Goodbye Volcano High Review

It’s the end of the world as we know it with the release of KO_OP’s new cinematic narrative adventure Goodbye Volcano High. Should players navigate this troubled time, or is this title a dinosaur?

Goodbye Volcano High Review

Set eight months before the end, Goodbye Volcano High follows the story of the senior Fang at the titular Volcano High. Along with their friends Reed, Trish, and the band Worm Drama, their love of music permeates everything that they do.

However, even though they secured a slot in the Battle of the Bands, there’s still a number of things on Fang’s mind. On top of that, there’s an asteroid hurtling their way, disrupting all of the school’s cell phone service and could potentially exterminate all life – no big deal.

While this title features a number of scaly creatures and nods to dinosaur classics, this is first and foremost a coming-of-age tale; think less Jurassic Park and more Freaks and Geeks. Puberty takes center stage, with the cast and crew trying to find themselves amidst all of the havoc, photo day, Legends and Lore, and life after graduation.

It’s something that players have no doubt seen countless times in different forms of media. While Goodbye Volcano High features a number of anthropomorphic creatures, it ironically plays things far too safe. The corny jokes, over-the-top reactions, closed eyes, and sweat drops make it feel like a quirky anime series, but even its unique setting doesn’t quite do enough to stand out from the rest of the prehistoric pack.

If anything, there is little gameplay to speak of in Goodbye Volcano High. Action plays out like a cartoon, with the occasional dialog choice popping up. If anything, this feels a bit like the illusion of choice, with most actions having little impact with the story from what we could tell. The entirety of the title can be polished off in a little more than five episodes, or the equivalent of a Netflix miniseries. There are some flashbacks, but those are more like bonus features than anything else.

There’s also a few different segments that let Fang test out their musical chops. Notes come from different sides of the screen, with players hitting the corresponding buttons when everything lines up. Other button cues occasionally pop up, but these segments are more rudimentary than hardcore rhythm game sessions. Nevertheless, they do break things up quite nicely.

For a game about dinosaurs and the end of the world, Goodbye Volcano High’s coming of age tale ironically plays things far too safe. Those looking for a comfort tale akin to an anime will enjoy its trappings, but those who have already graduated have no doubt seen what this title has to offer.

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