404Sight

404Sight is a free game made in support of net neutrality. It’s a 3D playground runner influenced by parkour running with the addition of a special ping ability that reveals areas that can speed the player up or slow them down.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,054 reviews

music118 positive mentions

optimization12 negative mentions

The game is free to play, making it accessible to everyone.
It features a fun and fast-paced gameplay style with smooth controls.
The soundtrack is engaging and fits well with the game's theme.

The game is very short, taking only about 30-60 minutes to complete.
There are numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay.
The graphics and level design can feel simplistic and repetitive.

music
191 mentions
62 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchy synthwave soundtrack, which complements the visuals and enhances the overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the variety of tracks that change with each level, although some noted that the music can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
- “The soundtrack complements the visual aesthetic, effectively immersing players into the digital world.”
- “The music is great, the parkour mechanics are fluid and simple to grasp, and the levels are pretty well designed.”
- “With eye-catching graphics, an amazing soundtrack, and an easy-to-run setup, what more does a person need!”
- “The graphics are basic and boring, the music is repetitive - but 1) it's fun and 2) it's free.”
- “The soundtrack starts strong but quickly gets repetitive, which really disappointed me.”
- “Yeah it's free and for a good cause, but it's coded horribly, the music is uninspired, and the platforming is very awkward.”
gameplay
186 mentions
39 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of 404sight is characterized by fast-paced, free-running mechanics that incorporate unique elements like a ping system, allowing players to navigate beautifully crafted environments while avoiding hazards. While the mechanics are generally enjoyable and the visuals are appealing, some players find the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, with a few mechanics poorly explained. Overall, it offers a fun, albeit short experience that could benefit from additional content and refinement.
- “404sight is a fast-paced, free-running platformer that delivers not just fun gameplay but also a clever commentary on internet freedom and net neutrality.”
- “The gameplay is simple but satisfying.”
- “The mechanics are well designed and thought out, and it shows.”
- “There's no story after you start playing, only one style of gameplay, nothing to unlock and no multiplayer.”
- “Some mechanics are interesting, but it's so poorly made that it's just not fun.”
- “The gameplay is agonizingly clunky and clearly has not been playtested correctly, and if it has, then none of the glaringly obvious problems were addressed from those sessions.”
graphics
170 mentions
46 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as clean, minimalist, and vibrant, effectively complementing its futuristic theme and enhancing the overall aesthetic experience. While many players appreciate the unique art style and smooth visuals, some report performance issues, such as stuttering and low frame rates, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the graphics are seen as a strong point of the game, though there are calls for optimization and additional settings to improve performance.
- “The game’s graphics are clean and minimalist, which pairs well with the futuristic, digital feel of the environment.”
- “The art style is striking, with a minimalist yet atmospheric design that enhances the overall theme of the game.”
- “The game beautifully captures the essence of data flow with its vibrant colors and neon aesthetics.”
- “The graphics are very minimalistic, where I kind of like the look of it, but it's also just really bare bones, without much there.”
- “Unfortunately, I think the game might have some sort of optimization issues; when I played this on my desktop, it wasn't running well at all unless I toned the graphics way down, and at that point it looked more like a bad flash game than anything else.”
- “The graphics are poor and the game is slow almost no matter what, partially a result of the controls.”
story
73 mentions
15 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely considered minimal and underdeveloped, with many players noting its forgettable nature and lack of depth. While some appreciate the attempt to incorporate themes of net neutrality, the execution is often seen as weak, with vague plot points and an abrupt ending. Overall, the focus remains primarily on gameplay rather than storytelling, leaving players wanting more narrative substance.
- “Fun game not too hard and good storyline :)”
- “404sight is a runner that uses the issue of internet neutrality as its core story.”
- “It's also very smart, adding the theme of net neutrality into the gameplay and storyline, as well as some fantastic visual effects, such as the pixelation when the player is hit by a lag spike or falls off the track.”
- “The story is forgettable.”
- “The story is minimal, a minor exposition when the game starts, and a short cutscene when you finish it.”
- “The game's story desperately needs fleshing out, as currently it feels more slapped on than anything.”
optimization
35 mentions
14 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
34 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting lag, stuttering, and poor performance even on low settings. While a few users noted smooth performance on their systems, the overall consensus highlights severe optimization issues that detract from the gameplay experience, making it difficult to recommend until these problems are addressed.
- “Despite some comments, this game runs smoothly on my system.”
- “It is also very well optimized, so even running at the max setting, it looks incredible, all while running smoothly.”
- “Apart from the optimization issue (have to turn everything to low to play correctly with a decent config), this game is awesome.”
- “This issue is compounded by certain technical limitations that occasionally result in lag or stuttering, hindering the fluidity that the game's concept is built upon.”
- “I want to like this game, but unfortunately, the optimization of the game is just awful.”
- “Unfortunately, I think the game might have some sort of optimization issues; when I played this on my desktop, it wasn't running well at all unless I toned the graphics way down, and at that point it looked more like a bad flash game than anything else.”
stability
34 mentions
9 % positive mentions
-6 % neutral mentions
97 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its numerous glitches and bugs, which significantly impact the overall experience. While some players find it entertaining and worth the low price, many report issues such as unresponsive menus, character deaths without respawn, and various technical problems that detract from gameplay. Despite occasional patches, the stability remains a major concern, with players urging for further improvements.
- “If your system can run it bug-free, I highly recommend it.”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches, making for a seamless experience.”
- “I've played for hours without encountering any issues; the stability is impressive.”
- “Oh, the glitches are just tremendous, folks.”
- “However, there are a lot of glitches in this game.”
- “It's a nice game, but there are a lot of glitches.”
replayability
16 mentions
19 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players noting limited value due to its short playtime and lack of significant changes in experience upon replay. However, others appreciate features like leaderboard challenges and different gameplay perspectives that enhance replayability. While some find it fun and worth revisiting, many agree that it ultimately lacks depth for extended play.
- “It's well-made, doesn't feel linear, and has decent replayability.”
- “Fun, short, lots of replayability, solid short game.”
- “Each level has multiple ways of completing it, allowing for replayability.”
- “The game has no replay value, though it’s worth giving a try since it’s free.”
- “Relatively short playtime, with limited replay value.”
- “The game feels fine but it's lacking replay value.”
grinding
10 mentions
10 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game can be quite tedious, with players noting it often feels long and repetitive. While some elements attempt to alleviate the monotony, many still find themselves frustrated by the lack of engaging mechanics to motivate continued play. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game.
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “It was starting to feel a bit tedious by the end.”
atmosphere
7 mentions
71 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a striking minimalist art style and vibrant visuals that create an immersive, otherworldly experience. The combination of electronic soundscapes and a techno-themed soundtrack enhances the overall mood, drawing players into a cybernetic journey reminiscent of classic titles like Tron. While some comparisons highlight its shortcomings in platforming and speed, the overall ambiance remains a strong point of appreciation among players.
- “The art style is striking, with a minimalist yet atmospheric design that enhances the overall theme of the game.”
- “The visuals, punctuated by bursts of light and color, create an otherworldly atmosphere that immerses players into a cybernetic journey.”
- “The visuals, punctuated by bursts of light and color, create an otherworldly atmosphere that immerses players in a cybernetic journey.”
- “The audio design enhances the digital atmosphere, combining electronic soundscapes with rhythmic beats.”
humor
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "404 Sight" is characterized by its clever and visually amusing take on internet errors, making navigation both entertaining and challenging. Players appreciate the game's lighthearted approach, with many finding it funny and engaging, particularly in its parkour mechanics and achievement hunting. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with gameplay, creating a unique and enjoyable experience.
- “404 sight: a visually hilarious adventure where you're better at navigating internet errors than actual paths.”
- “A very clean and funny parkour game, also great for achievement hunters.”
- “Very funny and new gameplay!”
monetization
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is highly praised, as it is completely free with no DLC or microtransactions, providing a straightforward and enjoyable experience without the pitfalls of freemium features.
- “Yes, I found a free game on Steam that looked really good and included no freemium features (microtransactions).”
- “And best of all, it's completely free, without DLC or microtransaction crap.”
- “Yeah, I saw a free game on Steam and it looked really good and included no freemium features (microtransactions).”
character development
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
While the narrative is engaging, some players feel that the character development and background lore are lacking, leaving them wanting more depth in the characters' stories.
- “Additionally, while the narrative is compelling, it might leave some players wanting more in terms of character development and background lore.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack the depth needed to make their journeys truly engaging.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, which diminished my overall investment in the story.”
emotional
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the frustration players feel when experiencing unexpected mechanics, such as losing bandwidth mid-air after jumping over an inhibitor, which can disrupt their gameplay and immersion.