From the moment I first saw the Goodbye Volcano High trailer back in June 2020, I was in love with the concept. I grew up on Winx Club and Monster High. I know anything involving non-human characters going to school is right up my alley. Also, the game is full of queer representation, which is a huge plus for me. That said, it wasn’t until after I played the demo and tried to recall my experience that a unique angle hit me.
What hit me is that afterwards, my brain was confused. It was trying to remember the story the way it remembers watching an animated TV show, even though it was a video game.
About Goodbye Volcano High
Goodbye Volcano High is about a group of anthropomorphic dinosaurs in their final year of high school. Just as they are about to graduate, they realize that a meteor is heading to Earth. With that in mind, Goodbye Volcano High’s cast must decide what they’ll do with their remaining time before the meteor crashes on Earth. The main character, a nonbinary Pterosaur named Fang, is part of a three-dino band called Worm Drama. Their two bandmates, Trish and Reed, are also in the main cast.
All of them are coping with their impending doom in their own way. With only so much time left until the meteor reaches Earth, each character has a set of goals they want to accomplish before then. For example, Fang wants to make it big with Worm Drama. Meanwhile, other characters want to take care of some unfinished business.
Throughout the game, you’ll make choices that can impact your relationships and how the story unfolds. The game also features rhythm game segments, which help break up the story segments.
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Goodbye Volcano High’s Immersion
Out of all the games on the show floor at PAX East 2023, Goodbye Volcano High was the game that took me somewhere else. I wondered if it would live up to the high expectations I had for the game, and it did. It truly felt like I was watching an animated show, but getting a say in what was happening. The art style is very reminiscent of anime, and the characters all have unique designs.
I’m not very good at rhythm games, so the minigames were a bit tough for me, but I loved the story, and I can’t wait to play more of it over the summer.
For those looking for an engaging narrative experience, keep an eye out for Goodbye Volcano High. The game launches on June 15 for Steam, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
