While the setting and inspirations are Filipino through and through, the themes of friendship, love, loss, and acceptance in this visual novel are universal.
“Kung sakaling mapadaan baka ikaw ay aking tawagan, dahil minsan tayo ay naging tunay na magkaibigan” (“I might call you if ever I’m in the area, since there was a time when we were the best of friends”). The lyrics to “Minsan,” a song by legendary Pinoy band Eraserheads, kept playing in my head while I was reviewing Until Then. This visual novel from Polychroma Games presents a coming-of-age story, a tale of love and loss, friendships and fears, all sprinkled with life from my country: the Philippines. It’s enough to make me reminisce about my student years and sing the national anthem.
Until Then reviewDeveloper: Polychroma GamesPublisher: Maximum EntertainmentPlatform: Played on: PCAvailability: Out 25th of June on PC (Steam) and PlayStation 5
Until Then’s narrative tells of The Ruling, a catastrophe that has caused disasters worldwide. On top of that, there’s an unexplained phenomenon in which people suddenly disappear, while others confuse events from the future and events that have already happened.
It’s interesting stuff, but these supernatural elements would be all for nothing without a memorable cast of characters, starting with the protagonist Mark. He’s a 15-year-old bright-but-lazy slacker, just making his way through high school while his Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) parents are abroad. Right from the get-go, I felt a personal connection: I grew up in the province of Batangas, raised by my “ninang” (godmother) who eventually became an OFW in Saudi Arabia. Likewise, I’ve had my fair share of scholarships and suspensions over two decades ago when I was still a student. Just like Mark, I’d cram before exams, get sent to the principal’s or prefect’s office, and sleep during class hours (sometimes due to boredom and sometimes due to Red Horse beer).
Alongside his loyal classmates and friends, Cathy, Ridel, and Louise, Mark yearns for a spark, something to inspire him to continue with the humdrum rhythm of his daily routine. Then a mishap leads to a chance meeting with Nicole, a transfer student. It’s this encounter that slowly builds to a budding romance. Young love!