Spoilers for the beginning of The World Next Door.

So, as you can tell by the fact that the cover of this book is Rainy and the fact that I spurred on two different people to experience this game, I LOVE The World Next Door. I think the cast of characters is both dynamic and extremely likable (yes, even Horace). The character designs are remarkable, and the lore is intriguing enough that I was pulled in the whole way through.

I don't think the game is perfect by any means. I can't really explain why without spoiling the end game, so I'll leave that for another chapter. But one of the places this game absolutely excels is the soundtrack. I am a big fan of music, so it's usually one of the first things I pay attention to when I discover a new fandom. There are a lot of bangers in the soundtrack, and I appreciate the fact that it maintains a distinct sense of style.

My favorite song is called Impasse. It plays when you exit the first shrine and find the portal has closed, trapping Jun in Emrys and slating her to die if the party can't do anything. The music is just so full of that loss and hopelessness that fills the scene. It starts with a set of synths that sound similar to xylophone. It's not quite chip tune, but it's ethereal and nostalgic. And then this underlaying piano starts up. It plays a lower melody, even a different one. And there's the briefest bit of a bass part if you listen closely.

I just knew this game was something special when I heard this track. I literally looked up the OST on Spotify the minute it first started playing.

It perfectly captures the grief of it all. It's very short, so I usually loop it, but you should all give it a listen. I'll put the link in the comments.