A Guidebook of Babel
- August 2, 2023
- StarryStarry
"A Guidebook of Babel" is a story-adventure game where players embark on a rebirth journey on the mysterious spaceship Babel. Using a Memory Extractor, your memories are erased before launching you into the afterlife with a cloud cannon. The game features four chapters of time-travel, puzzle-solving, and subtle manipulation of history to change the future of Babel. Explore various locations, meet eccentric characters, and uncover the secrets of this intriguing world.
Reviews
- The game features a unique storytelling experience with engaging characters and a whimsical art style that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative.
- Puzzles are well-designed and intuitive, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult, complemented by a helpful hint system.
- The narrative effectively explores heavy themes such as death and love, leaving players with a sense of warmth and reflection by the end.
- Players may find themselves frequently stuck due to the game's complexity and reliance on minor details, which can lead to frustration.
- The butterfly effect mechanic can be confusing, making it difficult to understand how past actions influence future events, potentially requiring external guides.
- Some characters and plot points feel underdeveloped, leading to a lack of depth in certain storylines and leaving players wanting more clarity.
- story29 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its unique and emotional narrative, featuring a rich tapestry of characters with their own backstories that enhance immersion. Players appreciate the ability to alter events, creating a dynamic experience that intertwines puzzle-solving with storytelling. Overall, the blend of humor and tragedy, along with engaging writing and relatable characters, makes the story a standout aspect of the game.
“The game's narrative is expertly woven, with a main storyline that's both engaging and emotional.”
“But it's not just the main story - every character you meet has their own rich backstory and motivations, making the world feel incredibly immersive and real.”
“The story was so beautiful that I genuinely cried when I got to the ending.”
“A sad story, presented and drawn in a comical way.”
“Altering the storyline back and forth is quite brain-draining, but still comprehensible.”
“There are a few minor drawbacks, such as one or two story chains in the mid-game that extend a bit long, requiring several new small scenes, which slightly weakens the positive feedback after solving them.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by unique mechanics, such as the "butterfly effect" and timeline rewriting, which add depth and challenge to the experience. Players appreciate the clever writing and immersive storytelling, alongside well-implemented note-taking and deduction features that enhance problem-solving without being overly prescriptive. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of puzzles, engaging characters, and smooth mechanics, making it accessible and enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
“I loved the characters, the art, the music, and all of the gameplay mechanics.”
“It's a cute puzzle game and the core feature of 'rewriting the timeline' is a satisfying mechanic.”
“The note-taking/deduction mechanic is also well implemented; if you're on a roll and don't need any help, you don't have to engage with that at all, but if you get stuck, those note/deduction pages are there to not blatantly say what to do next but allow you to literally piece together a plan to go forward.”
“And the fabled 'butterfly effect' mechanic makes everything messier, not easier.”
“I wish some of the mechanics were more utilized, but the ending made this strange journey worth it in the end.”
“The gameplay:”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a cute and simple art style that effectively contrasts with its heavier themes of death and love. Players appreciate the visually pleasing artwork, which is both expressive and emotionally resonant, enhancing the quirky yet profound narrative. Overall, the combination of charming visuals and engaging music contributes to a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.
“While the art style of 'A Guidebook of Babel' is cute and casual, under the cover, the game is handling such a heavy topic - death and love.”
“The artwork, albeit simple, is really pleasing to the eye and conveys enough emotions to give the story a quirky and funny side while also having an extremely interesting story that can take a very serious turn once you've delved deep enough into the characters' lore.”
“Absolutely adored this unique game whose content is heavier than the art style would lead you to believe.”
“While the art style of the game is cute and casual, it handles such a heavy topic - death and love.”
“For a game with such a cute art style, the graphics do not match the depth of the content.”
“The artwork, albeit simple, lacks the detail needed to fully convey the emotional weight of the story.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the whimsical and mysterious atmosphere, complementing the engaging gameplay and art style. Reviewers appreciate the soundtrack's expressiveness, noting that it significantly contributes to the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is equally impressive, perfectly capturing the game's whimsical and mysterious atmosphere.”
“A unique multiple approaches puzzler with great art style and music.”
“I loved the characters, the art, the music, and all of the gameplay mechanics.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively balances humor with emotional depth, providing a warm and engaging experience. Its clever writing and unique mechanics elicit genuine laughter, while the simple yet pleasing artwork enhances the quirky and funny elements of the story, which can also take serious turns as players explore the characters' lore.
“With a perfect portion of humor along the journey, the game moves you but won't make you sad, leaving you with warmth in your heart.”
“The game's unique mechanics and clever writing will have you thinking outside the box and laughing out loud.”
“The artwork, albeit simple, is really pleasing to the eye and conveys enough emotions to give the story a quirky and funny side while also having an extremely interesting story that can take a very serious turn once you've delved deep enough into the characters' lore.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a well-crafted narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant, often eliciting strong feelings from players. Many users highlight its touching story, with some expressing that it moved them to tears, indicating a profound emotional impact.
“The game's narrative is expertly woven, with a main storyline that's both engaging and emotional.”
“Very cute game with a touching story.”
“10/10, would cry again.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a whimsical and mysterious tone, enhanced by an impressive soundtrack that complements the overall experience.
“The soundtrack is equally impressive, perfectly capturing the game's whimsical and mysterious atmosphere.”
“The game's environment is richly detailed, immersing players in a world that feels alive and enchanting.”
“Every corner of the game is filled with ambient sounds that enhance the overall atmosphere, making exploration a truly captivating experience.”