9.03m
- November 20, 2013
- SpaceBudgie
- 13h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"9.03m" is a single-player Point and Click art/empathy game with excellent mechanics, visuals, and music. The game is set on Baker Beach in San Francisco, where debris from the 2011 Japanese tsunami has washed ashore. The goal is to find the butterflies, serving as a reminder of the individuals behind the disaster's death toll. The game originated as a final year university project aiming to affect the player emotionally.
Windows
Reviews
- 9.03m is a beautifully crafted tribute to the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, evoking deep emotions through its simple yet poignant storytelling.
- The game's art style and soundtrack create a serene atmosphere that enhances the reflective experience, making it a unique and touching journey.
- With all proceeds going to charity, purchasing 9.03m not only supports a good cause but also allows players to engage with a meaningful narrative about loss and remembrance.
- The gameplay is extremely short, lasting only about 10-15 minutes, which may leave some players feeling unsatisfied or wanting more content.
- As a walking simulator, the game lacks traditional gameplay mechanics, which may not appeal to those looking for a more interactive or challenging experience.
- Some players found the emotional impact to be lacking or overly simplistic, feeling that the game did not fully convey the gravity of the tragedy it aims to memorialize.
- emotional83 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game "9.03m" is widely regarded as a deeply emotional experience, serving as a poignant tribute to the victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Players describe it as a touching and immersive journey that evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears, despite its brief duration of around 12-20 minutes. While some critiques mention its simplicity and lack of traditional gameplay, the overall sentiment highlights its powerful emotional impact and the meaningful message it conveys.
“9.03m is a truly exceptional and emotionally resonant gaming experience that leaves a lasting impact.”
“This game is a poignant and heartwarming tribute to the human spirit, resilience, and the importance of remembrance.”
“9.03m is an experience, a touching, beautiful experience that will move you to the core.”
- music66 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in [i]9.03m[/i] is widely praised for its emotional depth and beautiful piano composition, which effectively enhances the game's themes of loss and remembrance. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack could have been more extensive, the existing music is described as calming, reflective, and integral to the overall experience, creating a poignant atmosphere that resonates with players. Overall, the combination of evocative music and minimalistic visuals contributes significantly to the game's artistic impact.
“The music is a large piece of the experience, although not as long as I would have liked, and builds the atmosphere nicely.”
“The music is phenomenally gorgeous, and if you've any heart in you, its strings will be plucked in playing this game.”
“Music is always an integral part of how one experiences any given media, but in the particular case of 9.03, I felt that the incredibly moving, reflective and gentle piano soundtrack was the defining point of the game.”
“The music is inoffensive, but dull.”
“It's a ten-minute experiment with five seconds of interaction: stretching it out and putting sad piano music over it doesn't make it better.”
“Nope sorry, no emotions on this one.. however the graphics, storytelling, music, and setting were spectacular... just no real impact on the emotion side....”
- graphics59 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as beautiful and stylized, with a simplistic art style that effectively conveys its themes. While many reviewers appreciate the visual aesthetics and the emotional atmosphere they create, some criticize the graphics for being too fuzzy, dark, or lacking clarity, which can hinder gameplay. Overall, the visuals are seen as more of an artistic expression than a technical achievement, serving the game's reflective narrative rather than aiming for high-end graphical fidelity.
“A fun and imaginative game full of pleasant visual aesthetics.”
“Beautiful graphics, music, and scenery.”
“The simple graphics and gentle music do a wonderful job of conveying the tragic losses, reminding you that those losses were more than just numbers; they were people with lives of their own.”
“The graphics can feel a bit too fuzzy at times.”
“I also ran into a number of graphical issues that are inexcusable in a game with a run-time of about 10-20 minutes, such as low draw distance and, again, especially bearing in mind the length of the game, very low resolution models and textures.”
“In terms of graphics and gameplay, it is quite subpar.”
- story51 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story in the game is described as a poignant and emotional experience, often conveyed through minimalistic visuals and music rather than traditional narrative methods. While some players appreciate its artistic approach and the depth of its themes, others criticize its linearity and lack of interactivity, suggesting it functions more as a short visual poem than a conventional game. Overall, it resonates deeply with those open to its unique storytelling style, particularly in its tribute to the victims of the 2011 tsunami in Japan.
“The story was short but heavy, and how the developers managed to convey their message was beautifully done.”
“9.03m is a touching experience and definitely among the top of my list; I recommend it to everyone wishing to experience a story, rather than a game.”
“The game is only 12-15 minutes long, but that's all it needs to tell a heart-wrenching story and pay tribute to the victims of the 2011 tsunami in Japan.”
“That said, as both a game and a means of telling a story, this just doesn't do its job well.”
“There is no gameplay, story, or anything.”
“But this isn’t a game, or a story, or even a tribute.”
- gameplay46 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of '9.03m' is minimal and primarily consists of simple navigation and object examination, often described as more of an interactive slideshow than a traditional game. With a total playtime of around 15-30 minutes, it lacks conventional gameplay mechanics and is focused on evoking emotional responses rather than providing engaging gameplay. While some players appreciate its tranquil atmosphere and poignant message, many find the gameplay to be bland and repetitive, making it a unique experience that may not appeal to those seeking traditional gaming challenges.
“The game steps back from most mechanics and extra audio and visual input so that you can focus on what it's trying to get across.”
“Tranquility and simplicity were the main points of the little gameplay there was, and I found it intriguing and calming.”
“Space Budgie made a game with a specific point and managed to do in 15 minutes what some games can't do in over 12 or 13 hours of gameplay.”
“The length of the game isn't long to the point where it gets boring and repetitive, but it is extremely short, racking up around 30 minutes of total gameplay (at most).”
“In terms of actual gameplay, '9.03m' is essentially a slideshow which you are holding 'W' to navigate.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay does not support this in the slightest.”
- atmosphere19 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as beautiful, calming, and deeply immersive, often evoking feelings of sorrow and reflection. While some players appreciate the minimalistic and artsy approach, others find the slow pace and lack of narrative depth frustrating. Overall, the music and visual aesthetics significantly enhance the experience, making it a unique atmospheric journey despite its brevity and simplicity.
“The music is a large piece of the experience, although not as long as I would have liked, and builds the atmosphere nicely.”
“Wandering around a lonely beach, soaking up the atmosphere and 'releasing' lost souls.”
“It adopts a neat aesthetic which seeps sorrow and beauty and nice sound effects of the ocean to help with the soothing atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is definitely gloomy and your character moves rather slowly, which can be boring and is a pet peeve of many people.”
“I would have wished to read something about their background, where they come from and who they were; maybe some more personal stuff in descriptions - the atmosphere and credibility would have improved on a large scale!”
“The purpose of the game is to sweep you away in the atmosphere while being artsy, but the subject matter is not abstract enough to be fascinating and not concrete enough to be profound.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a significant divide in perceptions of character development, with some users expressing disappointment and stating that there is "absolutely zero character development," while others highlight themes of humanization and empathy. Overall, the consensus leans towards a lack of meaningful growth or depth in the characters.
“The character development in this game is truly remarkable, allowing players to form deep emotional connections with the characters.”
“I love how the game humanizes its characters, making their struggles and growth feel relatable and impactful.”
“The emphasis on empathy throughout the character arcs adds a layer of depth that enhances the overall storytelling experience.”
“There was absolutely zero character development.”
“I keep seeing the words humanize, empathy, and character development.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While 9.03m may not offer significant complexity or high replay value, its simplicity effectively resonates with players on an emotional level, enhancing the overall experience.
“Where it lacks in complexity or replay value, 9.03m's simplicity allows for an appeal to the player's emotions.”
