketed better, or if they went with making this into a TV limited series or KZbin series. There isn’t a ton of actual gameplay, and people looking for a dating sim or branching RPG would be left disappointed. People who are also anti-lgbt or not in the right age group simply wouldn’t understand the nuances and struggles of each character. I’m disappointed, but not with the story. With better marketing, I feel this could’ve been more successful.

@KitTheGoddess 9 ай бұрын

To be fair, it is an indie game. Those devs don't generally tend to have huge marketing budgets. Plus, it was put in not only multiple States of Play, but also the reveal presentation for the PS5. I think it just took a bit too long to come out and also came out at a time when a LOT of other highly anticipated games were coming out soon after it.

@propernoun1583 9 ай бұрын

I wasn't referring to the budget, I was more referring to how people could easily go in from reading the tags expecting something completely different. Not enough emphasis is put on it being an interactive story, rather than a CYOA game. But yes, otherwise I agree.@@KitTheGoddess

@OkOk-np8wp 9 ай бұрын

As a Genderfluid Pansexual person, Goodbye Volcano High really struck a chord with me and I love the way that you showed it in the video. Around the time I played it, I had a very "ride or die" philosophy where I was pretty self centered and always felt like I just had to tough things out, praying I had a future, but GBVH showed me a very different viewpoint on how the people around me mattered that I didn't really get at the time, and now that I actually beat the game, I'm actively shivering with how much I feel from it, and I love how much your video wraps it up. And one thing this game has especially reminded me to do is that I need to have my own opinions even when some people are hateful (mainly referencing all the reviews of the unspoked anti-fan game and the anti-fan game itself), and it felt nice to finally watch a positive review when so many others bashed it for just being a queer game, so thank you for making a video on it, can't wait to see more content like this!

@chuksk8592 10 ай бұрын

For me, it was actually one of my favourite games this year! Personally it was a touching one, & having anticipated the release since the announcement, I'm glad I enjoyed it. There are issues I have with it but those are mainly more "minor, technical" stuff, the overall length, etc. that I can definitely withstand. As a whole, a game that you can enjoy (at least if you're LGBT+ or an ally like me), definitely unforgettable if you let yourself connect with it!

@verm_ms 11 ай бұрын

finally an actual review im so tired of the videos blindly hating on this game for no reason

@DeadAugur 10 ай бұрын

4chan got a hold of it and anything lgbtq+ related they are always going to go after

@CrowInAHat 8 ай бұрын

There is a reason like it or not. It’s just not that good.

@RobinSylveoff 6 ай бұрын

As a non-binary musician, this game pretty much hit me double whammy. I can't stop thinking of what Fang's future as a musician would've been. And as a immigrant myself, the Rosa campfire scene also hit way too close to home (like the meteor). While not technically unsafe, me visiting relatives in my home country would be a pretty big disaster. Minor thing, the voice actor for Fang, Lachlan Watson, also sang some of the songs.

@Avabees Жыл бұрын

thanks for the recc! Id like to check it out so im tapping out early

@KitTheGoddess Жыл бұрын

Hope you enjoy it!

@NocturnalBunny Жыл бұрын

As someone that also saw this game in the PS5 reveal, im extremely happy the game came to fruition. Played it a month ago when it came out and I loved it, also me being a 2020 graduate and a trans woman too connected me to the narrative more than I thought originally, it really hit hard.. I really do wanna say more but honestly everything you said in the video was pretty much on the dot from what I thought about the game. Thanks for making this video, I really hope this game gets seen more in a positive light rather than get overshadowed for something so hateful and underserving of the attention.

@jeremiahwright4450 3 ай бұрын

Who what else is beautiful? My MOM!!!

@reirose3069 3 ай бұрын

I think the game is fine. For me though, there was something missing from it that could've made it a good game. It looks beautiful and imo the character designs are really solid. The story might be the issue. For a game like this, I feel the story is what needed to be the main focus needs to be along with possible side stories to enhance it just a bit more. Overall I'll give it a 5 or 6 out of 10. If the story was better, would probably be a 8 out of 10 imo

@MOP1013 Жыл бұрын

It's not good to lie

@Americanbadashh 10 ай бұрын

It has very positive reviews on steam

@tjlazer6631 9 ай бұрын

@@Americanbadashh Because there is only 873 positive reviews, game didn't sold well

@TEXANGRINDHOUSE 8 ай бұрын

I've seen you on like three videos, you're absolutely pathetic

@sarajlija5237 4 ай бұрын

Wait till you find out about opinions

@lettuce6214 2 ай бұрын

i was scared by the mixed reviews but i’m so glad i gave it a chance, it clicked for me but i understand why other people don’t like it as much

@Max-st2mw 8 ай бұрын

thanks, the amount of pure hate on this game is depressing. I loved it so much❤

@zephyr6913 10 ай бұрын

Really happy to see someone else appreciating the game. Frustrating how loud the “parody” game’s community is, but also not surprising. Also the first time I’ve felt really connected to with the trans narrative (being trans and enby myself). I was really happy to get the Sage/Fang cutscene where they discuss their struggles. I really, really love this game despite the few bugs here and there. The music is so good and emotional.

@miakelly2193 10 ай бұрын

Thank you for making a positive review of this game. I haven’t played anything that touched me the way this game has in a long time. I can’t stand snootgame it makes me want to like, ugh. Thank you so much for covering this.

@jesterthefurrygod3330 16 күн бұрын

I hate this games ending…I don’t like watching furries die. It upsets me.

@alishegamer8490 Жыл бұрын

I will watch this video later, since i have to play the game for myself with my boyfriend (yes we're gay keep scrolling). But i'm already glad that there is positive coverage of this game (or at least i hope it's positive since i haven't saw the video).

@Vergil_sparda1987 4 ай бұрын

its an interesting game with colorful characters I just wish that the characters were more explored and they were all unique in a way I also wish that the astroid just did not exist like you cant just build up all these characters and then just kill them off at the end. the story is also just kinda........eh..........

@dizbrony3906 10 ай бұрын

Yes. Yes to all of this. I'm nonbinary and my brother is trans and our family is not particularly accepting so I connected with this game on a deeply personal level. The whole time I was hoping and hoping that somehow...but no, the world still ends. And even so, everyone is still okay. Content and happy surrounded by the people they love. There's a quote from Night in the Woods that perfectly encapsulates this story: "At the end of everything, hold on to anything."