Adios

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 940 reviews
  • story
  • emotional
  • gameplay
Adios Game Cover
Adios is brief and mostly concerned with dialogue, but it's a thought-provoking piece of interactive fiction, even if the visual style clashes with the narrative.
Starting at $5.91Buy now
Get on Steam Get on itch.io Store Get on Xbox Games Store

"Adios" is a single-player drama simulation game with an intriguing story and good gameplay set in a beautifully designed American Midwest environment. As a pig farmer in Kansas, you decide to stop helping the mob dispose of bodies, leading to tense interactions with a hitman friend. The game is both atmospheric and wholesome, with humor and bugs, and your decisions will determine the rest of your life in this goodbye story.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 940 reviews
story196 positive mentions
stability12 negative mentions
  • Incredible writing and voice acting that create a deeply emotional experience.
  • Short but impactful narrative that effectively explores themes of regret and mortality.
  • Unique dialogue mechanics that enhance character depth and player engagement.
  • Gameplay is minimal and can feel clunky, with some interactions lacking polish.
  • The game is very short, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • Some players may find the story predictable and lacking in significant choices.
  • story550 mentions

    The story of "Adios" is a poignant and tightly crafted narrative that explores themes of regret, mortality, and moral choices through the lens of a pig farmer contemplating his life decisions. While the game is brief, lasting about 1-2 hours, it is praised for its exceptional writing and voice acting, which effectively convey deep emotional weight. Many reviewers feel that the story, though impactful, might have been better suited to a different medium, such as film or literature, due to its linearity and minimal gameplay interaction.

    • “It's a beautiful story with a couple of twists and turns and a brutal, impactful ending.”
    • “A well-executed narrative that tells a story of guilt, grief, and hope delivered through short conversations as much by what's said as what's left unsaid.”
    • “Adios is a heart-wrenching story about a man ready to say goodbye.”
    • “On a macro level, neither the story nor the way it was presented worked for me.”
    • “The story is predictable, the backstory that I imagine is supposed to be complex and deep feels stereotypical and shallow.”
    • “Despite the game being all about the story, the story just isn't that good.”
  • emotional151 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Adios" is widely praised for its deeply touching narrative, which explores themes of finality and human connection through the poignant story of a farmer contemplating suicide. Players report a strong emotional impact, often leading to tears, thanks to the game's heartfelt writing and exceptional voice acting. While some critique its gameplay as simplistic, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a powerful, reflective experience that resonates long after completion.

    • “Adios is a surprisingly emotional portrait of a man who has decided he's had enough and the man who doesn't want to kill him.”
    • “This game is very emotionally affecting; I teared up several times.”
    • “Adios is that one last walk around your home you take before you say goodbye to it forever, and the development team has ensured that every scene has the right amount of emotional weight and catharsis.”
  • gameplay86 mentions

    The gameplay in this title is minimal and primarily consists of walking and simple interactions, often described as a "walking simulator." While some players appreciate the narrative focus and innovative dialogue mechanics, many find the gameplay rudimentary and lacking in meaningful interactivity, leading to a mixed reception regarding its engagement and replay value. Overall, it appeals more to those who prioritize storytelling over traditional gameplay mechanics.

    • “I think it takes the framing of a short story but tries its best to enhance/flesh out the narrative via the gameplay, which was cool in my opinion.”
    • “The gameplay complements the story, but doesn't get in the way of it, either.”
    • “The experience uses every element of gameplay to tell the story and include you in it, both through the actions available to you and those that aren't, and through the emotions and state of mind it provokes.”
    • “There is no real gameplay in Adios - no meaningful interactivity with the game world, and no reason for the player to be in control at any point during its ~40 minute runtime.”
    • “The gameplay leaves a lot to be desired.”
    • “If you're not into stories, where there isn't much gameplay to be had and some minor exploration, but mainly observing a story, then this is a really great one.”
  • graphics54 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many describing them as basic or serviceable, typical of indie titles. While some players appreciate the distinct art style and how it complements the narrative, others criticize the visuals for being clunky and lacking detail, particularly in character animations and facial expressions. Overall, the graphics are seen as not detracting from the story and voice acting, which are often highlighted as the game's strengths.

    • “The game's art style is well suited to conveying the simple charm of a rural Kansas farmstead, and the voice acting performances bring the narrative solidly home.”
    • “The graphics, while not cutting edge, do a great job of delivering the clear visual aesthetic that the team had in mind.”
    • “The environmental design and artwork are gorgeous and a welcome addition to the cell-shaded genre.”
    • “Graphics are bad.”
    • “Great voice acting, good writing, terrible visuals.”
    • “The graphics for this game are not great, they are simply serviceable, and I do believe they do not subtract from the plot and dialogue so it does its job there.”
  • optimization38 mentions

    The optimization of "Adios" is praised for its beautiful graphics and seamless integration of voice acting with the narrative, creating an engaging cinematic experience. While the vocal performances are exceptional and emotionally resonant, some critiques note that the animation does not always match the intensity of the voice work, leading to a disconnect in emotional delivery. Overall, the game is well-optimized for its storytelling approach, focusing on dialogue and character-driven experiences rather than traditional gameplay mechanics.

    • “A well-optimized, gorgeous, cell-shaded indie game.”
    • “There's a lot of very powerful writing in this game, driven home by some really fantastic voice performances.”
    • “Though short, extraordinary writing, magnificent voice performances, and a fleshed out setting make Adios a great experience that will stick with you for years.”
    • “Adios tries to be deep, though underachieves in almost every regard bar its vocal performances.”
    • “The vocal performances are strong, but the animation fails to meet those performances, with entire sequences having only basic idle animations that don't match the emotional tension of the scene.”
    • “First of all, don't come to this game expecting 'content.' It is clearly a narrative that is driven by top-notch performances and quality art, but it is not the kind of game you repeatedly play to master some sort of mechanic (except maybe horseshoes?).”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Adios" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with many reviewers highlighting the game's unique premise, rich storytelling, and exceptional voice acting. The immersive environment and attention to detail create a compelling vibe that enhances the overall experience, despite some criticism of the gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature that elevates it above others in its genre.

    • “Games in general allow for such an intimate relationship with the atmosphere, places, and characters in them, and Adios is one of the best in allowing you to just experience a vibe, a feeling, and a life through a place.”
    • “It's clear that there was a lot of care put into that atmosphere, which elevates it above many games of similar length.”
    • “It's a lovely, atmospheric, emotional narrative game.”
    • “I didn't like some of the mini games like cooking and fishing; I just wanted to see the rest of the story, but I guess those mini games have a point of building the atmosphere.”
    • “At first, the animations for the hitman were a bit off-putting, but the writing, acting, and atmosphere make it fade into the background after 15 minutes or so.”
    • “It's short and focused, doing everything to immerse you in its story and atmosphere.”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game is largely subjective, with some players noting a lack of a cohesive soundtrack and minimal ambient sound, which detracts from the overall experience. While there are moments that evoke strong emotions, such as poignant conversations and immersive environmental sounds, the absence of a more prominent musical presence leaves some players feeling that the storytelling could have been enhanced through better musical integration. Overall, the game's music and sound design receive mixed reviews, with some appreciating the emotional depth while others find it lacking.

    • “Many moments in this game will stick with you, from the discussion about extinct chestnut trees, to the heart-wrenching phone call to the farmer's son, to beating his soon-to-be assassin in horseshoes and futzing around with the in-game musical players.”
    • “Simply put, if you enjoy media that makes you feel, in this case sad, be it music, movies, or video games, then this is right up your alley.”
    • “From the lack of any music, to the subtle but immersive wind in the background, and most of all the outstanding voice acting.”
    • “There are some sound cues but there isn't really a soundtrack.”
    • “Not a lot of music or ambient noise to speak of, but you do feel as if you really are on a farm.”
    • “The game will not fill you with awe for its design or music.”
  • humor13 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of pathos and lightheartedness, featuring amusing visuals like funny-looking pigs and a comically awkward handler. Players appreciate the balance of serious themes with humorous dialogue and interactions, often finding themselves laughing at the game's quirky moments and unintentional hilarity. Overall, the humor adds a charming layer to the experience, making it both enjoyable and memorable.

    • “An interesting mixture of pathos and humor.”
    • “Cooking, of course, is a cool down activity, but considering I had a lot of trouble just getting the ingredients without throwing them or the knife across the room, I couldn't stop laughing.”
    • “Although, there's plenty of opportunities to balance out the serious tone with humorous dialogue, interactions, and opportunities.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game has received mixed reviews regarding stability, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the experience. While some players noted that the issues were not game-breaking and that updates were being released to address them, the overall consensus is that the game is currently quite unstable and may not be worth its price until further improvements are made.

    • “Very good narrative and voice acting, but very buggy.”
    • “The writing and the voice acting are great, the animations are pretty bad, some of the animals look horrifying and the game is a bit buggy.”
    • “Right now the game is super buggy honestly and not worth the 20 bucks.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers a mix of opinions on replayability; while some players appreciate its different conversation paths and achievements that enhance replay value, others find the dialogue choices lack significant impact on the story, leading to a perception of limited replayability. Overall, it is considered a captivating experience, but its short length and shallow gameplay may deter some from replaying.

    • “I would highly recommend this game; exploring the harsh and emotionally rich story of its main character through the mundanity of farm life while keeping itself concise, replayable, captivating, and visually beautiful.”
    • “It's fairly short, but don't let that stop you; it's got a decent replay value (different conversation paths, achievements) and it's well worth it for what you pay for it.”
    • “This is not what replayability is.”
    • “The dialogue choices don't seem to change anything, so there isn't much replay value. While there are tiny bits of gameplay, the dialogue seems to exist separately from anything going on in the game world, making it harder to focus on the story.”
    • “Good story, great voice acting, good experience, but very shallow on gameplay and very weak on replay value for the story.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    The reviews suggest that the grinding aspect of the game is intertwined with a sense of dread, as the characters engage in seemingly mundane discussions about farming that mask deeper tensions. This juxtaposition creates a unique atmosphere, where the repetitive nature of grinding is both relatable and unsettling.

    • “The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which quickly became boring and frustrating.”
    • “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

Buy Adios

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-3hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News