Goodbye Volcano High Part 2. Unacceptance. (New Game Blind)
2Part Synopsis: While waiting at the bus stop, Fang has another chat with Trish. Two other friends: Sage and Stella approach. An interaction involving tarot cards takes place. Fang picks the judgment card, which Stella informs may indicate an important decision regarding a crossroads decision is imminent.
All three try to look at this as a possible positive impact. Taking the bus home, it's shown through self narration that Fang has a murky relationship with their mother. Naomi is here with Naser; the latter being revealed as Fang's brother. While discussing a yearbook design, Fang discloses how the band they're part of have an audition approaching. After being asked to perform, Fang obliges.
Playing the instrumental tune on a piano present here, it's completed without failing. Naser asks permission to send a video taken to their parents, which Fang agrees to. A group chat on the phone gets awkward when Rosa is added. Fang appears to have an awkward stance with Rosa for whatever reason. After introducing their presence, Fang disconnects; although that message doesn't send. Naomi leaves.
Naser makes basic food left for them in a microwave. Some experimenting with condiments is done to enhance the flavor. An in-depth conversation between Naser and Fang takes place. Naser insists their mother is trying to accept Fang regarding their identity, although they're not convinced. Naser also having shared the video, tells Fang their mother was very favorable to the song. Fang retreats to their room as a news story going over an asteroid plays out.
Playthrough Information: This is a blind let's play. I will be starting a New Game and finish it to completion. Spoken dialogue will be played normally. Unspoken dialogue I will say out loud on my own. This isn't a complete coverage playthrough. Featuring all achievements, any changes in story progression or any possible secrets aren't a focus here. It's meant to be done once and showcase my reactions to what's happening. All videos will have commentary and webcam usage. Gameplay shown on PS5.
About Game: Goodbye Volcano High is a narrative adventure game developed and published by Montreal-based video game studio KO_OP. The game was released on 29 August 2023, for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Windows.
Gameplay: The game features narrative segments, and rhythm minigames during performances by VVorm Drama.
Synopsis: Set in a world of anthropomorphic dinosaur characters, the game centers on the members of the band VVorm Drama; the non-binary lead vocalist Fang, guitarist Trish and drummer Reed, alongside the school's student council president Naomi and Fang's brother Naser, 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.
Development: The game was initially announced during Sony'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 COVID-19 pandemic, 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 Sony "State of Play" presentation on 23 February 2023, announcing a release date of 15 June but was delayed to 29 August.
Reception: Following the revamped game's showing at PAX East 2023, it was positively received by critics. Kyle LeClair of Hardcore Gamer praised the game, saying its rhythm game elements had the "perfect level of challenge", and that its music was "ear-pleasing". He called the character designs "striking", praising Fang as a "terrific and likeable protagonist" with "great voice acting", and predicting it would be a "deep and unique tale". Rachel Watts of Rock Paper Shotgun wrote that she "had a great time with the demo", comparing it to the adventure game Life Is Strange.
Awards: The game won the Tribeca Games Award at the 2023 Tribeca Festival, where it was featured as part of the "Games & Immersive Experience" selection.
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