Jett: The Far Shore

PC, PS4, PS5

Developer/publisher Superbrothers, Pine Scented Software

Format PC, PS4, PS5 (tested)

Release Out now

Four words, spoken towards the end of Superbrothers’ science-fiction adventure, say everything about the kind of game it is. They come from your co-pilot Isao, who is ebullient, loquacious company in the early hours, but now cuts a despondent figure. He’s relaying to the rest of your group of scouts how, in the course of completing your current objective, you found yourself in an entanglement with a particularly large opponent – one he’s forced to admit involved “mutual belligerence” by way of your craft’s concussive ‘pop’. Head bowed in contrition, he addresses his colleagues: “Regrettably, there was a battle.”

Jett, then, is not like most other science-fiction games. It is slow, contemplative and, at times, deeply introspective. It is not afraid to confront the big questions. At one point, Isao even invites protagonist Mei to consider humanity’s purpose, presenting you with three options (which we won’t spoil here). The one you choose does not carry a significant narrative or mechanical impact. No one’s fate hinges upon it. All the same, we consider our response for some time. And when we eventually proffer an answer, we don’t need a text prompt in the corner of the screen to know that Isao will remember it.