All Our Asias

About

All Our Asias is a single player role playing game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Melos Han-Tani and was released on February 7, 2018. It received positive reviews from players.

"All Our Asias" is a free, surreal 3D adventure game about identity, race, and nationality. The player assumes the role of Yuito, a Japanese-American hedge fund analyst, who receives a letter from his estranged father, revealing he's on life support. Navigating a surreal version of his father's memories, Yuito seeks to understand their strained relationship before it's too late.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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81%

Audience ScoreBased on 141 reviews

story27 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a beautiful, nostalgic PS1-style aesthetic that enhances its dreamlike atmosphere.
The soundtrack is exceptional, providing a serene and immersive experience that complements the narrative.
All Our Asias explores complex themes of identity, race, and empathy, offering a thought-provoking narrative that resonates with players.

The gameplay is slow and often tedious, with clunky movement and excessive backtracking that can frustrate players.
The story feels incomplete and disjointed at times, lacking depth and resolution in its exploration of the protagonist's relationship with his father.
Some players may find the minimalist graphics and limited interactivity unengaging, leading to a less satisfying experience overall.

story
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
62%
5%
The story of "All Our Asias" explores complex themes of race, identity, and estrangement, particularly within the context of Asian experiences, though its execution can be uneven and at times confusing. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and unique narrative approach, others find the storytelling lacking in coherence and engagement, often feeling that the gameplay overshadows the plot. Overall, the game offers a thought-provoking experience, but its narrative may not resonate with everyone, leaving some players wanting more depth and connection.
- “The way this game handles its storytelling is really powerful, since the gameplay is more of an abstract vehicle to deliver its story.”
- “All Our Asias is a really special piece, all the emotions are so pure in nature, telling a story that is often unheard of in games.”
- “The story and presentation is great and like the cover you need to decipher most of it.”
- “I found the story to be dry and very linear, with not much to think about other than the main message, which is delivered only at the end of the game.”
- “Unfortunately, the story is so bland and unfulfilling, and the little story there is spread so thin.”
- “The story tries to address the subject of what the term 'Asian' really means vs. what it's usually used for, but I felt like it wasn't tied in to the rest of the plot well enough to make me interested in what it had to say about the subject.”
graphics
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic PS1-era aesthetic, with many players appreciating the retro, low-poly visuals and their ability to create a unique atmosphere. However, some critiques highlight that the graphics can feel simplistic or lazy, detracting from the overall experience, especially in terms of gameplay interaction. Despite these mixed feelings, the combination of the visuals and the accompanying soundtrack is often praised for enhancing the game's dreamlike and exploratory qualities.
- “I absolutely loved the whole vibe, with sometimes dreamy, sometimes trippy 90s visuals and a great vaporwave/dreampunk-inspired soundtrack.”
- “Lovely, dreamlike PSX aesthetics with some pretty cool camerawork here and there, coupled with some great music.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, and the minimalist graphics of complex life distilled down to the purest form of pixels...”
- “The graphics, rather than minimalist, felt lazy.”
- “The graphics are a bit old, mostly just being flat blocks and simple textures.”
- “The graphics are terrible (and I love pixel games), and while this is a story-focused game it becomes tedious almost immediately.”
music
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
36%
5%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its serene, dreamlike quality, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth of the experience. Composed by Melos and featuring contributions from other artists, the soundtrack is described as eclectic and immersive, often evoking a sense of nostalgia and tranquility. Many reviewers noted that the music complements the visuals beautifully, making it a standout aspect of the game despite some criticisms of the gameplay and narrative.
- “The music conveys the emotions of each scene very well.”
- “The music is fantastic, has some great ambient tracks that are very dreamlike.”
- “An absolutely lovely experience, with a unique message, gorgeous atmosphere, and fantastic music.”
- “Despite its gorgeous PSX-style visuals and understated, atmospheric soundtrack, All Our Asias isn't able to be a gripping experience.”
- “Like the graphics with the exploration and the music, but everything else is meh.”
- “Even if it does not excel at any singular element, its story, music, atmosphere, and messaging are all decent, and for a free price tag, I think it's alright.”
atmosphere
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
26%
16%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dreamlike, surreal quality, enhanced by PSX-style graphics and an evocative soundtrack. While some reviewers note that it feels more like a tech demo or walking simulator than a fully-fledged game, the overall mood and thematic storytelling create an engaging experience that resonates with players. Many recommend it for its unique atmosphere and the emotional depth it brings to the narrative.
- “It feels more like a tech demo for the team's later 3D outings, but the atmospheric, dreamlike, pixelated, polygonal landscapes pull you in.”
- “An absolutely lovely experience, with a unique message, gorgeous atmosphere, and fantastic music.”
- “But far from a retro gimmick, the look is crucial to establishing the mood and atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere, the music, the minimalist graphics of complex life distilled down to the purest form of pixels...”
- “Even if it does not excel at any singular element, its story, music, atmosphere, and messaging are all decent, and for a free price tag, I think it's alright.”
gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The gameplay is primarily characterized as basic and limited, often described as a walking simulator that emphasizes exploration and storytelling over mechanics. While the aesthetic and music are praised, many reviewers find the gameplay slow and at times tedious, with a sense of emptiness that aligns with the game's themes. Overall, it serves as a minimalist vehicle for its narrative, appealing to those who appreciate a contemplative experience rather than traditional gameplay challenges.
- “The music, retro graphics, and gameplay are very relaxing.”
- “I love the way the game discusses identity and family, and although the walking-sim style of gameplay might not be for everyone, I promise you will feel transported if you give it a shot.”
- “Still, the story and the visuals are where this game shines, and they provide a worthwhile experience in just about an hour of gameplay.”
- “Gameplay-wise it is very limited; as another reviewer pointed out, it's essentially a walking simulator that punishes exploration until the post-game. In this respect, it can be frustratingly padded at times. I realize the emptiness is part of the overall feel of the game, but the few times you have to backtrack just feel tedious since the player avatar moves kind of slowly.”
- “The gameplay is very basic.”
- “Gorgeous surreal, contemplative, exploratory-narrative experience on the likes of early 3D games from the PSX era in everything but gameplay, which is pretty contemporary (you could call it a walking simulator).”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartfelt storytelling and surreal experiences, with some players finding it touching and thought-provoking, particularly regarding themes of identity and loss. However, opinions vary, as some criticize the execution as pretentious or lacking depth, despite acknowledging a few genuinely moving moments. Overall, the game offers a unique emotional journey that, while flawed, is still worth exploring for its poignant messages.
- “The plot has its weak points, and I admit the world itself is probably a bit too large given the simplistic 3D detail that was chosen, but the novelty of the developer and his narrative choices are potent and heartfelt.”
- “The story is rather touching and gave me some perspective on race and identity.”
- “An astonishing, yet heartbreaking short narrative about losing those you never got to meet.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often seen as tedious and frustrating, with players feeling that it detracts from the overall experience. The slow movement and backtracking required for exploration contribute to a sense of padding, while the lack of meaningful rewards for grinding tasks can lead to a loss of momentum in the story. Overall, the grinding feels like a chore rather than an engaging part of the gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it is very limited. As another reviewer pointed out, it's essentially a walking simulator that punishes exploration until the post-game. In this respect, it can be frustratingly padded at times. I realize the emptiness is part of the overall feel of the game, but the few times you have to backtrack just feel tedious since the player avatar moves kind of slowly.”
- “The graphics are terrible (and I love pixel games), and while this is a story-focused game, it becomes tedious almost immediately.”
- “Up until this point, I actually enjoyed the game, but for whatever reason, instead of building on what happened so far or using this momentum for an actual climax, it forces you to do a rather tedious task with no real payoff except for some heavy-handed moral message.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the humor in Melos Han-Tani's games, noting that it elicits a range of emotions, including laughter and reflection, often leading them to further explore the themes presented in the game.
- “One of my favorite aspects of Melos Han-Tani's games is that after I'm done smiling, laughing, and crying, I often find myself researching the subject matter dealt with in the game.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game exhibits stability issues, particularly when minimizing or attempting to change controls, leading to crashes that can disrupt other PC functions until the game is forcibly closed.
- “It was a little bit buggy for me, but only when I had to minimize the game or if I tried to change the controls. It would just crash and stay up in the background, not allowing me to do anything on my PC until I had closed the game out.”