9 /10 25

What Remains of Edith Finch is not just a game; it is a seminal work in the interactive narrative genre that continues to set the gold standard in 2025. Developed by Giant Sparrow, this first-person exploration title moves beyond the pejorative “walking simulator” label by integrating unique gameplay mechanics into every single chapter of its anthology. Unlike its peers, which often rely solely on audio logs and reading notes, Edith Finch transforms the very act of playing into a storytelling device. Its critical reception has been universally glowing, often cited alongside literature for its handling of magical realism and fatalism. In this review, we explore how the current-gen enhancements on PS5 and Xbox Series X have breathed new life into the Finch estate, making the crumbling, impossible architecture of the house sharper and more immersive than ever before.

How to Play What Remains of Edith Finch

The game is an anthology of short stories, each played from the perspective of a different Finch family member on the day of their death. The core loop involves exploring the meticulously detailed Finch house and triggering these flashbacks.

1. Controls – The scheme is simple: dual analog sticks for movement and viewing, with a single interaction button (R2/RT). However, the game frequently changes how these inputs work—one moment you are controlling a kite, the next a shark rolling down a hill.
2. Progression – Progression is linear. You explore the house room by room, unlocking sealed doors by finding secret passages. There is no inventory management or puzzle-solving in the traditional sense; the house guides you forward.
3. Combat/Mechanics – There is no combat. The “mechanics” are narrative-driven metaphors. For example, in one sequence, you rhythmically chop fish at a cannery with one hand while navigating a fantasy daydream with the other, perfectly simulating the character’s dissociation.
4. Tips – Take your time examining the environment. The house is dense with environmental storytelling—books, clutter, and photos that provide crucial context to the family’s “curse” that isn’t explicitly spoken.

Who Should Play What Remains of Edith Finch

This experience is curated for those who value storytelling above twitch reflexes or complex systems. It is a short, focused journey that respects the player’s time.

• Player 1 – Fans of narrative-first games like Firewatch or Gone Home who want to see the genre pushed to its creative limit.
• Player 2 – Literature enthusiasts interested in magical realism and the Southern Gothic style, similar to the works of Gabriel García Márquez.
• Player 3 – Non-gamers. The simple controls and anthology format make it an incredible entry point for people who find traditional video games intimidating.
• Skip if – You require high-octane action, open-ended gameplay, or a campaign that lasts longer than 3-4 hours.

What Remains of Edith Finch Platform Performance

The 2022 next-gen update transformed the console experience, bringing it closer to the high-end PC standard. The visual fidelity of the house’s cluttered interiors benefits immensely from 4K resolution.

What Remains of Edith Finch System Requirements

Because the game was originally released in 2017, its requirements are very modest by modern standards, making it playable on almost any functional gaming PC or laptop from the last decade.

Similar Games to What Remains of Edith Finch

If the magical realism and narrative focus of Edith Finch resonate with you, the genre offers several other high-quality “walking sims” that explore mystery and emotion.

• Firewatch – Swaps the magical realism for a grounded mystery in the Wyoming wilderness; focuses on dialogue choices rather than varied gameplay vignettes.
• The Vanishing of Ethan Carter – Shares the “family mystery” theme but offers more open exploration and puzzle-solving mechanics using supernatural detective vision.
• Gone Home – The genre pioneer; a more intimate, grounded story about a sister returning home, focusing entirely on environmental exploration without the fantastical elements.
• Before Your Eyes – A spiritual successor in terms of emotional impact, using a unique blinking mechanic to control the flow of time and narrative.

What Remains of Edith Finch vs Competitors

Compared to its peers, Edith Finch commands a premium price for its runtime but offers arguably the highest density of unique assets and mechanics per minute.

What Remains of Edith Finch Story & World

The game is set in the eccentric, towering Finch estate off the coast of Washington state. You play as Edith, the last surviving member of her family, returning to the house to uncover the truth behind the “curse” that has killed every other family member in untimely, often bizarre ways. The house itself is a character—a labyrinth of sealed rooms, secret passages, and architectural impossibilities that reflect the family’s eccentric history. The tone balances precariously between whimsical childhood wonder and the crushing inevitability of death. It is not a horror game, but a tragedy told with the vocabulary of a fairy tale.

What Remains of Edith Finch Multiplayer & Online

There are no multiplayer or online components in What Remains of Edith Finch. It is a strictly solitary, single-player experience designed to be played in one or two sittings.

• Single Player Only – The game is a dedicated narrative experience with no leaderboards or social features.
• No Co-op – The story is personal and intimate, not designed for cooperative play.
• Offline Play – The game is fully playable offline without an internet connection.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable due to lack of multiplayer features.

What Remains of Edith Finch DLC & Expansions

Giant Sparrow has not released any paid DLC or expansions. The game is a complete package, and the story wraps up definitively without the need for post-launch additions.

• No DLC – The base game contains the entire story.
• Soundtrack – A separate purchase available on Steam, featuring the haunting score by Jeff Russo.
• Complete Edition – Not applicable; the standard version is the complete version.
• Updates – The 2022 “Next-Gen” update was free for existing owners on consoles.

What Remains of Edith Finch Community & Support

Despite being a single-player game, the community remains active in analyzing the dense lore and sharing theories about the ambiguous nature of the “curse.”

• Steam Community Hub – Active with fan art, screenshots, and lore discussions.
• Reddit (r/WhatRemainsOfEdithFinch) – A hub for deep-dive theories analyzing the environmental details.
• Speedrunning – A niche community exists for speedrunning the game, though it is largely autoscrolling.
• Updates – The game is considered “finished” with no active roadmap for future content updates.