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Above the Clouds review
Explore the choice-driven visual novel combining humor, relationships, and narrative depth
Above the Clouds stands out as a distinctive choice-driven visual novel that blends humor, mystery, and relationship dynamics into an engaging narrative experience. Developed by Mundo Games, this interactive adventure invites players into the eccentric world of the protagonist’s family as they relocate to Pitsville, a hometown filled with secrets and unusual characters. The game emphasizes player agency through branching story paths where decisions genuinely impact character arcs, relationship outcomes, and overall progression. With over 4,400 images, 130+ sound effects, and 30-40 hours of content across multiple playthroughs, Above the Clouds delivers a rich experience for players seeking narrative-driven gameplay with meaningful choices that shape their journey.
Understanding Above the Clouds: Story, Setting & Core Premise
So, picture this: you’re just living your life, dealing with the usual routine, when your dad drops a bombshell at dinner. 🍽️ He’s decided—completely out of the blue—to move the whole family to his sleepy, forgotten hometown called Pitsville. No discussion, no real explanation. Just… we’re going. If your first thought is “This has to be a mid-life crisis,” you’re not alone. This is the brilliantly relatable, slightly chaotic start to the Above the Clouds story, and it instantly pulls you into its world.
Your role? You’re the older brother, suddenly tasked with being the rock for your two sisters—the pragmatic Lucy and the free-spirited Evelyn—while grappling with your own bewilderment. The visual novel plot cleverly traps you with that most universal of motivators: financial dependency. You can’t just say no; you all have to go along with it. What seems like a simple story about an awkward family relocation quickly becomes the launchpad for a globetrotting, character-driven adventure filled with bizarre encounters, heartfelt moments, and a central Pitsville mystery that will have you hooked.
This chapter is your foundation. We’re diving into the core premise of Above the Clouds, breaking down why this move happens, who you’re stuck with, and what secrets start bubbling to the surface the moment you arrive. Understanding this setup is key to appreciating the incredible interactive storytelling and branching story paths that make this game so special.
The Plot: Why Your Family Moves to Pitsville
The genius of the Above the Clouds story often lies in its grounding in frustratingly real family dynamics. Dad’s decree isn’t framed as some grand, exciting adventure. It’s presented as a baffling, unilateral decision that disrupts everyone’s lives. The “why” is deliberately withheld, not just from you, the protagonist, but from the player as well. This creates an immediate and personal investment in the Pitsville mystery. You’re not solving an abstract puzzle; you’re trying to understand your own father’s seemingly erratic behavior.
This forced relocation is the engine of the entire visual novel plot. It’s the catalyst that pushes your character out of their comfort zone and directly into the path of the town’s oddities. The narrative doesn’t waste time; the mystery begins with the move, not after it. Your goals become intertwined: survive this family upheaval, look after your sisters, and secretly (or not so secretly) investigate what on earth prompted this journey.
Pro Tip: Pay close attention to the family conversations during the move. The writing sows tiny seeds of character motivation and future plot threads even in these early, seemingly straightforward scenes. Your choices here in dialogue can shape your siblings’ attitudes for chapters to come.
The beauty of this premise is how it escalates. One day you’re packing boxes, and before you know it, you’re meeting a mysterious woman in a local bar who seems to know more about your situation than she lets on, or you’re uncovering strange town histories that hint at something much larger. The choice-driven narrative ensures you control the pace and focus of this escalation. Do you press your dad for answers immediately, risking an argument? Or do you explore the town first, gathering clues from its eccentric residents? The branching story paths start diverging right from these early, tense family interactions.
Here are the key story elements that define this initial narrative structure:
- The Inciting Incident: Dad’s sudden announcement. It’s vague, emotional, and inescapable.
- The Protagonist’s Role: You are the older sibling, a mediator and investigator caught between duty and curiosity.
- The Central Question: What is the real reason behind this move to Pitsville? This question is the heart of the early game Pitsville mystery.
- The Stakes: Family stability, personal freedom, and the uncovering of a potentially life-altering secret.
- The Tone Shift: The story masterfully blends the mundane stress of moving with the creeping intrigue of a larger, unfolding drama.
| Plot Element | Its Role in the Narrative | Player Agency Example |
|---|---|---|
| The Father’s Decision | Creates forced conflict and the core mystery; removes the safety of the status quo. | Choosing your emotional reaction (supportive, angry, suspicious) shapes family dialogue. |
| Financial Dependency | Provides a believable “railroad” to Pitsville, making the player feel the protagonist’s lack of options. | Dialogue options exploring ways to gain independence or accept the situation. |
| Arrival in Pitsville | Shifts the setting and introduces new characters, clues, and immediate weirdness. | Deciding how to spend your first days: family time, solo exploration, or pursuing specific leads. |
Character Dynamics and the Eccentric Family Unit
If the move to Pitsville is the rocket, then your family is the fuel—volatile, complex, and absolutely essential for the journey. The Above the Clouds story excels because its interactive storytelling is built upon these deeply drawn relationships. You don’t just observe your family; you actively navigate your role within it through a choice-driven narrative.
Let’s break down your immediate crew:
- You (The Protagonist): Your personality is a canvas painted by your choices. Are you the responsible caretaker, the cynical skeptic, or the curious detective? The game allows you to blend these roles. Your relationships with your sisters are not static; they are dynamics you actively cultivate or neglect through your decisions.
- Lucy (The Younger Sister): Often the voice of frustrated practicality. 😤 She’s likely the most openly resistant to the move. Your interactions with her can range from forming a united front against the chaos to butting heads over how to handle the situation. Supporting her can reveal her hidden vulnerabilities.
- Evelyn (The Other Sister): The wild card. She might approach the move with a sense of bemused detachment or quirky optimism. Her storyline often involves chasing her own interests in this new town, leading you down unexpected branching story paths depending on how much you engage with her world.
The “eccentric family unit” extends beyond blood. Pitsville itself is populated with characters who feel like they’ve walked in from a particularly imaginative novel. This is where the character-driven adventure truly shines. You’ll meet the gruff but kindly bartender who has seen generations of town secrets, the reclusive artist who paints strangely accurate portraits of future events, or the overly enthusiastic town historian who knows a little too much about local legends.
Meeting Ember at the local bar isn’t just a random encounter; it’s a masterclass in character introduction. She’s enigmatic, seems disconnected from the town’s usual gossip, yet possesses an intriguing aura. How you choose to interact with her—flirtatious, cautious, direct—can open up or close off significant threads in the visual novel plot. These characters aren’t just quest givers; they are pieces of the Pitsville mystery, and your relationships with them determine which pieces you get to see.
Uncovering Town Secrets and Hidden Mysteries
Pitsville is a character in itself, and its secrets are the glue between the family drama and the wider adventure. The Pitsville mystery isn’t a single, locked-room puzzle. It’s a tapestry of oddities, half-told stories, and lingering questions about your father’s past. Uncovering it is a core part of the interactive storytelling.
The game brilliantly balances tone. One moment you’re dealing with the hilarious absurdity of a town meeting about ceremonial garden gnomes, and the next, you’re finding a faded photograph that suggests your father left Pitsville under circumstances no one wants to talk about. 😲 This blend of humor and heart is what gives the Above the Clouds story its depth. The comedic moments make the characters feel real and lovable, which in turn makes the emotional revelations land with greater impact.
The process of discovery is entirely guided by your curiosity. This is the essence of a choice-driven narrative. The mystery unfolds based on where you look and who you talk to.
* Do you spend your evening digging through the town’s archaic library records?
* Do you help a peculiar local with their strange request, hoping for information in return?
* Do you directly confront the few old-timers who flinch at your family name?
Each avenue offers different clues and colors the visual novel plot in a unique way. You might uncover a secret about a buried town tragedy, a mysterious group that once operated there, or a personal betrayal that shaped your father’s youth. These secrets often tie directly back to your family, creating those powerful, heartfelt moments of revelation that redefine how you view your dad and your own place in this unfolding story.
The branching story paths mean that your theory about the mystery might be completely different from another player’s, based on the evidence you prioritized finding. You are literally writing the history of Pitsville as you play, piecing together a truth that is unique to your journey. This approach makes the character-driven adventure profoundly personal. You’re not just solving a mystery; you’re determining what the mystery even is, and what solving it will cost—or heal—within your own family.
Ultimately, Above the Clouds uses its small-town setting and family premise as a powerful launchpad. It understands that the most compelling stories are about people first and puzzles second. By rooting its Pitsville mystery in relatable family tension and populating its world with unforgettable characters, it creates an interactive storytelling experience where every choice feels significant. You’re not just reading a visual novel plot; you’re living inside it, shaping its heart and uncovering its soul, one beautifully rendered choice at a time.
Above the Clouds delivers a compelling experience for players seeking narrative-driven interactive fiction that prioritizes meaningful choices and character development. The game’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor with genuine emotional depth, creating a world where player decisions authentically shape relationships, story outcomes, and character arcs. With its branching narrative structure, diverse romantic options, and engaging mini-games that serve the story rather than distract from it, the game offers substantial replay value across 30-40 hours of content. The availability across multiple platforms—Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android—ensures accessibility for a wide audience, while the ongoing development and regular updates demonstrate the developer’s commitment to the project. Whether you’re drawn to choice-driven narratives, relationship-focused gameplay, or mystery-laden storytelling, Above the Clouds presents a mature, humorous, and engaging adventure that rewards careful attention to dialogue and strategic decision-making. For visual novel enthusiasts seeking a fresh take on the genre that combines eccentric characters, meaningful consequences, and narrative depth, this game stands as a worthwhile experience.
