Carry Onward is a short emotional narrative-driven game that follows Thomas, a grieving man, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery while packing up his home. Experience his quest to find healing and hope as he prepares to leave behind the house he once shared with his beloved wife. Engage with seemingly ordinary objects, each holding special significance to Thomas and his past, and explore the inner thoughts and emotions of a man seeking solace and purpose. Witness how even the smallest moments can have a profound impact on our lives and shape who we are...

Interacting with items gives you three different options to choose

Despite its title, this is not a new game tie-in to a new Carry On movie based in a hospital ward. It's a lone developer's vanity project that, for some reason, the publisher thinks we all need to see. Now, don't get me wrong, this is quite an accomplishment for a sole developer. And it will look great on their CV when they are applying for job positions at studios. But, does the general public really need to spend £4 on something that is over in around 30 mins and isn't so much a game as it is a slightly interactive tale?

The "game" is simple. You play as a recently widowed man, who is in the middle of moving. So, whilst you are awaiting the removal truck's arrival, you get to have one last wander around your apartment's rooms. You must interact with important artifacts, before finally picking up the boxes and moving them to the removal van.

There's an emotionally charged story behind all this, which makes playing through the "game" worthwhile. When you interact with an item you are given three different one-word options. However, it's not overly clear what any of your choices really mean. These options, apparently lead to one of five different endings. But as the words don't really have much meaning, spending time choosing which one to plumb for is a bit pointless.

Carry Onward is a short emotional narrative-driven game

On my first play through, I thought I had interacted with everything I could (obviously I hadn't) and frustrated with the lack of progression, I decided to try switching off all the lights. Now, in total darkness, I was unable to find my way back to a light switch, and so I had to restart the "game" in order to complete it.

I'm being generous with my score here, as I really can't recommend it at all as a paid for experience. I think the developer would have made more of an impact, not to mention reputation for himself, if he'd offered the game for free. Or at the very least, charged 99p with all money going to a bereavement charity.

5

Darren Rea