Actual Sunlight

About

"Actual Sunlight" is a critically acclaimed visual novel that explores depression, hopelessness, and social anxieties in a raw and unfiltered way. The game follows the life of Evan Winter, a 30-something office worker, as he navigates through his mundane existence and grapples with his inner demons. Its deep and thought-provoking narrative challenges players to confront the harsh realities of mental health issues.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

74%

Audience ScoreBased on 442 reviews

story25 positive mentions

gameplay8 negative mentions

The writing is exceptional, providing a poignant and authentic portrayal of depression and existential struggles.
The game offers a raw and honest exploration of mental health, resonating deeply with those who have experienced similar feelings.
It successfully captures the feelings of isolation and hopelessness, making it a powerful narrative experience.

The gameplay is minimal, consisting mostly of reading long passages of text with little interactivity.
The themes are extremely dark and may be triggering for individuals currently struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts.
The story lacks a sense of hope or redemption, which may leave players feeling worse rather than providing any comfort.

story
275 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
88%
3%
The story of "Actual Sunlight" is a poignant and deeply personal exploration of depression, following the life of Evan Winter as he grapples with feelings of hopelessness and self-loathing. While some praise its raw and honest portrayal of mental illness, others criticize its linearity and lack of interactivity, suggesting it functions more as an interactive narrative than a traditional game. Overall, the narrative resonates with many players, offering a haunting reflection on the struggles of living with depression, though it may not appeal to those seeking a more dynamic gameplay experience.
- “One of the standout features of 'Actual Sunlight' is its storytelling.”
- “The story of 'Actual Sunlight' is a deep look at someone with depression; there's really no sugarcoating here, and it feels very nuanced because of it.”
- “Actual Sunlight is best described as an interactive short story portraying a man fighting a losing battle with depression; as the protagonist's dark thoughts get the best of him, his hate for himself and his own life send him down an ever darker spiral.”
- “The story is dark, has a warning for a reason.”
- “It's a rather depressing story to see unfold as you bring the main character from beginning to end.”
- “The storyline is very depressing and it will probably make you feel more helpless and hopeless as the story progresses on.”
gameplay
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
81%
11%
The gameplay of "Actual Sunlight" is minimalistic and primarily revolves around reading extensive text, interacting with objects, and exploring a linear environment, which some players find tedious. While the simplicity allows for a focus on the narrative and emotional depth, many reviewers note the lack of traditional gameplay mechanics and challenge, likening it more to an interactive story or visual novel than a conventional game. Overall, it appeals mainly to those who prioritize storytelling over gameplay engagement.
- “The simplicity of the gameplay allows players to focus on the narrative and the emotional journey of the main character.”
- “Its powerful storytelling, minimalistic gameplay, impactful visuals and sound design, exceptional writing, and authentic voice acting make it a standout title that deserves recognition.”
- “There's individual writing and descriptions for nearly every object and interaction in the game, and the gameplay compliments the narrative through the choices it allows you.”
- “Actual Sunlight doesn't have much gameplay to speak of; it's mostly a reading experience, as you walk around, talk to people, and explore your environments.”
- “There's not much more 'gameplay' except for walking around your depressive character in a generic environment and talking to objects and people.”
- “The gameplay is very linear, but that mirrors the way I feel on days where I'm not functioning so well.”
emotional
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of "Actual Sunlight" is described as a deeply impactful and often draining experience, focusing on themes of depression and solitude. While some players found the narrative to be beautifully written and profoundly moving, others criticized it for lacking emotional connection or depth. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate thought-provoking stories, but potential players should be aware of its heavy emotional content.
- “The simplicity of the gameplay allows players to focus on the narrative and the emotional journey of the main character.”
- “Actual sunlight is an experience...a bleak, raw, thought-provoking, emotional journey that is sure to stir strong emotions in its audience.”
- “This is a truly deep and emotional journey, no sugar-coating or anything, this game is really blunt and honest.”
graphics
43 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The graphics of the game are primarily minimalistic and pixel art-based, reflecting the themes of isolation and depression central to its narrative. While some players appreciate the simplistic visuals and hand-drawn artwork, others criticize the overall aesthetic as crude and lacking depth, typical of RPG Maker titles. Despite the mixed opinions on the graphics, many agree that the visuals effectively complement the game's powerful storytelling and emotional impact.
- “The game features pixel art graphics that convey a sense of isolation and emptiness, mirroring Evan's state of mind.”
- “The visuals are deceptively charming for such a somber game, the writing shifts from beautifully depressing to downright funny, and it's complemented by a nice soundtrack and some great CG illustrations.”
- “With its simplistic visuals and interactive fiction type gameplay, Actual Sunlight is a pleasure to look at, whilst its dark and somber story counteracts its visuals.”
- “The graphics are mostly flat, basic, and bland; environments are constricted; and the narrative choices given to the player are ultimately illusions -- exactly how Evan feels about his own life.”
- “While the writing is quite good at a couple moments, the whole game feels pretty amateurish in about every sense--it's graphically crude, and the sound and level design aren't very interesting.”
- “I understand that this is a game about depression, but graphics and sound could have been used to convey tone much more effectively, even with RPG Maker.”
music
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
52%
11%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its haunting and atmospheric qualities that enhance the storytelling, while others find it repetitive and lacking in memorable tracks. While a few users enjoyed the soundtrack and its fitting ambiance, many described it as bland or forgettable, failing to leave a lasting impression. Overall, the music serves as a backdrop to the narrative but does not significantly elevate the gaming experience.
- “The soundtrack is haunting and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the tone of the game and immersing players in Evan's world.”
- “A poignant story of depression and loneliness, with intelligent dialogue, a realistic set of characters, and beautiful music.”
- “The visuals are deceptively charming for such a somber game, the writing shifts from beautifully depressing to downright funny, and it's complemented by a nice soundtrack and some great CG illustrations.”
- “There's some music and other things, but overall it's nothing impressive.”
- “The music is repetitive and there are very few unique atmospheric songs.”
- “The story is well written, but it's not enough: the graphics are minimal, the music is minimal, there are no challenges, and there are no meaningful interactions.”
humor
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, sardonic wit and cynical observations, often reflecting the protagonist's deep-seated struggles with self-loathing and depression. While it starts with relatable and light-hearted moments, the humor evolves into a more profound commentary on loneliness and mental health, providing both insight and levity amidst the somber themes. Overall, the writing is praised for its ability to balance humor with poignant reflections on the human condition, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
- “The writing at first is sardonic, darkly humorous, cynical, and somewhat light-hearted.”
- “The game has some funny, almost self-aware moments, which very nearly endeared the game to me.”
- “The meat of the game is in text, observations, and essays that are by turns hilarious, heartbreaking, acerbic, and sharply observed.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with reviewers noting that it offers a singular narrative experience without choices or branching paths, making it unlikely for players to want to experience it more than once. Overall, it is deemed to have "absolutely no replay value."
- “If you're depressed, all it amounts to is an hour of self-hate, with less replayability than Depression Quest.”
- “There is no replay value due to lack of choice and consequence or any branching scripting.”
- “Absolutely no replay value (though I'm unsure why anyone would want to go through the story twice).”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a haunting soundtrack that effectively immerses players in its world, though some users find the music repetitive and lacking in unique tracks. While the overall tone is appreciated, expectations for a more interactive and varied atmospheric experience were not fully met.
- “The soundtrack is haunting and atmospheric, perfectly complementing the tone of the game and immersing players in Evan's world.”
- “I was attracted to this because I was in a depressive mood, heard this game had atmospheric music that I wanted to listen to for at least 2 hours, feeling a good interesting story.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as slow and tedious, effectively reflecting the protagonist Evan's bleak and monotonous life. This realism, while impactful, can lead to moments that feel excessively drawn out and frustrating for players.
- “It is slow and very tedious and feels much more real because of it.”
- “Certain moments are incredibly tedious.”
- “You will simply witness Evan's life, as the tedious, dark, desperate routine that it is.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews suggest that the optimization of the game reflects a broader existential theme, highlighting the paradox of seeking fulfillment in a world driven by capitalism. Players may find that despite the game's polished mechanics, it raises questions about the nature of happiness and satisfaction in their gaming experience.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers note a lack of character development in the game, citing its short duration as a contributing factor. Even with a longer playtime, players feel that the characters do not undergo any meaningful growth or change, rendering the narrative unimpactful.
- “This could be partially due to how short the game is (an hour or maybe two if you're a slow reader), but even if it was longer, I don't think it would have helped, as none of the characters go through any sort of character development at all, even with the three-year time jump.”
- “The characters feel flat and unchanging throughout the game, making it hard to connect with them on any level.”
- “Despite the potential for growth, the characters remain static and predictable, leaving the player wanting more depth and evolution.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, with some expressing frustration to the point of not wanting to play the game again, even for completionist goals.
- “I won't be playing it again, even to try to unlock the buggy achievement.”