Imagine yourself, going about your daytime job as a fish canner, chopping off fish heads and throwing them onto a conveyor belt. Now imagine daydreaming to a vast land, which begins to take over your life and turn that alternate reality into reality. This was every day of young Lewis Finch. 
It started out as a mere “corner of the screen” visual, where he would imagine himself in a simple labyrinth, all black and white. The words on the screen were woven throughout in order to tell his story. As he progressed through this “minigame” adventure within his mind, the levels became more and more complex and took over the screen, as if reality and alternate reality were becoming one. This was happening all while still chopping the heads off of fish, which had to make you think “when is my hand coming off.” 
The last point of the “minigame” on screen was very complex as it became 3D and the mechanics of the game changed completely from the first level. It involved even more movement and looking around the screen to find where to go. Towards the end, it became Lewis’ complete reality, and he was engulfed in it. The game mechanics during this story were amazing and truly led the story. From the minigame in the corner getting more and more complex, to an alternate reality eventually taking over the screen entirely. This was able to convey what was happening within Lewis’ mind and made you, the player, experience what he would go through each day. It was his escape from his own reality, but it took a dark and unfortunate end.
Overall, the mechanics and story arch of this level were insane. It was an intriguing way of showing the character’s side and learning about the character’s mental state. This was all while Lewis’ psychologist was explaining what was talked about in her sessions. As the player, it led me to believe he may have had schizophrenia or even all of the characters for that matter. They all had their own escapes from reality, and visions of another world. Maybe the “curse” on the Finch family was really just a mental disorder being passed down to each member. I will let you decide that though. Happy playing!
Play What Remains of Edith Finch on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/501300/What_Remains_of_Edith_Finch/
Image Credits: What Remains of Edith Finch Title Screen:
“What Remains of Edith Finch – Annapurna Interactive.” Annapurna Pictures, annapurna.pictures/interactive/what-remains-of-edith-finch/.
Minigame Lewis Scene:
“What Remains of EDITH Finch: Download and Buy Today.” Epic Games Store, Annapurna Interactive, 25 Apr. 2017, www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/p/what-remains-of-edith-finch.
Fish Canner Scene Gif:
ago, Jason Almenas • 3 years. “It Can BE Horror: What Remains of Edith Finch.” Modern Horrors, 14 Aug. 2019, modernhorrors.com/it-can-be-horror-what-remains-of-edith-finch/.