The game “Kentucky Route Zero” has been around for a decade, or at least the first portion of it has, and to my surprise I have never gotten around to checking it out until now with the new release “Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition” for the PlayStation 5. This episodic creation by the independent studio, Cardboard Computer, presents a captivating five-part series that follows the intertwined paths of diverse characters. Published by Annapurna Interactive, which, in my opinion, are the kings of indie video games these days, and this one is no disappointment with such a strange story about a secret subterranean highway beneath Kentucky, and the enigmatic individuals who traverse its passages.
Functioning as a point-and-click adventure with a strong emphasis on dialogue and player choices, the game’s core objective across each act is to locate an elusive address within the mysterious domain of the zero—a cryptic highway. The decisions I faced during the game often left me uncertain about their implications, yet I discerned that every choice contributed to the narrative, shaping it in a unique direction that felt personal. The cumulative impact of choices adds depth to the story, even if they don’t fundamentally alter the overarching plot. “Kentucky Route Zero” is an episodic point-and-click adventure consisting of five acts set predominantly in fictitious locales near Interstate 65 in Kentucky and the Mammoth Cave National Park. Interestingly these acts mostly were released years in-between one another taking seven years to release all five, the first act releasing in 2013 and the fifth in 2020. I feel like I’m benefiting by not needing to wait and being able to binge these great stories with great characters.
Speaking of characters, each act follows someone different, these characters include Conway, Shannon, Ezra and Julian (siblings), and my personal favorites, Junebug and Johnny, a pair of mechanical musicians. The game’s narrative structure forms a continuous loop, where elements at the conclusion connect back to the game’s inception. I can’t compare what the experience was like on older generation consoles, but the performance on PS5 feels very seamless, while the art style is very artistic and minimalistic, it still looks incredibly beautiful with amazing use of colors. While the game boasts an extensive amount of text-based content, I do worry that some players who are averse to reading so much in a video game can feel somewhat laborious. For me, I didn’t have that issue and everything here is so very eloquently written that it’s definitely novel worthy. The abundance of dialogue options ensures that multiple playthroughs remain fresh and revealing. Despite dedicating numerous hours to the game, there were still conversations and scenes I had yet to encounter. It is easily designed for the gamer to play through these acts several times and always find something new.
I don’t want to get into the weeds when it comes to story, but trust me there is a lot here to love. A distinctive thing “Kentucky Route Zero” does at times is shifting your perspective through the eyes or lens or someone or somewhere else, which I thought was a really cool way to tell certain parts of the story. This technique enhances the game’s enigmatic ambiance and contributes to a truly unique gaming experience I don’t think I’ve had anywhere else. The level of creativity displayed in many of the approaches here is unparalleled; it feels as if the game were a creation of the filmmaker David Lynch or something, delivering an ethereal and transformative road trip.
Completing the entire journey took me roughly nine to ten hours, with each act averaging less than two hours. The cumulative effect of the series was profound, leaving an indelible impression. I think I’ll just leave it at that, there’s such amazing writing and artistry displayed, I can’t sing its praises enough. “Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition” invites players into a surreal and mysterious adventure. For those who relish dialogue-driven, atmospheric adventures, this game offers an unforgettable odyssey that transcends traditional gaming narratives.
9/10
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Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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