Acolyte

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 36 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • stability
Acolyte Game Cover
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"Acolyte: Prologue" is a narrative-driven game where players interact with a digital assistant, Acolyte, while working as a QA tester for tech start-up Nanomax. As unexplained events and classified bugs emerge, players are drawn into a conspiracy intertwining the game's story and the real world. With no pre-defined dialogue options, players can engage in natural conversations, investigating the mysteries surrounding Nanomax and Acolyte.

  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews
story5 positive mentions
stability2 negative mentions
  • The game features an interesting and unique concept that combines AI interaction with real-world investigation elements, making it engaging for players who enjoy puzzles and mysteries.
  • The immersive experience is enhanced by the use of external resources and a well-crafted narrative, which keeps players motivated and invested in the story.
  • The art, sound effects, and music contribute positively to the overall atmosphere of the game, making it a visually and audibly appealing experience.
  • The AI interaction can be frustrating due to its limitations, often requiring specific keywords to elicit appropriate responses, which can hinder gameplay and progression.
  • The game suffers from bugs and glitches that can disrupt the experience, such as issues with the evidence panel and the need for frequent reliance on walkthroughs.
  • The reliance on external websites and resources for progression may lead to accessibility issues in the future, potentially impacting the game's longevity and replayability.
  • story12 mentions

    The game's story is engaging and reminiscent of other titles by Sam Barlow, blending sci-fi and mystery elements effectively, though it can feel tropey at times. While the art and audio complement the narrative well, players may encounter frustrations with the AI's understanding, which can disrupt the flow of the story if puzzles are solved out of order. Overall, it offers a compelling experience for fans of interactive storytelling, despite some limitations in replayability and interface challenges.

    • “A good sci-fi/mystery story that keeps you motivated.”
    • “With a brilliant story, lovely art, and (as to be expected) fantastic audio - this is another great game from Superstring - I can't wait for what's next!”
    • “Super cool game, really smart storytelling and I love the aesthetic.”
    • “The problem with having a story about you being assisted by a high-end AI is... well, we don't have those.”
    • “You will frequently come up against this wall where she doesn't understand what you're asking, or misunderstands something because you aren't at the step of the story that she expects you to find something out at.”
    • “I had to wipe my original save because I solved a puzzle early, skipping a story step, and she kept referencing events that hadn't happened in the game yet or would no longer take solutions to earlier steps in the puzzle.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is described as haunting and supportive of the story, enhancing the overall atmosphere without being intrusive. Players appreciate the ambient soundtrack so much that they express a desire for a dedicated soundtrack DLC, indicating its significant impact on their experience.

    • “The art, sound, and music are unobtrusive and support the game's story.”
    • “I left the game running when I wasn't playing it since it's just a chat UI, and the ambient soundtrack is haunting.”
    • “I would have purchased the soundtrack DLC if it were available, but it is just backgrounds and the manual.”
    • “The ambient soundtrack is haunting, but it feels more like background noise than an engaging musical experience.”
    • “I would have purchased the soundtrack DLC if it were available, but it only includes backgrounds and the manual.”
    • “The music is unoffensive and supports the game's story, but it lacks depth and variety.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some users noting significant bugs that hinder the overall experience. While the concept is intriguing, the presence of frequent glitches has led to recommendations against playing it.

    • “I wanted to like this game for the interesting concept, but unfortunately, it is too buggy for me to recommend.”
    • “It's a banger, but it seems to get a bit buggy at times.”
  • graphics2 mentions

    The graphics are praised for their unique aesthetic that cleverly contrasts with the game's deeper themes, offering a visually appealing experience that enhances the smart storytelling. However, some users caution that the art style may mislead players into underestimating the game's complexity.

    • “Super cool game, really smart storytelling, and I love the aesthetic.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Replayability is considered low due to the potential for players to remember the story, which diminishes the experience, and frustration with the text interface can further detract from enjoyment. Concerns about the longevity of game resources also suggest that if they become unavailable, replay value could be significantly impacted.

    • “I do worry about the longevity of the game resources; however, I hope that they stay up for years to come. Otherwise, the replay value of the game will be seriously hampered or rendered impossible.”
    • “Replayability is low if you remember the story and it can be frustrating if you keep getting stuck on the text interface, trying to find the right keywords to get the responses you want.”
    • “I do worry about the longevity of the game resources; if they don't remain available for years to come, the replay value of the game will be seriously hampered or rendered impossible.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Many players found the game emotionally impactful, with several expressing that the ending brought them to tears, highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings.

    • “I cried at the ending.”
    • “The story touched my heart in ways I never expected.”
    • “The characters' struggles felt so real, I couldn't help but feel their pain.”
  • gameplay1 mentions

    The gameplay is highly immersive, enhanced by well-designed out-of-game resources that are essential for progression, creating a deeply engaging experience for players.

    • “This is a beautifully crafted game that really takes immersion to the next level with out-of-game resources tailored to your gameplay and necessary for progression.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, as it requires specific interactions and question-asking methods to progress, making the process of sharing clues and completing investigation routes feel cumbersome.

    • “Grinding feels like an endless chore, where progress is painfully slow and repetitive.”
    • “The amount of time required to level up is absurd, making the game feel more like a job than a fun experience.”
    • “I find myself doing the same tasks over and over again, which really drains the enjoyment out of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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