Abode
- December 1, 2016
- Overflow
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Abode" is a VR-exclusive comedy action game that offers both multi-player and single-player options, with striking graphics but can be buggy. As a vigilant detective, explore and investigate an abandoned apartment, repair broken equipment, and utilize items to unveil secrets in a 1-hour gameplay. The game boasts a masterful atmosphere that enhances the investigative experience.
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox
Reviews
- Clever puzzles that are engaging and enjoyable, providing a satisfying experience.
- Well-designed environment with good graphics and a fun atmosphere, enhancing immersion.
- Short but sweet gameplay, making it a great introduction to VR escape room games.
- Very short playtime, typically around 30-90 minutes, which may not justify the price for some players.
- Physics and controls can be glitchy, leading to frustrating moments where items may become unreachable.
- Lacks a compelling storyline or conclusion, leaving some players feeling unsatisfied with the ending.
- graphics60 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the simple yet effective art style that enhances the immersive experience. While some reviews note that the graphics may lack detail, they fit the game's aesthetic and do not detract from the overall enjoyment, particularly in relation to the puzzles. Overall, the visuals are described as crisp and stylized, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and interaction.
“The graphics are amazing (simple, but super sharp).”
“Great puzzles, great visuals, and the right amount of difficulty.”
“Graphics, sound, control, and overall immersion is great.”
“The graphics were somewhat low-detail, but fit the aesthetic of the game as a whole, and were simple enough that I never got tripped up by illegible or small text while trying to solve a puzzle--it helps that the developers had the foresight to shy away from anything involving very small text or intricate details.”
“Graphics are a bit lacking, but it makes up for it in puzzles.”
“It is simple, graphically, but it is aimed just right (in terms of the puzzles) as an escape room.”
- gameplay38 mentions
- 11 % positive mentions
- 82 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally engaging and well-designed, featuring clever puzzles and effective use of VR mechanics, making it suitable for beginners. However, many users note the short playtime of around 30-120 minutes and express concerns about the pricing, suggesting it may not offer sufficient value for those seeking longer experiences. While the game is polished and visually appealing, some outdated mechanics and bugs detract from the overall experience.
“The game is polished, looks great and has entertaining gameplay - it is well worth a buy if you own a VR headset.”
“For about £7 you can get around an hour of gameplay, but I think it is worth it as it is very engaging, plus it's fun since it is VR.”
“The puzzles/clues weren't too difficult to pick up on, and the mechanics of the game worked well.”
“It also has several outdated mechanics.”
“My only complaint is the price; I think $10 is too much for the 45 minutes of gameplay, and I cannot justify keeping it and never playing it again.”
“Very clever escape the room game with some fun elements, but at only 30-45 minutes of gameplay, it is not worth $10.”
- story28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 36 % negative mentions
The game is criticized for its lack of a narrative, with reviewers noting the absence of characters, dialogue, and a cohesive storyline, which detracts from the overall experience. While the puzzles are engaging, many players express a desire for a more developed backstory and a sense of purpose behind their actions. Overall, the consensus is that the game would benefit from a stronger narrative element, similar to the developer's previous title, "Conductor."
“Only thing I could wish for is a backstory about where you are, but it's full of interesting puzzles nonetheless!”
“And I really hope they do a sequel; yes, I'm aware of 'Conductor', but a sequel that brings a little more story to this hip jazzy world would be most welcome.”
“Makes me want to see a story game from this developer.”
“No story at all, no characters, no dialogues.”
“The puzzles were all fine, but there didn't appear to be any reason for doing any of it - it lacks any storyline, and also lacks a conclusion.”
“There's no story, which is a bit of a shame.”
- stability26 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is generally entertaining but suffers from various bugs and physics glitches, which can occasionally disrupt gameplay and cause important objects to become lost or misplaced. While some players find these issues manageable and still enjoy the experience, others note that the game's stability is below modern standards, making it feel clunky and somewhat overpriced for its short duration. Overall, players should be prepared for a few frustrating moments due to these stability concerns.
“To sum it up, this escape room is fun, but really buggy compared to what is made today.”
“Only complaint is that physics glitches can cause certain important objects to fly across the room or get lost.”
“It's pretty good, but be aware that there are some progression blocking glitches.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 82 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, stylish visuals, and cohesive audio design, creating a pleasant and engaging environment. Reviewers highlight the game's fun and polished atmosphere, which complements the clever and varied puzzles, making it a worthwhile experience despite its short length. Overall, the non-creepy ambiance adds to the enjoyment, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The atmosphere is great, the art has style, and the puzzles are good.”
“The atmosphere/environment is incredibly immersive.”
“It has a few decent puzzles and the atmosphere of the game is really great; the stylized visuals and the ambient audio worked together to create a fairly cohesive tone to the limited world.”
“A fun but short puzzle game; I managed to beat it in around half an hour, but despite the short length, it was definitely worth playing for its sense of atmosphere.”
“I also appreciate that it's a non-creepy atmosphere.”
- music22 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its immersive quality, particularly through the use of an in-world record player that allows players to select and control the volume of tracks. The jazzy soundtrack enhances the futuristic detective-noir atmosphere, although one of the music discs received mixed feedback for being unusual. Overall, the combination of engaging music and appealing graphics contributes positively to the gaming experience.
“I love how the music is handled through an in-world record player.”
“One of my favorite features was the record player, as it lets you choose from a couple of songs and then set the volume.”
“The third music disc though--- was just weird.”
“Music is what you hear in the trailers and can be played on the record player.”
“Combined with the jazzy music, it felt like a futuristic detective-noir setting, which totally fits the platform and gameplay.”
- replayability14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has limited replayability, which is typical for the escape room genre. Once completed, it offers little incentive for solo players to revisit, though it may serve as a good introduction to VR for friends and family. Players generally feel they received good value for the experience, despite its short duration of 45 minutes to an hour.
“Just don't expect much replayability if you don't; on sale, the price is still worth it easily.”
“Probably not much replay value, but that's inherent in the genre.”
“I don't think the game has much replayability, but I don't know of an escape room that does.”
“If I had to appraise this game, I would value it at $7.23, just because there isn't any replayability once it's solved and it is short.”
“The full game takes about 45 minutes to an hour to complete and doesn't have too much replayability, but I definitely feel that I got my money's worth with Abode.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find the ending amusing and believe it will resonate with friends, others feel it may be offensive to some audiences. Additionally, certain jokes may not land for everyone, leading to a recommendation with reservations. Suggestions for improvement include making hints optional and incorporating more humorous quotes.
“Perhaps the hints could be optional and replaced with funny quotes or something.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional response to the game, with some experiencing discomfort from the teleportation movement, while others find a sense of accomplishment and intelligence as they progress, highlighting a mix of frustration and satisfaction.
“Abode made me feel stupid until I felt smart!”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that while grinding is a common element in escape room games, it is generally well-balanced and doesn't become tedious, making it a manageable aspect of the gameplay. However, potential buyers should consider this factor when evaluating the game's value at its listed price.
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, while there are areas for improvement in optimization, it does not significantly detract from the overall gaming experience.
“Some things could be optimized, but it doesn't take away too much from the experience.”
