The Missing: JJ Macfield and the Island of Memories

Swery proves that his storytelling skills are unlike any other in the industry – I would only wish that someone helped him to design better puzzles. [13/2018, p.80]

The Missing – J.J. MacField and the Island of Memories combined it's puzzle-platformer gameplay and narrative in a way that truly makes use of the medium and highlight's it's best potential. Difficult subject matter and a leaning toward the surreal drive a story that touches upon aspects of humanity that are rarely explored in games.

The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories is an evocative, offbeat adventure with a sinister yet imaginative gameplay hook. Its story suffers slightly from subpar voice acting and an eagerness to tell more than show, but for the most part this is a dark, strange and utterly compelling journey into the tortured mind of its main character, and one absolutely well worth taking.

The Missing is smaller and more mechanically conventional than Deadly Premonition or D4, but its components remain focused on distinctly a Swery game: a dark, idiosyncratic experience that tells a deeply personal story that's as confronting as it is sincere. It is absolutely not for everyone, but as the game reminds us, there is nothing wrong with that.

The Missing told a moving story about J.J.’s personal struggles that caught me off guard more than once. Like its surprisingly heartfelt narrative, this quirky indie side-scroller came out of nowhere, but I’m glad I didn’t miss out on The Missing.

The Missing is a good puzzle platformer, with inspiring atmosphere. The puzzles are good, sometimes a bit too brainy.

The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories is a game full of feels and pain, that uses a puzzle game to tell a story of searching and growing up in our strange and bad world.

JJ has to impale herself, burn herself alive and suffer all other kinds of mutilation in order to progress. Even when you get accustomed to that, The Missing keeps getting under your skin in many other ways. [Issue#234, p.62]

Swery's the MISSING is a touching game, with original thoughts behind a good and surprising plot. A mysterious and mystic adventure through classic puzzle-platforming. Sometimes is slow and unrefined but the good atmosphere deletes the pains of backtracking and dead times.

Swery's touch keeps the whole adventure interesting, although many issues regarding its control make it hard to enjoy sometimes. It is definitely unique, but it needs some polishing.