A Date in the Park
- November 26, 2014
- Cloak and Dagger Games
Get on itch.io Store"A Date in the Park" is a charming short-length indie game that won Best Short Game at the AGS Awards in 2014. The game tells the story of a blind date that takes an unexpected turn in a park. With its unique art style and intriguing narrative, "A Date in the Park" offers a memorable and engaging experience for players.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- A Date in the Park is a short, free point-and-click adventure that offers an interesting narrative and a unique twist at the end.
- The game has a charming atmosphere with minimalist sound design and a nostalgic 90s vibe, making it a relaxing experience.
- It's easy to complete, making it appealing for achievement hunters, and can be finished in about 45 minutes to an hour.
- The game is extremely short and lacks depth, leaving players wanting more in terms of story and puzzles.
- Visuals are considered amateurish and the gameplay is quite linear, with minimal interactivity and few characters to engage with.
- The ending is underwhelming and may leave players confused, as it lacks a satisfying resolution or multiple endings.
- story18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is brief and linear, revolving around a simple premise involving a character named Lou and his date with a woman named Catarina in Portugal. While some players found the narrative interesting and worth the short playtime, others criticized it for being thin and lacking depth, leaving them wanting more. Overall, it appeals primarily to fans of point-and-click games, though its simplicity and lack of multiple endings may not satisfy all players.
“It's free and short enough you could beat it over a cup of coffee, and the story, brief as it is, is interesting enough I think it's worth a look.”
“I hope the developer is planning on making a similar game and story in the future but in a full-length title and not just a quick journey like this one was.”
“To sum up: it’s not a point-and-click game for everyone, but fans of the genre will most likely relax and enjoy the story.”
“The setting, storytelling, and lack of music in the game make me feel uncomfortable while playing.”
“I thought the story was very poor.”
“In fact, the story, as a whole, is very thin.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay features basic adventure game mechanics with simplistic graphics and a short narrative, yet it remains engaging, especially for fans of the genre. It evokes a nostalgic 90s atmosphere reminiscent of classic titles, making it a worthwhile experience, particularly since it is free. However, players seeking a more refined alternative might consider "Heroine's Quest: The Herald of Ragnarok."
“The game has the basic mechanics of an adventure game, simplistic graphics, and a short story, but it is still very interesting in the end. Since it's free, it's worth the time if you enjoy this kind of story and mechanics.”
“The gameplay reminds me a little of Gabriel Knight II and Dink Smallwood; it definitely has a 90’s atmosphere to it.”
“If you want something mechanically similar but better, and free as well, look no further than Heroine's Quest: The Herald of Ragnarok available on Steam.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are described as simplistic and somewhat amateurish, with a consistent visual style that some players may find unappealing. Despite these shortcomings, the graphics do not detract significantly from the overall experience, especially considering the game's free-to-play nature and engaging story.
“A classic type of point-and-click adventure with an interesting take on graphics!”
“The game has the basic mechanics of an adventure game, simplistic graphics, and a short story, but it is still very interesting in the end. Since it's free, it's worth the time if you like this kind of story and mechanics.”
“Visually, a date in the park looks amateurish at best, perhaps downright ugly, but at least the visuals are kept consistent throughout the game, so for me that was not a problem.”
- music2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's music is notably sparse during gameplay, contributing to an unsettling atmosphere, while the credits feature a standout track that is well-received.
“The credits music is absolutely fabulous.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere.”
“Each track is beautifully composed and enhances the overall experience.”
“The setting, storytelling, and lack of music in the game make me feel uncomfortable while playing.”
“The music is repetitive and fails to enhance the overall experience.”
“I found the soundtrack to be bland and uninspired, which detracted from the game's atmosphere.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its ability to elicit laughter, particularly during the ending and through playful interactions, such as naming a small ducky, which leads to amusing dialogues. Overall, players find the comedic elements to be a significant source of enjoyment.
“Seriously, the end made me laugh.”
“Probably the most fun you can get out of the game is when you are given the chance to name a small duck, as it can result in some funny dialogues depending on how you name it.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its short yet captivating quality, evoking a nostalgic 90s vibe reminiscent of classic titles like Gabriel Knight II and Dink Smallwood. Players appreciate the unique and surreal experience, likening it to a strange walk in the park that culminates in an unexpected ending.
“Short and brilliant, really nice atmosphere, strange walk in the park with an unexpected ending.”
“The gameplay reminds me a little of Gabriel Knight II and Dink Smallwood; it definitely has a 90’s atmosphere to it.”
