@coffeebreakhero3743 finding paradise is my favorite entry from the series but teaching the "boring literature" absolutely has value. To name a few things, works of literature represent values and prevalent themes of specific periods in which they were written, and are affected by so many factors that they essentially become a window to how life was in these periods. They familiarize students with specific character and story archetypes and the structure of specific types of literature, teach students to seek out themes and foster media literacy. Not to mention that certain books/works of literature are so influential that they're still widely referenced today, it's important to know these works to recognize when someone is drawing inspiration from them. I think there is value in introducing other, newer forms of art into schools (such as video games) and discussing them, but that doesn't mean literature should be removed.
@@emiyuu5112 you made good points about the virtue of studying older literature, and while I concede that there is great value to be found in studying further points of view (geographically and chronologically) I did not feel particularly enriched by the vast majority of mandatory literature I had to study in school, and I feel that the lessons of finding paradise may be of great value to this generation, both in content, and in form (to make them aware that they can play games other than fortnite)
A good excuse to Mary Poppins in and out of someone else's life selfishly having no initial or subsequent plan on remaining in their lives at all. Taker territory. And I'm sure they were being hyperbolic. It teaches loss, grief and compassion in a way even classical literature cannot without deep diving. It shows instead of tells in other words.
Bro changed thousands of lives and doesn't even consider himself a decent writer... This series makes me feel things nothing else can. I was 10 or 11 when I first found out about To the Moon a decade or so ago, and it immediately had a huge impact on my life. I remember routinely checking the website for news about Finding Paradise up to its release (unfortunately I made the blunder of letting A Bird Story slip right past me, which I greatly regretted once I finally played it and loved every single second of it) and I've kept the habit of staying up to date on every installment since then. It's one of very few series I've managed to stay consistently in love with over the years and it has been a spark of joy no matter how dark everything else got. The Beachsode was incredibly painful for all the reasons I expected going in, but it was wonderfully written, and I was bawling my eyes out by the end (which I also expected, of course). While every work has felt distinctively different from one another, I think the garden metaphor is perfect. Every part works together and we need all of them to get the full picture. While it's very sad to see it go, it somehow doesn't feel wrong. I will probably keep playing the games over and over until the day I die, knowing that nothing can ever fully match the emotional journey I go through every time. At the very least I know that there is no one I trust more to handle goodbye after the ones you've given us so far
Maybe unrelated, but some highly sensitive people's (HSP's) tend to treat others as they would like to be treated so take an almost counsellors / psychologist tone of voice when speaking generally. Could be just down to what speed you live life at. Imagine a New Yorker and Kan meeting XD
To me the Beach episode feels like a love letter to everyone who followed the series so far. A lot of it is obvious fan service and as biased as I am I wouldn't have it any other way. But then again I do believe that it fits with the rest of the series as another game about grief and how such technology can affect us and our relationships with those we hold dear. The only thing that's missing from the series to me is another episode about our beloved doctors dealing with an interesting case. And probably another Sigmund minisode because for some reason I absolutely love to replay the holiday minisodes. They were my own piece of fan-service while waiting for FP.
I literally broke out in tears when I heard For River again in the lobby. Very true. Imposter Factory did feel sort of "off" at the start, mostly 'cos I was so used to how To The Moon and Finding Paradise starts. Towards the middle and end though, I felt it did end up being a great Freebird game. This beach episode has once again been absolutely brilliant. Surfing mini-game for the win~! Roxie, best character.
I'm definitely part of the crowd that was initially disappointed by Impostor Factory as a series finale and found the Beach Episode to patch up a lot of spots that I thought were wanting there, but the format you chose has definitely helped me retroactively appreciate IF even more. It wasn't supposed to be a series finale, that was just a bit unclear when it came out, and the position it has in the series makes way more sense now. That said: even if Beach Episode isn't SUPPOSED to be the ending for the whole story, it'd be a great one. What a beautiful, beautiful ending. The final button press had me swearing at my screen - your writing is beautiful, and your understanding of grief, longing, and what those sorts of things can really feel like is what sets it apart. The last exchange on the beach was incredible. I loved it. Keep doing what you do. Thank you.
Love to have some of the Quintessence cast out there in the Beachsode - ends up being a nice Easter Egg! The feeling of having your og characters out there interacting with so many people is perfectly wholesome. Thanks for helping make such a great series, absolutely love what has been built so far. ...you DO know that, now that you specifically told us not to do it, the entire community is going to play Quintessence and talk a whole lot about it, right? :)
"...you DO know that, now that you specifically told us not to do it, the entire community is going to play Quintessence and talk a whole lot about it, right? :)" I hope that actually happens, lol. Quintessence is such an underrated gem.
I'd fucking love to play Quintessence, but the link in the Freebird website is gone. I can't find a place to actually get the game that isn't a sus link
First off the beach episode is incredible and the fact that it isn't a standalone title in my opinion shouldn't be thrown as a critique. All styles of storytelling are valid it's what you do with it makes it good or bad, just because you pick a certain style doesn't mean its completely bad or good and now that I did get the ending you were correct this was absolutely necessary after all, this is an ending for almost a decade long setup albeit most of the setup happened in impostor factory. I'm extremely excited for the "last" ttm game and hope that you will continue creating games and telling stories as you are easily one of the most consistent developers/writers out there.
This game was beautiful. I love how it was a tribute to the series and a legitimate entry at the same time, and it was nice to see all the overarching plot points finally converge
getting to the end of the beach episode, one of the main things going through my head was “kan, you monster!!”, but seriously, to make people care that much about fictional characters is amazing and few can do it as well as you. i’m so excited for the last hour and for any possible future games you decide to make :))
Finally got around to playing Beach Episode because I knew it would somehow hurt.. It still did. I loved it, loved seeing all the work that was put into it and how far the series has come since the first game... But Jesus Christ, man, did you have to play with my feelings again like that? The game's main message was deep, and hurt quite a lot because I know I would do something like that in such a situation. To this day, I've never come across anything that makes me feel as much as the To The Moon series, aside from maybe Rakuen that I only discovered thanks to To The Moon since Laura helped with the OST. I know that, whatever you have planned for the future, it'll be awesome.
I love the justification for adding lunair and the others just being "I missed them". That's a totally valid reason! We welcome their inclusion! Thanks for the peak into your brain, Kan. Looking forward to the last hour
Beach episode definitely has "it was nice while it lasted" vibe in it. To the moon universe was always filled with great pivots, both within and between the episodes. It is no surprise to be frustrated with the ending, for it feels like turning around a corner to see a single cactus standing beside the garden's exit. I, too, expected a bit more of to the moon garden to be explored. But I would rather see this as another Kan's pivots, filling choas in our mind, and just giving us nice beach side ends. Thanks Kan, for such great stories I enjoyed during last decade.
Just like your fireworks display analogy: Don't hyperfocus on the negative comments. The beach episode broke my soul in half. I don't remember the last time a piece of media, or a piece of art, made me feel this way. The game isn't "missing" something.... That's just the feeling of emptiness that it emotionally conveys to the player in the end, in my opinion (I'm trying to avoid saying spoilers). You're left wanting more, feeling slightly "unsatisfied" in the sense that an emotional itch did not get scratched. But that's the perfect expression of what is happening in the plot. I hope my words make sense 😅
I'm still sad that we never got a conclusion to Quintessence. I remember reading about To the Moon for the first time and I was actually mad, because this stupid game about fulfilling some wish was going to take precedence over finishing the epic story of Quintessence :D Little did I know.
To think someone that's made such emotional, deeply human stories also has such a soft spoken voice and reflective personality is just a blessing on a blessing. Love you, sir.
It absolutely DESTROYED me So many little details and dialogue exchanges just tore me apart Been a very fun, yet emotional ride so far and have truly grown up with it. First played when I was 11 and now I'm 24 Just wanted to say thank you from the deepest parts of my heart. Thank you so, so much
Coming across this franchise all those years ago was simply a life changing experience. It's really hard to say goodbye to something that had such a huge impact on your life. Couldn't be more grateful for all you and the entire freebird studio had done for us.
Can we not let the series end? I feel like this concept plus the unique humor of Neil & the airheadedness of Roxanne have so much more potential than so far excavated. I guess I'm just not ready to have the story end like this. I've played over a hundred games since I was a kid, and this series is my #1 favorite, and freebird is the only studio I follow on Steam.
You guys really did wonderfully with this episode. Just got done playing for the first time and I really couldn't have asked for a better addition to the series. The music hit, the atmosphere hit, the sound effects hit, you could tell the production got an upgrade, and overall your skills just felt like they matured. Thank you for an amazing experience again, Kan. Well done to you and the Freebird Games team!
Loved it! I've been a huge fan of the other games since the initial release of To The Moon and this was a beautiful "epilogue" kind of episode. As an old guy who was also there for the release of Quintessence, it was quite a surprise to see those characters and music themes show up! Here's me sending a prayer into the ether for the final chapters to be released one day, even if not as a commercial product and rather you completing an important part of your legacy 🙂And please, please don't feel embarrassed about it. Quintessence and another story heavy RPG from that time, The Way, set me on my creative path and showed me that we're not limited by budget to bring something excellent and creative to life.
for someone who is unfamiliar with quintessance, i still didn't see it as confusing or holding the game back i sort of found the detail to be another hint as to how this beach vacation we are playing in is a total fabrication - along with our past patients, faye, neils parents, etc. - so i thought it was interesting and it didnt mess up the trajectory of eva's pov and story. your personal creative direction is completely understandable, those soft spots are natural and i love how this game turned out. cant wait for the last hour !
been a huge ttm fan for the past 10 years. the ending was beautiful, I cried, I've gotten to love Neil and Eva so long, truly the core of the series for me, I love them so much. thank you for everything Kan. I can't capture in words just how much this series means to me
It's really cool that you do these videos explaining your thoughts and reactions to feedback. I loved the Beach Episode, though I don't have a problem judging it on its own merits rather than those of a full-fat sequel - I would say it both met my expectations and surprised me. The ability to pursue the attractions in any order helps alleviate the slight hallway feeling Impostor Factory had to it, and it was clear going in that we would finally learn about Neil's machine. One thing I was expecting to be more of a topic of focus is the "realness" of the "impostors", but that might be because this game is primarily from Eva's perspective. The Last Hour seems like it could be from Neil's perspective primarily(wishful thinking?), so I wonder if things will be presented differently there... looking forward to eventually playing it, and seeing the movie! Thank you for all the work you've put into these games!
It's a brilliant game. I loved it, and played the entirety live. Although there's 'fluff,' the game also is genuinely a beach episode with all the characters we know and love. I enjoyed it, it's fun. I really loved the music! Thank you sir.
I played Beach Episode yesterday, and I want to thank you. Every game in the series has made me weep. It's the best emotional storytelling I've ever experienced, and To the Moon in particular is my favorite experience of my entire streaming career. So thank you, Kan Gao. Thank you for making these games. Thank you for making me cry. Thank you for the incredible art you've put out into the world. I don't know if you'll read this, but I needed to say it. I'm eagerly awaiting Last Hour. I'm looking forward to one last cry.
Thanks for your stories and to the moon universe Kan, it's helping in theses difficult times, that's really a good story/world your write. Hope a futur another épisode. 👍
Kan, I played what was out of Quintessence something like twelve years ago (right after playing TtM), so you better believe I was yelling at the computer when those cameos started happening 🔥 I enjoyed Beach Episode and I'm looking forward to Last Hour. Cheers, man! 😎
Thank you for having orchestrated such a heartfelt series, and for this heartfelt dialogue, in a world of rapid cuts and put-on over the top exclamations, this stands out heads and shoulders as an authentic creator's authentic expressions. There will always be people who come with expectations that don't match your reality, and that's just too bad. I've received what you've put down, and it is incredibly beautiful to me, and I'm so glad to have rediscovered the rest of the series so many years after the original To The Moon. Love your work, I'm already missing the series, knowing that the last hour will be the actual end of it. But we've all learned that we need to move on with grace knowing endings are what allowed great beginnings to be possible.
Thank You, Sir! Been with the series since 2014 and you giving your heart into it, absolutely inspires and moves me. I was blown away with each of the stories, relate to it like hell.... could go on and on. That ending of the Beach Episode broke me... I appreciate it, but it really punched me in the gut. Still recovering ;) Can't wait for the last one. I will wait and trust you to complete your concept. Greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!
I don't really know where you're seeing all this criticism but let me just say: To me you are one of the best writer / directors in the gaming space. Replaying the series for the beach episode only manifested that for me. Just keep doing what you're doing, it's phenomenal. Your character writing and world-building are incredible. Have faith in yourself and whatever it will be that you folks at freebird create next... we're gonna be here, that's for sure!
Kan Gao, know that you are the best! Of course, people are different and can say all sorts of things. But your games and the stories in them are a masterpiece! I am from Kazakhstan, and it is difficult for me to complete the game in English, while I am waiting for the translation into Russian. But based on previous games, I can confidently say that you are very cool. I know quite a few people who have been moved to tears by your games, including me. Good luck, brother!
Thank you for making the Beach Episode and satisfyingly tying up the series with it. I will admit, I had been losing a lot of faith in you and your company, and, in fact, wasn't going to get this originally. Thankfully, a generous friend of mine bought this for me and urged me to try it. It singlehandedly reinvigorated my faith in you and your work again, and now I eagerly wait whatever you will make next. Thank you once again for all of your efforts over the years, and good luck with your future endeavors!
Absolutely agree about IF being the shell of the ending, the beginning of it. Personally, I loved it, but I did think it was missing something. Beachsode was able to fill up that spot neatly. I can see where the criticism about the fanservice content comes from, but I think it was a good idea to do that. To give that one last look back on what the team had accomplished, to be able to finally conclude it all and move on. The game was great, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else you guys have in stock. ❤ P.S. "Don't look for Quintessence, don't play it." Oh, I'm gonna, alright. I didn't know who Lunair was, and yet Beachsode managed to make me interested in her right off the bat. As Beachsode was able to fill that missing element IF possessed, I, too, wish to fill that lack in knowledge I didn't touch upon all those years (for which I deeply apologise). Also, don't worry, from what I've seen, people love Quintessence.
Thank you for unforgetable moments your games have brought into my life. They mean a lot to me. I have never cried so much before pressing a single button, like I did during the ending. Thank you ❤
I am now very curious to see what new stories not connected to a recognized franchise the studio could release. I am sure that talented people can gift us something refreshing and even more memorable.
U know what i m from India i love sir of my most involved emotional complex and yet simple to play game to the moon series so close to my life core times left a permanent mark in my dna like naruto to my life …
I got the game sitting in my library right now o/ waiting for the weekend to enjoy it... right after I go through a roller coaster of emotions REPLAYING the entire series again just to crash into the beach... I hope it is a sandy beach and not a rocky one ='3
@Kan not thinking it's good enough is a part of the creative process that makes great art. as long as it doesn't paralyze you and you keep going... and as someone with background in neuroscience I can certainly tell you that sadness and thinking things are bad is a part of the mechanism of contemplation. the other side of it, is when you don't make mistakes (or perceive actions to go as planned), and enter the state of flow (more commonly seen in confident sportsmen than artists)
Hi Kan, just finished it today, a very nice experience albeit a bit too short though - can't think of any other complaint, I would've played more of it, like another full day! Also, since it's not that long, inevitably the "plot-twist" moment kinda happens too quickly, I mean any fan can already imagine what lurks beneath this vacation, but I would've better rationed the surprise elements, only showing them off towards the second half or something. Still, a satisfying game and an ideal conclusion of a series we loved and cared throughout the years, thank you for the ride.
Working theory: Lunair is a imaginary character from ancient game Neil used to play in his childhood, which did stuck in his memories, and Faye created a virtual person out of it, so she won't be so lonely in her digital confinement
I personally think that you are a great writer. I get how you feel that you aren't either but what i can tell you for certain is that you have a wonderful mind. I also love when I can feel the authors intervention in a story like what you did with the inclusion of Lunair. "Because I want to" is such a valid reasoning in my opinion. I want to experience a story the author wants to write more than anything so thank you for staying true to yourself.
For me, the missing feeling from Imposter Factory was Eva and Dr. Watts' exchanges. That was missing for a GOOD chunk of the game, but it was needed. Beach episode was missing something because it was right in front of our face from the very title screen (And even I missed some hints in the pics...) and not very subtle with the books you get to choose either. At this point its a mystery of spoiler alert who died, which of the two doctors died.Odds are it was who it ended up being which I figured was the one to die and this whole time that knowledge, is what caused the missing feeling. I cried my eyes out and thats a good thing, but, I admit, I do not want either doctor to die, much less never truly get together. If you meant what you said that Beach and Last Hour are good/bad endings then imo, Beach was the bad ending, however, in the credits you said the story will continue in Last hour... you're planning something here and not its not a literal theres only two endings type deal and given how the machine works, or any new plot points you thought of, I can see you pulling that off. Regardless of if the two are connected (which they are by your garden statement) or not, I just want to say thank you again. This series is awesome and never disappoints. Give yourself a bit more credit though, you've wrote truly wonderful characters and I'm looking forward to that remake of Quintessence that you hinted about. That said, I prolly will go look the game up if I don't hear an announcement for it in the nearish future since I'm only assuming its a remake. Again, thank you! P.s. I'm really hoping in the end in some form (E.g. after life) that the two OG doctors themselves can wind up together, they deserve to be together and happy.
Windah Basudara, he is a biggest gaming streamer in Indonesia with 14.000.000 subscriber, and that guy has rated for game To The Moon 10/10 Finding Paradise 10/10 very deserve
"a garden" Similar to Miyamoto's 'Miniature Garden'. What do you mean though? A nice place to look at? A (small) place of things that 'fit' together? A place that you can show? Or something else (as well)?
I know there is supposed to be the RPG game after this, but was this the last game as far as the story goes? I mean will the RPG game continue the story? or will it be a side thing, and this was the finale of the series?
Since the moment of 6:15 Kan says that the RPG game is connected to the series (he uses the analogy of Impostor Factory being the outer shell of the ending, The Beach Episode being the inner crust, and the RPG would be something of "a core", inside that).
@@lilrockstar8170 I've seen it in the part of the beach where the kickstarters got to put a message in a bottle, not in the writing of the actual story. Pretty sure that's what the original poster is referring to.
Well, here to a promise, to an expectation that, it will all work out in the end. (I guess Beach Episode don't sit well with me much, for the nonce). I guess it is really the end huh. I figure it is too soon to ask if you have any other future plans, unrelated to the Sigmund Corp. series?
@@iamporkychops I agree. That escape button was one of the most deviant things put in a video game. No joke, I sat there for 5 minutes refusing to press the button, not wanting to let the fantasy go. Masterful gambit, Mr. Gao.
I think you should try the fantasy genre again, like you did in Quintessence, but not as an RPG this time. A 4-5 hour playtime is ideal for an RPG Maker game.
I mean... It cost like 12€... But it's value it's way higher... You don't Need a Long game to have a good game. Videogame is interaction. And the last scene you see in Beach episode is the best interaction in videogame I ever see. I would like to ask how tò leave a message on the Memory Beach if someone know can you please tell me?
"And while some things are meant to stay... Some are only meant to carry you so far." - Faye
finding paradise was such a masterpiece we should teach it as mandatory education to youth instead of the boring literature we're giving them
@coffeebreakhero3743 finding paradise is my favorite entry from the series but teaching the "boring literature" absolutely has value. To name a few things, works of literature represent values and prevalent themes of specific periods in which they were written, and are affected by so many factors that they essentially become a window to how life was in these periods. They familiarize students with specific character and story archetypes and the structure of specific types of literature, teach students to seek out themes and foster media literacy. Not to mention that certain books/works of literature are so influential that they're still widely referenced today, it's important to know these works to recognize when someone is drawing inspiration from them. I think there is value in introducing other, newer forms of art into schools (such as video games) and discussing them, but that doesn't mean literature should be removed.
@@emiyuu5112 you made good points about the virtue of studying older literature, and while I concede that there is great value to be found in studying further points of view (geographically and chronologically) I did not feel particularly enriched by the vast majority of mandatory literature I had to study in school, and I feel that the lessons of finding paradise may be of great value to this generation, both in content, and in form (to make them aware that they can play games other than fortnite)
A good excuse to Mary Poppins in and out of someone else's life selfishly having no initial or subsequent plan on remaining in their lives at all. Taker territory.
And I'm sure they were being hyperbolic. It teaches loss, grief and compassion in a way even classical literature cannot without deep diving. It shows instead of tells in other words.
Bro changed thousands of lives and doesn't even consider himself a decent writer... This series makes me feel things nothing else can.
I was 10 or 11 when I first found out about To the Moon a decade or so ago, and it immediately had a huge impact on my life. I remember routinely checking the website for news about Finding Paradise up to its release (unfortunately I made the blunder of letting A Bird Story slip right past me, which I greatly regretted once I finally played it and loved every single second of it) and I've kept the habit of staying up to date on every installment since then. It's one of very few series I've managed to stay consistently in love with over the years and it has been a spark of joy no matter how dark everything else got. The Beachsode was incredibly painful for all the reasons I expected going in, but it was wonderfully written, and I was bawling my eyes out by the end (which I also expected, of course). While every work has felt distinctively different from one another, I think the garden metaphor is perfect. Every part works together and we need all of them to get the full picture. While it's very sad to see it go, it somehow doesn't feel wrong. I will probably keep playing the games over and over until the day I die, knowing that nothing can ever fully match the emotional journey I go through every time. At the very least I know that there is no one I trust more to handle goodbye after the ones you've given us so far
How does this man have the most calming voice in the universe?
Maybe unrelated, but some highly sensitive people's (HSP's) tend to treat others as they would like to be treated so take an almost counsellors / psychologist tone of voice when speaking generally.
Could be just down to what speed you live life at. Imagine a New Yorker and Kan meeting XD
I have followed this series for years. Proud of this series and glad to have experienced it. Laughter and tears and all. Thank you. It was beautiful.
To me the Beach episode feels like a love letter to everyone who followed the series so far. A lot of it is obvious fan service and as biased as I am I wouldn't have it any other way. But then again I do believe that it fits with the rest of the series as another game about grief and how such technology can affect us and our relationships with those we hold dear.
The only thing that's missing from the series to me is another episode about our beloved doctors dealing with an interesting case. And probably another Sigmund minisode because for some reason I absolutely love to replay the holiday minisodes. They were my own piece of fan-service while waiting for FP.
The ending hit me hard, I cried a lot, but it is definitely the best game franchise of my life...
It really is special huh. .
I literally broke out in tears when I heard For River again in the lobby.
Very true. Imposter Factory did feel sort of "off" at the start, mostly 'cos I was so used to how To The Moon and Finding Paradise starts.
Towards the middle and end though, I felt it did end up being a great Freebird game. This beach episode has once again been absolutely brilliant.
Surfing mini-game for the win~!
Roxie, best character.
I'm definitely part of the crowd that was initially disappointed by Impostor Factory as a series finale and found the Beach Episode to patch up a lot of spots that I thought were wanting there, but the format you chose has definitely helped me retroactively appreciate IF even more. It wasn't supposed to be a series finale, that was just a bit unclear when it came out, and the position it has in the series makes way more sense now. That said: even if Beach Episode isn't SUPPOSED to be the ending for the whole story, it'd be a great one. What a beautiful, beautiful ending. The final button press had me swearing at my screen - your writing is beautiful, and your understanding of grief, longing, and what those sorts of things can really feel like is what sets it apart. The last exchange on the beach was incredible. I loved it. Keep doing what you do. Thank you.
Love to have some of the Quintessence cast out there in the Beachsode - ends up being a nice Easter Egg! The feeling of having your og characters out there interacting with so many people is perfectly wholesome.
Thanks for helping make such a great series, absolutely love what has been built so far.
...you DO know that, now that you specifically told us not to do it, the entire community is going to play Quintessence and talk a whole lot about it, right? :)
I miss Quintessence so much
"...you DO know that, now that you specifically told us not to do it, the entire community is going to play Quintessence and talk a whole lot about it, right? :)"
I hope that actually happens, lol. Quintessence is such an underrated gem.
I'd fucking love to play Quintessence, but the link in the Freebird website is gone. I can't find a place to actually get the game that isn't a sus link
First off the beach episode is incredible and the fact that it isn't a standalone title in my opinion shouldn't be thrown as a critique. All styles of storytelling are valid it's what you do with it makes it good or bad, just because you pick a certain style doesn't mean its completely bad or good and now that I did get the ending you were correct this was absolutely necessary after all, this is an ending for almost a decade long setup albeit most of the setup happened in impostor factory. I'm extremely excited for the "last" ttm game and hope that you will continue creating games and telling stories as you are easily one of the most consistent developers/writers out there.
Yes I’m here forever
This game was beautiful. I love how it was a tribute to the series and a legitimate entry at the same time, and it was nice to see all the overarching plot points finally converge
getting to the end of the beach episode, one of the main things going through my head was “kan, you monster!!”, but seriously, to make people care that much about fictional characters is amazing and few can do it as well as you. i’m so excited for the last hour and for any possible future games you decide to make :))
Finally got around to playing Beach Episode because I knew it would somehow hurt.. It still did. I loved it, loved seeing all the work that was put into it and how far the series has come since the first game... But Jesus Christ, man, did you have to play with my feelings again like that? The game's main message was deep, and hurt quite a lot because I know I would do something like that in such a situation. To this day, I've never come across anything that makes me feel as much as the To The Moon series, aside from maybe Rakuen that I only discovered thanks to To The Moon since Laura helped with the OST. I know that, whatever you have planned for the future, it'll be awesome.
I NEVER WANT THE SERIES TO END!!!!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!
I love the justification for adding lunair and the others just being "I missed them". That's a totally valid reason! We welcome their inclusion!
Thanks for the peak into your brain, Kan. Looking forward to the last hour
The man who made me cry the most
Basically, beach episode is Evangelion 25-26, Last Hour is End of Evangelion :p
Beach episode definitely has "it was nice while it lasted" vibe in it.
To the moon universe was always filled with great pivots, both within and between the episodes. It is no surprise to be frustrated with the ending, for it feels like turning around a corner to see a single cactus standing beside the garden's exit. I, too, expected a bit more of to the moon garden to be explored. But I would rather see this as another Kan's pivots, filling choas in our mind, and just giving us nice beach side ends.
Thanks Kan, for such great stories I enjoyed during last decade.
Just like your fireworks display analogy: Don't hyperfocus on the negative comments. The beach episode broke my soul in half. I don't remember the last time a piece of media, or a piece of art, made me feel this way. The game isn't "missing" something.... That's just the feeling of emptiness that it emotionally conveys to the player in the end, in my opinion (I'm trying to avoid saying spoilers). You're left wanting more, feeling slightly "unsatisfied" in the sense that an emotional itch did not get scratched. But that's the perfect expression of what is happening in the plot. I hope my words make sense 😅
I'm still sad that we never got a conclusion to Quintessence. I remember reading about To the Moon for the first time and I was actually mad, because this stupid game about fulfilling some wish was going to take precedence over finishing the epic story of Quintessence :D Little did I know.
To think someone that's made such emotional, deeply human stories also has such a soft spoken voice and reflective personality is just a blessing on a blessing. Love you, sir.
It absolutely DESTROYED me
So many little details and dialogue exchanges just tore me apart
Been a very fun, yet emotional ride so far and have truly grown up with it. First played when I was 11 and now I'm 24
Just wanted to say thank you from the deepest parts of my heart. Thank you so, so much
Coming across this franchise all those years ago was simply a life changing experience. It's really hard to say goodbye to something that had such a huge impact on your life. Couldn't be more grateful for all you and the entire freebird studio had done for us.
Can we not let the series end? I feel like this concept plus the unique humor of Neil & the airheadedness of Roxanne have so much more potential than so far excavated. I guess I'm just not ready to have the story end like this.
I've played over a hundred games since I was a kid, and this series is my #1 favorite, and freebird is the only studio I follow on Steam.
I haven't stopped crying. Thank you for that.
You guys really did wonderfully with this episode. Just got done playing for the first time and I really couldn't have asked for a better addition to the series.
The music hit, the atmosphere hit, the sound effects hit, you could tell the production got an upgrade, and overall your skills just felt like they matured.
Thank you for an amazing experience again, Kan. Well done to you and the Freebird Games team!
Nothing can make me not love Kan Gao
Loved it! I've been a huge fan of the other games since the initial release of To The Moon and this was a beautiful "epilogue" kind of episode. As an old guy who was also there for the release of Quintessence, it was quite a surprise to see those characters and music themes show up! Here's me sending a prayer into the ether for the final chapters to be released one day, even if not as a commercial product and rather you completing an important part of your legacy 🙂And please, please don't feel embarrassed about it. Quintessence and another story heavy RPG from that time, The Way, set me on my creative path and showed me that we're not limited by budget to bring something excellent and creative to life.
I love you man, im lucky to be alive on the same century as to the moon series
for someone who is unfamiliar with quintessance, i still didn't see it as confusing or holding the game back
i sort of found the detail to be another hint as to how this beach vacation we are playing in is a total fabrication - along with our past patients, faye, neils parents, etc. - so i thought it was interesting and it didnt mess up the trajectory of eva's pov and story.
your personal creative direction is completely understandable, those soft spots are natural and i love how this game turned out. cant wait for the last hour !
been a huge ttm fan for the past 10 years. the ending was beautiful, I cried, I've gotten to love Neil and Eva so long, truly the core of the series for me, I love them so much. thank you for everything Kan. I can't capture in words just how much this series means to me
It's really cool that you do these videos explaining your thoughts and reactions to feedback. I loved the Beach Episode, though I don't have a problem judging it on its own merits rather than those of a full-fat sequel - I would say it both met my expectations and surprised me. The ability to pursue the attractions in any order helps alleviate the slight hallway feeling Impostor Factory had to it, and it was clear going in that we would finally learn about Neil's machine. One thing I was expecting to be more of a topic of focus is the "realness" of the "impostors", but that might be because this game is primarily from Eva's perspective. The Last Hour seems like it could be from Neil's perspective primarily(wishful thinking?), so I wonder if things will be presented differently there... looking forward to eventually playing it, and seeing the movie! Thank you for all the work you've put into these games!
It's a brilliant game. I loved it, and played the entirety live.
Although there's 'fluff,' the game also is genuinely a beach episode with all the characters we know and love. I enjoyed it, it's fun.
I really loved the music!
Thank you sir.
I played Beach Episode yesterday, and I want to thank you. Every game in the series has made me weep. It's the best emotional storytelling I've ever experienced, and To the Moon in particular is my favorite experience of my entire streaming career.
So thank you, Kan Gao. Thank you for making these games. Thank you for making me cry. Thank you for the incredible art you've put out into the world. I don't know if you'll read this, but I needed to say it.
I'm eagerly awaiting Last Hour. I'm looking forward to one last cry.
AYY great to see you here
Thanks for your stories and to the moon universe Kan, it's helping in theses difficult times, that's really a good story/world your write. Hope a futur another épisode. 👍
A beach episode pacing is great. The writing is so witty that that the sad moment hits even harder.
Maybe the real beach was the episode we made all along!
its nice how in game kan in the beach episode got to meet his friends in quintessence
Kan, I played what was out of Quintessence something like twelve years ago (right after playing TtM), so you better believe I was yelling at the computer when those cameos started happening 🔥 I enjoyed Beach Episode and I'm looking forward to Last Hour. Cheers, man! 😎
Hope you and the team are doing well, Kan.
Thank you for the series!
Can we really wait for Quintessence remake/ proper ending? Omg I was waiting all this years for it, I really hope we have a chance~
If you tell people not to look up that game, they definitely will want to even more lol
Now that he specifically told us not to do it, someone's got to make a let's play series, even if that person is me
The best game series ever i really thank for knowing this... im going to miss every character i hope you still do something with them.
Thank you for having orchestrated such a heartfelt series, and for this heartfelt dialogue, in a world of rapid cuts and put-on over the top exclamations, this stands out heads and shoulders as an authentic creator's authentic expressions.
There will always be people who come with expectations that don't match your reality, and that's just too bad. I've received what you've put down, and it is incredibly beautiful to me, and I'm so glad to have rediscovered the rest of the series so many years after the original To The Moon. Love your work, I'm already missing the series, knowing that the last hour will be the actual end of it. But we've all learned that we need to move on with grace knowing endings are what allowed great beginnings to be possible.
i've been such a huge fan since To The Moon, your storytelling is incredible
Thank You, Sir! Been with the series since 2014 and you giving your heart into it, absolutely inspires and moves me. I was blown away with each of the stories, relate to it like hell.... could go on and on.
That ending of the Beach Episode broke me... I appreciate it, but it really punched me in the gut. Still recovering ;)
Can't wait for the last one. I will wait and trust you to complete your concept. Greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU!
Amazing surprise!
Thank you
I bought it after seeing news.
Never stop please 🎉🎉🎉
This is a wonderful addition to the series, thank you for this wonderful gift from you and the fantastic Freebird team!
I don't really know where you're seeing all this criticism but let me just say: To me you are one of the best writer / directors in the gaming space. Replaying the series for the beach episode only manifested that for me. Just keep doing what you're doing, it's phenomenal. Your character writing and world-building are incredible. Have faith in yourself and whatever it will be that you folks at freebird create next... we're gonna be here, that's for sure!
Kan Gao, know that you are the best!
Of course, people are different and can say all sorts of things. But your games and the stories in them are a masterpiece! I am from Kazakhstan, and it is difficult for me to complete the game in English, while I am waiting for the translation into Russian. But based on previous games, I can confidently say that you are very cool. I know quite a few people who have been moved to tears by your games, including me. Good luck, brother!
Thank you for making the Beach Episode and satisfyingly tying up the series with it. I will admit, I had been losing a lot of faith in you and your company, and, in fact, wasn't going to get this originally. Thankfully, a generous friend of mine bought this for me and urged me to try it. It singlehandedly reinvigorated my faith in you and your work again, and now I eagerly wait whatever you will make next. Thank you once again for all of your efforts over the years, and good luck with your future endeavors!
i've been enjoying to the moon series since i was 10 and now i'm 17 XD it's really gratifying, tysm kan
Absolutely agree about IF being the shell of the ending, the beginning of it. Personally, I loved it, but I did think it was missing something. Beachsode was able to fill up that spot neatly.
I can see where the criticism about the fanservice content comes from, but I think it was a good idea to do that. To give that one last look back on what the team had accomplished, to be able to finally conclude it all and move on.
The game was great, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else you guys have in stock. ❤
P.S. "Don't look for Quintessence, don't play it."
Oh, I'm gonna, alright. I didn't know who Lunair was, and yet Beachsode managed to make me interested in her right off the bat. As Beachsode was able to fill that missing element IF possessed, I, too, wish to fill that lack in knowledge I didn't touch upon all those years (for which I deeply apologise).
Also, don't worry, from what I've seen, people love Quintessence.
Thank you for unforgetable moments your games have brought into my life. They mean a lot to me.
I have never cried so much before pressing a single button, like I did during the ending. Thank you ❤
*sigh*
thanks for this amazing series Kan
the post credits scene had just the right amount of every ingredient
I am now very curious to see what new stories not connected to a recognized franchise the studio could release. I am sure that talented people can gift us something refreshing and even more memorable.
ONESHOT REFERENCE?! BASED!
Kan Gao and Nightmargin even has some interaction on Twitter
I think that's pretty cool : D
All of you are so special 💙
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I can’t wait to see what you do next and I need to go back to play your older games now after wondering who the heck Lunair was for the longest time.
U know what i m from India i love sir of my most involved emotional complex and yet simple to play game to the moon series so close to my life core times left a permanent mark in my dna like naruto to my life …
I got the game sitting in my library right now o/ waiting for the weekend to enjoy it... right after I go through a roller coaster of emotions REPLAYING the entire series again just to crash into the beach... I hope it is a sandy beach and not a rocky one ='3
@Kan not thinking it's good enough is a part of the creative process that makes great art. as long as it doesn't paralyze you and you keep going...
and as someone with background in neuroscience I can certainly tell you that sadness and thinking things are bad is a part of the mechanism of contemplation.
the other side of it, is when you don't make mistakes (or perceive actions to go as planned), and enter the state of flow (more commonly seen in confident sportsmen than artists)
Hi Kan, just finished it today, a very nice experience albeit a bit too short though - can't think of any other complaint, I would've played more of it, like another full day! Also, since it's not that long, inevitably the "plot-twist" moment kinda happens too quickly, I mean any fan can already imagine what lurks beneath this vacation, but I would've better rationed the surprise elements, only showing them off towards the second half or something.
Still, a satisfying game and an ideal conclusion of a series we loved and cared throughout the years, thank you for the ride.
Working theory: Lunair is a imaginary character from ancient game Neil used to play in his childhood, which did stuck in his memories, and Faye created a virtual person out of it, so she won't be so lonely in her digital confinement
The best media franchise ever written. by far.
Is the beach episode coming out on GOG with the rest of the series, or is it just staying on steam for now?
niko popping up in the corner my heart
I personally think that you are a great writer. I get how you feel that you aren't either but what i can tell you for certain is that you have a wonderful mind.
I also love when I can feel the authors intervention in a story like what you did with the inclusion of Lunair. "Because I want to" is such a valid reasoning in my opinion. I want to experience a story the author wants to write more than anything so thank you for staying true to yourself.
For me, the missing feeling from Imposter Factory was Eva and Dr. Watts' exchanges. That was missing for a GOOD chunk of the game, but it was needed. Beach episode was missing something because it was right in front of our face from the very title screen (And even I missed some hints in the pics...) and not very subtle with the books you get to choose either. At this point its a mystery of spoiler alert who died, which of the two doctors died.Odds are it was who it ended up being which I figured was the one to die and this whole time that knowledge, is what caused the missing feeling. I cried my eyes out and thats a good thing, but, I admit, I do not want either doctor to die, much less never truly get together. If you meant what you said that Beach and Last Hour are good/bad endings then imo, Beach was the bad ending, however, in the credits you said the story will continue in Last hour... you're planning something here and not its not a literal theres only two endings type deal and given how the machine works, or any new plot points you thought of, I can see you pulling that off. Regardless of if the two are connected (which they are by your garden statement) or not, I just want to say thank you again. This series is awesome and never disappoints. Give yourself a bit more credit though, you've wrote truly wonderful characters and I'm looking forward to that remake of Quintessence that you hinted about. That said, I prolly will go look the game up if I don't hear an announcement for it in the nearish future since I'm only assuming its a remake. Again, thank you! P.s. I'm really hoping in the end in some form (E.g. after life) that the two OG doctors themselves can wind up together, they deserve to be together and happy.
Windah Basudara, he is a biggest gaming streamer in Indonesia with 14.000.000 subscriber, and that guy has rated for game
To The Moon 10/10
Finding Paradise 10/10
very deserve
Já to vendo o Alanzoka chorando com o próximo jogo
Tem que lembrar o Alan da existência desse jogo
Aguardando ansiosamente, ter o Alan chorando rios no final é praticamente um evento canônico a esse ponto
é melhor esperar sentado, ele não pretende jogar esse tão cedo
@@twistedspiffoexiste uma chance boa dele jogar quando lançar pra português... Espero né
Currently 98% Steam user rating, we love your games Kan!
Eu adorei o jogo, masterpiece!!
Don't worry, if there is anyone I trust making games, it is always you, always
Looking forward to last hour either way even if I know it’s going to hurt
обожаю людей , которые прям болеют за свое дело🤗 И да, мне понравился Impostor factory , но я определенно куплю и сыграю в Beach Episode.
"a garden"
Similar to Miyamoto's 'Miniature Garden'.
What do you mean though? A nice place to look at? A (small) place of things that 'fit' together?
A place that you can show? Or something else (as well)?
Amazing, 1 out of 2 endings to the game
0:45 Hello Niko
There's something about the way he says "Last Hour"...
I know there is supposed to be the RPG game after this, but was this the last game as far as the story goes? I mean will the RPG game continue the story? or will it be a side thing, and this was the finale of the series?
RPG game will conclude the story
Since the moment of 6:15 Kan says that the RPG game is connected to the series (he uses the analogy of Impostor Factory being the outer shell of the ending, The Beach Episode being the inner crust, and the RPG would be something of "a core", inside that).
WARNING
This game has Rickroll in it
where??
@@lilrockstar8170 secret
Where
@@lilrockstar8170 secret, it is optional
@@lilrockstar8170 I've seen it in the part of the beach where the kickstarters got to put a message in a bottle, not in the writing of the actual story. Pretty sure that's what the original poster is referring to.
Yay!
Will we get to see how Quincy is doing after Beach Episode? Does he have anyone to deal with it after everything?
Well, here to a promise, to an expectation that, it will all work out in the end. (I guess Beach Episode don't sit well with me much, for the nonce).
I guess it is really the end huh. I figure it is too soon to ask if you have any other future plans, unrelated to the Sigmund Corp. series?
Create game again please, i need cry in your new journey, the best creator game masterpiece and powerfull
hi there- 20 minutes into the game I am already sobbing Sir
How are you now, 5 hours later?
@@Shirokroete i just finished it... after taking a break last night. still sobbing! didn't want to press escape at the end :(
end of an era
@@iamporkychops I agree. That escape button was one of the most deviant things put in a video game. No joke, I sat there for 5 minutes refusing to press the button, not wanting to let the fantasy go. Masterful gambit, Mr. Gao.
感谢您有如神祝、有如神助的作品，自大的邪恶开始苏醒，我和您一样了悟，我向您坦白
love you man!
12:18
I do have a few characters like this in my current project as well.
Clickbait title: Cactus Explained
muito bom o jogo, chorei tanto que atacou minha sinusite e agora todo o meu rosto dói. recomendo!
Still waiting for GOG ._.
Stay humble brother
It is a good life, isn't it? :')
I think you should try the fantasy genre again, like you did in Quintessence, but not as an RPG this time. A 4-5 hour playtime is ideal for an RPG Maker game.
I mean... It cost like 12€... But it's value it's way higher... You don't Need a Long game to have a good game.
Videogame is interaction. And the last scene you see in Beach episode is the best interaction in videogame I ever see.
I would like to ask how tò leave a message on the Memory Beach if someone know can you please tell me?
Time is Place
You're good at following the natural course of a story, is what you meant?
You're asking us not to play Quintessence because it's embarrassing for you? Too bad, because I'm gonna play anyway BWAHAHAHAHA
Lol nice. I hope you enjoy your time with this fine, overlooked gem of a game.