21 Days

About

21 Days is a single player simulation game. It was developed by 21daysgame and was released on June 16, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"21 Days" is a simulation adventure game that places you in the shoes of Mohammed Shenu, a Syrian refugee seeking safety in Western Europe. With only 21 days to manage money, time, hunger, and mental status, you must navigate a foreign society and earn enough to help your family escape. The game provides a sobering look into the struggles faced by refugees, with the faint hope of reuniting with loved ones driving your journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

emotional6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game provides an interesting and empathetic look at the struggles faced by refugees, effectively conveying the protagonist's desperation and daily challenges.
It features a compelling narrative that encourages players to engage with the difficult choices refugees must make, making it a thought-provoking experience.
Despite its simplicity, the game manages to surprise players with its depth and emotional weight, making it a worthwhile experience for those interested in storytelling.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks engaging mechanics, leading to frustration rather than immersion in the refugee experience.
The soundtrack is often described as annoying and repetitive, detracting from the overall experience of the game.
Many players feel that the game fails to deliver a truly impactful emotional connection, with some criticizing its linearity and lack of meaningful choices.

story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The story of "21 Days" centers on a Muslim refugee navigating the challenges of seeking asylum in the U.S. amidst the backdrop of the Syrian war, aiming to deliver a political statement through its narrative. While some players appreciate its potential for storytelling and educational use, many criticize the emotional flatness and low production quality, suggesting that it fails to authentically represent the refugee experience. Overall, the game is seen as a mixed bag, appealing to those interested in narrative-driven gameplay but lacking in emotional depth and realism.
- “21 Days is a good role-playing game that tells the story of a Muslim trying to find refuge in the hostile environment of the United States while fleeing the war in Syria.”
- “This gave me a very interesting feeling and I was fascinated by the story.”
- “Presentation is low resolution and deliberately bland as is the sound and interface which stay out of the way of the story.”
- “Instead, the story feels a bit bland with extremely muted emotions.”
- “But this story is told in the most unemotional, flat way possible.”
- “Portrayal of Islam in this game is rather misleading; it seems like a game made just to culturally appropriate people and give a false story about migrants.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay is primarily a time management style that initially appears easy but proves to be quite challenging. However, many players find it lacking in depth, describing it as a bland and repetitive experience reminiscent of a walking simulator, with limited strategic elements and no support for mouse or controller inputs. Overall, the gameplay fails to engage effectively, leading to a sense of tedium rather than enjoyment.
- “The premise of the gameplay seems like it will be 'easy' -- literally a time management gameplay style -- but it's actually rather challenging.”
- “Other games have managed to build tedium or frustration into the gameplay for good effect and still keep it engaging, but this game just doesn't have gameplay.”
- “It's basically a walking sim, so don't expect a lot of strategy - the eating/working mechanics are similar to Always Sometimes Monsters.”
- “The gameplay is purposefully repetitive; I get it.”
- “As for the gameplay itself, it's rather bland and boring, and there is no mouse/controller support.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the soundtrack for its emotional impact, while others find it repetitive and annoying due to the limited number of tracks. Many users reported that the main theme overplays, leading to frustration and the decision to mute the game entirely. Overall, the soundtrack elicits strong reactions, both positive and negative.
- “The soundtrack is something that almost made me have an 'allahu akbar' moment in my head.”
- “This game is amazing! Where can I download the soundtrack?”
- “The music adds a lovely touch to the experience, enhancing the emotional impact of the game.”
- “There came a point where I had to mute the game because I couldn’t stand the music anymore.”
- “The soundtrack gets really annoying after a few minutes, so I just muted it.”
- “The game pretty much has only 2 songs in the whole game, which makes the main theme overplay itself throughout the game and probably kills your ears in the process.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, the emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of depth and connection to characters, with comparisons to "Papers, Please" highlighting its failure to evoke empathy. While some players found moments of emotional resonance in the daily letters, many felt that the storytelling was flat and simplistic, ultimately diminishing the emotional impact.
- “I just created a let's play on this game and I got very emotional reading the daily letters!”
- “While 'Papers, Please' leaves you actually feeling and empathizing with the character, you never really get a chance to make an emotional connection to these characters.”
- “Unfortunately, nothing ever really gets developed enough to feel emotional.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The graphics are described as old-school, which may appeal to fans of storytelling games but could frustrate those who prioritize modern visuals and audio quality. Overall, the aesthetic choice may limit its appeal to a broader audience.
- “The graphics are beautifully crafted, capturing a unique art style that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The visual design is stunning, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the game world to life.”
- “The graphics create an immersive atmosphere, making every scene feel alive and engaging.”
- “I would recommend this to players who enjoy storytelling games, but if you think that graphics and audio quality are the most important aspects, then maybe this isn't the game for you.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While the game offers numerous decisions and multiple endings, many players feel that its linearity diminishes replayability, as changes in choices do not significantly alter the overall experience.
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players note that the grinding aspect of the game effectively reflects the struggles of a refugee, emphasizing the relentless effort required to build a new life amidst scarcity and adversity. This repetitive gameplay serves to immerse players in the harsh realities of survival in a challenging environment.
- “Through a method of day after day of grinding attrition, the game conveys the quiet desperation of an average refugee trying to build a new life out of ashes in a frequently arbitrary and hostile environment with limited time and very limited resources.”