Desta: The Memories Between review

Recommended

by Temptershell

Desta: The Memories Between follows Desta, who returns home and works through unresolved relationships in a series of surreal dream-matches of tactical dodgeball. It’s less about winning games and more about rehearsing the hard conversations you’ve been avoiding for years. As a tactics game, Desta is deceptively simple. Grid-based movement, two actions per turn and physics-driven throws sound light, but the ricochets, passes and character abilities create a satisfying puzzle box. Difficulty is tuned fairly: mistakes hurt, ale rarely feel cruel, and the roguelite structure encourages experimentation. Yet repetition creeps in – similar arenas, recycled conversations and runs that blur together. Audiovisually it leans on minimalist dioramas and a soft colour palette; atmospheric, if not striking, with a soundtrack that supports the mood but can feel a little monotonous over longer sessions. As an emotional journey, though, Desta lands. The writing is gentle and empathetic, the voice acting warm, and the themes of grief, anxiety and reconnecting feel honest rather than melodramatyczne. With my score of 70/100, it’s a flawed but quietly affecting tactics story that’s worth visiting – even if you don’t stay for endless runs.