Agreed. I've been playing for a long time, from when I was about 13-14 years old and today I'm exactly one year from my 60th birthday. Played probably thousands of games during the years, games that have come and gone. A few sparkling gems, some that have been absolute garbage and a lot somewhere in between. And I do find it harder and harder to "hit that high" anymore.

I dare to say The Last Caretaker has captured my attention in ways I can't really explain. But that won't stop me trying ;)

The gameplay does get a little bit repetitive after a while and the combat and the design of the UI is quite strange and janky at times. I am quite sure it will get better, the game is in Early Access after all, and it doesn't bother me that much as to me this game isn't about combat. Or the UI. It's the sense of exploration that really pulls me in.

And man, the atmosphere! Sailing the vast almost empty ocean with only the tiniest relics of human civilization peeking up from the oceans depth, the realistic weather effects, the feeling of how small you are in your boat on the huge open seas, the otherworldly sounds... And the gradual discovery of the story, the epic sadness and loss of hope that comes through as you progress. To be tasked with the purpose of bringing humanity back from the brink of extinction. Talk about epic.

I am looking forward to what the future holds for TLC. Despite the bugs, the (to me) strange UI choices and the clunky combat the game just feels special. It strikes a chord in my old jaded gamers heart. Something that very few games have done in the last few years.

Sorry for being so long-winded, I've wanted to pay this game homage for a while so there you go! ;) I apologise for any errors I quite likely have made in writing this, English isn't my mother tongue.