Viaerium
This game isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. It’s about 30min long (unless you go back and replay for achievements), and pretty much impossible to fail. The gameplay consists mostly of wandering along retrieving fortune cookies and hitting switches until you advance to the next zone. It’s different, it’s chill, but it’s not amazing.
One really frustrating aspect to me is that it allows you to use a controller for navigation, but not for camera control or jumping… so… what’s the point?
What this game has going for it:
– Real player with 1.6 hrs in game
Read More: Best Narration Minimalist Games.
Buy, but not at full price; This is a Single Sitting game where your objective is to become a counselor by running & jumping … (platformer)
So, to become a counselor yourself you gotta reach the Council, this is done with Run & Jump and works very decent with Keyb + Mouse.
Gamepad (x360) support is lacking sadly enough (though you can fix this with the steam controller api by adding custom controls to your controller).
The game is short as mentioned, but i had a nice time completing it.; there’s enough variation in the levels and there’s some storylines that keep you busy while completing the game as well..
– Real player with 1.6 hrs in game
Road 96 🛣️
Full video review: https://youtu.be/qJ7308la4hI
Summarized version below!
I consume way too many of these narrative-driven games for my own good, but I’m always on the lookout for one that tries to do something new, something cool - so I was excited to give Road 96 a look.
Note: Trimmed review to fit character limit, check video for full version!
Gameplay:
Road 96 is basically a more involved “choose your own adventure”-type game. There are decisions to make and these decisions end up affecting what path you go down and what ending you get. You don’t just play as one protagonist, but multiple. There is a small cast of recurring characters you will meet along this journey and that’s where the meat of the game lies.
– Real player with 17.4 hrs in game
Read More: Best Narration Adventure Games.
This is the model that all walking simulators should follow from now on.
It’s really good. Like most “choice” based games, no, there isn’t as much variety in actual gameplay as was originally suggested in the trailer. Many of the games roughly 200-300 conversations play out similarly in one playthrough to the next, but they may occur at different points in your journeys, and with different people. I would say that is better than most of these types of games allow…think Life is Strange, Firewatch etc, where you are on rails for pretty much the entire game and there are only changes in the flavor text as a result of your meticulously thought over actions.
– Real player with 16.1 hrs in game
A Juggler’s Tale
Some comparisons have been made to games like “Little Nightmares”, and at first, that seemed far fetched, but it actually turned out to be kinda true: even though this game isn’t nearly as horror-themed, there are several scenes which are moody and scary and also involve chase sequences.
The story itself is presented as an actual story, with the narrator doing a great job setting the tone and also, sometimes, explaining what to do if the player ever gets stuck. The mechanics and riddles might not be that innovative to players who are familiar with these kinds of games, but for newcomers, there are several tricky parts. I especially struggled with some of the scenarios, but managed to solve them without needing to look anything up online. So, if I can do it, pretty much everyone can do it. There are even some nice conceptual twists thrown in, with drastic turns you might not expect. It has an undeniable meta-quality to it, and the game takes good advantage of that.
– Real player with 8.0 hrs in game
Read More: Best Narration Puzzle Platformer Games.
A very entertaining and beautiful puzzle adventure game, but solutions are a little obvious and game time could be longer.
A Juggler’s Tale is a charming fairy tale adventure with puzzle and platform elements.
Abby, is being held hostage. Confined in a cage, she is only released to perform circus tricks for scraps of food. The ring master is mean and domineering, and her life is tedious and unfulfilled.
All she wants to do is break free from her prison and see the world.
– Real player with 4.5 hrs in game
Lost Brothers
Lost Brothers
Hesitantly recommended for the cave graphics only.
Mostly spoiler free review based on playing the entire game.
This is a walking Sim. You navigate by the usual WASD keys. There is a manual save option (thank you!), and a checkpoint auto-save. You can die (yes, we did hop off the mushrooms more than once), but you will restart where you were. The controller worked fine with it. Adjustments for audio/video are available. You have a map and a compass.
We think anyone who has played Firewatch will compare Lost Brothers to it; that sets a pretty high standard.
– Real player with 8.1 hrs in game
(Early Access Review, as an early access release, you may experience bugs, content, interface and optimization changes. If you are not excited to play the title in its current state & help to support the title to full release by reporting bugs and requesting additional content, you may want to wait for further development)
Two brothers, John & Sam, are headed out on a camping trip to the countryside for a weekend of fun. After parking, they carry their gear through the trails to their chosen camping area. After some idle chit chat, they finally get camp set up. They sit around the campfire enjoying their meal and conversation, after which they retire for the evening. Suddenly John awakens, noticing his younger brother is not sleeping beside him and goes out to see what he is doing. He calls out for him, “Sam, Sam, where are you” getting no reply. Unable to find him, the police are brought in to investigate, never finding a trace of his brother, Sam.
– Real player with 2.6 hrs in game
Sixth Extinction
I really enjoyed the game, it’s very unusual game as the combination of narrative and puzzle is something I have never seen before in such a way.
I enjoyed the different stages and when I started playing, I thought to myself “will all of the game be like this?”.
But I quickly found out the puzzles changed with the narrative and I really enjoyed that!
So a quick list of pros and cons:
PRO:
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Interesting and diverse puzzles, often suprised me
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Satisfying to solve the puzzles
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Really nice mood and fitting graphics
– Real player with 2.7 hrs in game
Just finished the game and… wow. I’m speechless. The end is amazing!
But if the end is amazing, it is also because the game is really well done. Very nice art, well-balanced puzzles, nice sounds, and a very special atmosphere. Really interesting idea to combine puzzles with a story - and what a story…
I really got fascinated and wanted to finish it… and then, the end!
The portrait layout (phone-like) is okay but feels a bit cramped. And because the drawings are so nice, they should take the full screen! It would also help for the immersion. But this is only my taste.
– Real player with 1.9 hrs in game
Free Spirit VR Meditation
Experienced on the Oculus Quest 2
You can view my review & gameplay here: https://youtu.be/H0tCFSIIXAo
This is an about 10 minute long, meditative experience through the Peruvian Andes Mountains. Where you basically teleport up a quick climb, see the scenic views, then sit at a campfire. There’s a narrator saying a prayer to the fire in English. You can also draw during this and then send your painting to the fire. That’s it basically.
Experience is running on the Unreal Engine. I was getting variable frame rates from 90 to frame rates in the 40s fps. The visuals were just okay and something that would be fine in a free to play experience. The ambient sounds were also just okay. While the narration was good and the musical score, that doesn’t exactly amount to a premium experience. There’s only teleport for the locomotion and the locomotion was not smooth (as it was difficult to turn in the direction you wanted).
– Real player with 0.4 hrs in game
Empowering meditative experience, highly recommended! Either if you are a an experienced or beginner meditator.
This 10-15min experience delves you into the visually-stunning site of Machu Pichu, where you follow a trail alongside a beautiful voice that guides you. The sun sets alongside the walk, creating delightful light effects. This visually rich experience guides you to release your fears and envision the life that you want.
Although some people may consider the experience short, the power of this piece stands on the intention you put on it. It is not about quantity of scenarios, it is about your sincerity when setting your intentions in front of the fire, to release what you don´t need and bring about the life that you envision.
– Real player with 0.4 hrs in game
Hitchhiker - A Mystery Game
Philosophical road trip, where the word “trip” might be a part of the word “trippy”. Surreal and thought-provoking, with phenomenal storytelling, it’s definitely worth a playthrough for those who like to ponder on things.
You start as a hitchhiker in someone’s car. There’s little information given on who you are, where are you and, most importantly, why are you there – in that moment. As the ride unfolds, there comes the realization that you’re searching for something – yourself? Missing partner? An event in the past? Lost memories? At first, it’s unclear and seems surreal, as odd conversations with drivers seem to be hinting at something deeper while you try to stay rooted in reality and figure out what exactly happened. As the rides with different, strange companions continue, you’ll eventually find yourself threading on the thin line between dreamlike and real still, however, searching for the answers to this mystery, which in itself is no longer solid…Will you ever find answers? Perhaps strange people, new places, odd clues and lots of philosophical musings will help to point you in the right direction. Or not. In the end, you’ll still get to enjoy one bad-ass road trip showing beautiful scenery of the great United States’ cross-county drive.
– Real player with 6.1 hrs in game
I don’t know what to make of this games storytellers.. the game itself is a laid back low key Indie AA, decent production values. Not the best Indie AA I have ever played but a fair attempt.
I’m really on the fence between a yes and no recommendation.. okay so MASSIVE STORY SPOILER WARNING:
! ### So the story itself is very chilled out, I enjoyed it for the most part.. until you get to the end and you have been doing all this for your dying girlfriend whom you know was cheating on you?? .. WHY THE FLIP DO I CARE IF SHES ALIVE OR DEAD? She cheated.. cheating is a horrific thing and instantly disqualifies her as a valid person.. meaning everything she ever said to me about me, was a lie. So with that in mind.. and note that guy didn’t go and kill them both, which may have been a fun aspect if it was included in the game.. but not only does he not kill them both, but he simps out and goes to her bedside..?! WHO THE FLIP CARES.. DIE ALREADY!.. life isn’t like what these Devs imagine.. ohw you once told someone you loved them and then they cheated on you, let’s all be friends?? Obviously they felt nothing for you or they wouldn’t have cheated! and at that point.. WHO CARES? You died in that second you cheated.. there is no sorry.. the idea of this is horrific.. No.. a hundred times no.. this game while having good points.. just stole the price of it off me.. can’t believe you would write such a weak pathetic character.. compassion?.. where was her compassion while she is taking ** ** *** **** on holiday.. no excuse, this is the modern age, everyone’s got a phone on them, it takes 5 minutes to make a phone call and done.
– Real player with 5.3 hrs in game
Lands of Raynar
Help with rebuilding of the ancient civilization!
Lands of Raynar a first-person RTS in which you take on the role of Karia - one of the last inhabitants of the fallen lands. Together with your numinous companion Ivy and people have an adventure through traces of ancestors.
Explore the world
The game is rich in a plethora of diverse landscapes and its elements. Discover ancient secrets that are hidden in flora, fauna and dark caves of Raynar.
Be vigilant
In the world full of life, you will meet a lot of creatures and people with whom you will have to confront. They will pose a threat to your life or they will be able to help you in tough moments.
Develop your village
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Manage civil buildings to increase the number of the village’s people
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Build defensive structures that will protect from danger from outside the village
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Destroy buildings and admire them when they fall apart realistically with the help of implemented physics
Universe For Sale - Prologue
The prologue of this game is really interesting, I love the atmosphere and the settings are so peculiar and immersive.
The plot seems intriguing, I look forward to the complete game release which I’ll definitely play!
– Real player with 2.0 hrs in game
This is a prologue for the game Universe for Sale. A prologue is like a demo. You might be wondering what the difference is between a prologue and a demo. Not much. Both are ways of promoting interest in the full game. The main difference is that a prologue has its own store page and a demo is on the store page of the full game. A developer could theoretically release the same content as both a demo and a prologue.
This prologue gives an introduction to some of the characters in the full game. The full game might have potential, but the prologue is rather short. You talk to a few people and that’s about it. Thumbs up for the easy achievements though.
– Real player with 1.0 hrs in game
Bright Lights of Svetlov
Виртуальные забавы отправляют нас в самые разные миры и очередной вояж на Марс едва ли вызовет какие-то особенные эмоции. А вот Огни Светлова - внезапно - отправили в мир детства, где все знакомое и родное. И это круто, это вызывает какие-то совершенно новые эмоции, непривычные для игр.
Очень приятно видеть экранизацию советской действительности в самом ее приземленном и обычном виде. Без клишированных камрадов, ушанок и вот этого всего. В общем, сеттинг удался.
И нарратив, кстати, тоже. За свои полтора часа игра успевает рассказать историю, причем делает это неплохо. Приемы подачи сюжета стандартны - но они работают. В какой-то момент ловишь себя на той мысли, что погрузился в это все и на самом деле интересно что будет дальше.
– Real player with 2.0 hrs in game
this game is so well made! i love the vibe. i felt cozy half the game. and i love the sounds of the birds and the wind used outside. it sounds like outside my house. each country got its own local birds. you rarely hear european nature in games. it made the ambience even more wholesome. anyways…
what started happy and cheery ended in tragdedy and i was shocked. especially when i found out that this whole incident is based on a real event i have never known about before this game.
i hope vladimir cholokyan will make more games.
– Real player with 2.0 hrs in game