A Space for the Unbound (Review)

By Rae

“In every storm you’ll find your sunrise”

Here at The Geekly Grind, we’ve loved exploring games from Mojiken – from the whimsical and charming Banyu Lintar Angin to the devastatingly beautiful When the Past Was Around, they’ve brought us wonderful stories. Needless to say, A Space for the Unbound is one we’ve been watching closely, and I’m very thankful that we got the chance to explore this new adventure.

In a rural Indonesian town, Atma and Raya are two average teenagers living their average lives. They take care of a stray cat in the neighborhood, occasionally get into trouble, and have an epic bucket list ranging from petting the fluffiest animal known to man, to a humble trip to the movies together. Their lives are perfectly normal – or so it seems, until one day Atma discovers his girlfriend’s magical powers when she saves him from falling out of a tree.

Unfortunately what seems like a harmless power has some dangerous potential, and soon an attempt at gifting a magical experience instead begins pulling apart the threads of time and reality, causing increasingly problematic consequences. As the world destabilizes further and further, Atma has to begin searching for ways to help the townsfolk around him, and also to find Raya and figure out what’s happening.

A Space for the Unbound moves seamlessly between realism and fantasy. This makes it a great canvas on which to touch on a number of heavy topics, including the realities of depression, enduring abuse, and the crushing weight of wishing you’d lived a different life – anyone’s except your own. In this world where disbelief is suspended in a tapestry of fairytales, magic, and discovery, there are no boundaries – anything is possible, for better or for worse.

I will always believe that while fun and gameplay and storylines matter, at the end of the day the best games make you feel, and A Space for the Unbound does that perfectly. Exploring 1990s Indonesia, slipping in and out of arcades and internet cafes feels nostalgic. The struggles of the townsfolk and students around the player feels relatable. Raya’s story feels hopeful, heartbreaking, and astonishing. Maybe it sounds painfully cheesy to say that there were points in the game where I laughed, and points where I smiled, and points where I literally sobbed (don’t make fun of me – I cry a lot), but this was a game I felt with my whole heart throughout the entire playthrough.

For those who have played Mojiken’s other offerings, there are some easter eggs to find as you explore the town as well. Bringing up memories of games like When the Past Was Around is both brilliant and heartwarming.

I suppose it’s less exciting to talk about the technical details in a game where story is the biggest draw, but I do want to mention that I did like the gameplay a lot in A Space for the Unbound. Moments of puzzle solving, fighting game mechanics, and stealthy sneaking help to break up an otherwise purely narrative experience. I enjoyed playing it, and except for one puzzle where I got stuck overcomplicating things, everything was approachable and fun to figure out.

Enhanced with classic, vibrant pixel art and a lovely soundtrack, A Space for the Unbound matches any of Mojiken’s other offerings. Unfortunately I’m sure I missed a lot of little details and I know I still have some bucket list items to complete, but this is a title I won’t regret going back to in the future to re-explore. It was a lovely experience, and worth it for anyone who wants a fresh twist on a classic adventure 90s style game.