《直到那時》（Until Then）是由菲律賓獨立團隊Polychroma Games開發、Maximum Entertainment發行的劇情冒險遊戲。於2024年6月25日首次在Steam、PlayStation 5和Linux平台上推出，並預定於2026年3月26日登上Nintendo Switch。以深刻的敘事手法與極具在地文化色彩的呈現方式，帶領玩家進入關於記憶、友情、失落與救贖的懸疑冒險。

舞台設定在一個名為「利亞姆森」（Liamson）的虛構城市中，靈感取材自菲律賓的都市風貌。世界正逐漸從一場名為「裁決（The Ruling）」的全球性災難中恢復，那場浩劫造成無數傷亡與心理創傷。主角馬克・博爾哈（Mark Borja）是一名普通高中生，父母長年在海外工作，他獨自生活、上學、與朋友相處，在這個表面恢復平靜的世界中過著看似平凡的生活。

馬克每天的生活都圍繞著熟悉的高中節奏展開——早晨起床、練習鋼琴、趕作業、與同學聊天、為人際關係煩惱。然而，這樣的平靜很快被一場「命運的相遇」打破。某天之後，周圍的人開始一個接一個地莫名消失，而馬克的記憶也開始變得模糊與不可靠。他所認識的人似乎不再是原來的樣子，現實與幻覺之間的界線逐漸模糊。於是，他與好友們展開一場與時間賽跑的冒險，試圖在一切無法挽回之前揭開真相。

採用2.5D橫向卷軸敘事結構，以像素風格結合現代3D光影效果，創造出一種介於懷舊與電影感之間的視覺體驗。場景光線、陰影與反射經過細緻處理，搭配手繪像素藝術，讓每個畫面都充滿生命力與情感張力。從首都的車水馬龍，到沿海小鎮的寧靜街景，每一幕都散發出濃厚的 菲律賓文化氣息與生活節奏。

在操作方面，玩家將扮演馬克，以橫向卷軸方式在場景中自由移動、觀察物件、觸發事件與對話。遊戲中有豐富的 互動式社交系統——可以使用手機查看訊息、電子郵件與社群貼文。選擇回覆內容、按讚或評論貼文，這些看似微小的舉動，往往會帶來意想不到的劇情變化。這種模擬現代青少年社交生活的互動方式，使遊戲更加真實，也強化敘事的沉浸感。

遊戲過程中還穿插多種迷你遊戲，增加生活感與趣味性。例如需要手動將USB插入電腦（方向還會插錯）、與朋友在街邊攤玩魚丸遊戲、參加卡拉OK唱歌挑戰、或在筆記本上繪製圖案。這些輕鬆的插曲不僅調節節奏，也加深角色之間的羈絆，讓玩家更貼近馬克的日常生活。

除互動與生活模擬，遊戲的核心是對 愛、友情、失落與成長的探討。馬克必須在困惑與恐懼中做出抉擇——他會為朋友挺身而出，還是讓恐懼主宰行動？他能否放下過去的創傷，迎向新的開始？每一個選擇都會影響角色的命運與故事的走向。

最大的亮點之一是其文化真實性與情感共鳴。開發團隊在場景設計、角色對話、背景音樂與日常物品細節中，注入濃厚的菲律賓地方風味，例如吉普尼公車、街頭攤販、社區教堂與校園生活。這些細節讓遊戲不僅是虛構的故事，更是一封寫給菲律賓年輕世代的文化情書。

在市場評價方面，推出後獲得媒體與玩家的高度讚譽。評論家稱讚它的劇情節奏細膩、角色塑造真實、音樂與視覺美術出色，被形容為「像素風格下的電影體驗」。許多玩家指出，遊戲不僅重現了青春的甜美與焦慮，也以細膩筆觸描繪記憶的脆弱與人際關係的無常。尤其是它對菲律賓文化的細膩呈現，被視為少數能在國際舞台上代表東南亞敘事風格的作品之一。

總結來說，《直到那時》是集敘事、互動與文化探索於一體的冒險傑作。用像素筆觸描繪現代青春的孤獨與希望，讓玩家在馬克的旅程中，不僅探索失落的記憶，也重新審視自己在時間與現實之間的位置。這是一場關於「人性」與「記憶」的美麗哀歌，讓人玩完後久久難忘的作品。

Until Then is a narrative-driven adventure game developed by the independent Philippine team Polychroma Games and published by Maximum Entertainment. The game was first released on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Linux on June 25, 2024, with a Nintendo Switch release scheduled for March 26, 2026. It immerses players in a suspenseful journey exploring memory, friendship, loss, and redemption, all presented with deep narrative and rich cultural authenticity.

The story takes place in the fictional city of Liamson, inspired by the urban landscapes of the Philippines. The world is slowly recovering from a global disaster known as "The Ruling," which caused widespread devastation and psychological trauma. Players take on the role of Mark Borja, a regular high school student whose parents work overseas. Living alone, attending school, and interacting with friends, Mark’s life initially seems ordinary in this seemingly restored world.

Mark’s daily routine revolves around typical high school life: waking up, practicing piano, completing homework, chatting with classmates, and navigating social dynamics. However, this calm is shattered by a fateful encounter, after which people around him start disappearing mysteriously and his own memories become unreliable. The lines between reality and illusion blur, forcing Mark and his friends to race against time to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Until Then is presented as a 2.5D side-scrolling narrative adventure, blending pixel art with modern 3D lighting and shadow effects to create a cinematic yet nostalgic visual experience. Environments—from bustling city streets to quiet coastal towns—are carefully crafted to convey the rhythm and culture of Filipino life. The combination of hand-drawn pixel art and realistic lighting creates a vivid world full of emotional depth.

Players control Mark as he explores environments, interacts with objects, and triggers events and conversations. A major gameplay feature is the interactive social system, where Mark can use his in-game smartphone to check messages, emails, and social media posts. Players can choose responses, like or comment on posts, and make decisions that subtly but significantly affect the unfolding story. This realistic simulation of modern teenage social life deepens immersion and enhances narrative engagement.

The game also includes a variety of mini-games that enrich the everyday life simulation. Players might insert a USB into a computer (sometimes incorrectly), play a street-side fish ball game with friends, participate in karaoke challenges, or draw patterns in a notebook. These playful interludes provide pacing variety while reinforcing character relationships and bringing Mark’s daily life to life.

Themes and Cultural Depth

At its core, Until Then explores love, friendship, loss, and personal growth. Mark faces morally complex decisions: will he step up to help a friend, or let fear dictate his actions? Can he move past personal trauma to embrace new beginnings? Each choice influences the fates of characters and the direction of the story, giving players meaningful agency in shaping the narrative.

One of the game’s standout qualities is its authentic cultural representation. The developers infused local Filipino elements throughout the game world, from jeepneys and street vendors to community churches and school life. Music, dialogue, and environmental details all reflect Philippine culture, making the game not just a fictional story but a heartfelt cultural expression.

Reception

Upon release, Until Then received widespread acclaim from both players and critics. Reviews highlighted its well-paced story, realistic character development, and striking visual and musical design, describing it as a “cinematic experience within a pixel art world.” Players praised how the game captures the bittersweet emotions of youth, the fragility of memory, and the complexities of human relationships. Its nuanced depiction of Philippine culture has also been recognized as one of the few Southeast Asian narrative games to achieve international attention.

In summary, Until Then is an adventure masterpiece that blends narrative depth, interactivity, and cultural exploration. Through its pixel art and cinematic design, it portrays the solitude, hope, and emotional turbulence of modern youth. Players follow Mark’s journey to uncover lost memories while reflecting on their own place between time and reality. It is a moving, unforgettable meditation on humanity and memory, leaving a lasting impression long after the game ends.