All the Delicate Duplicates
- February 17, 2017
- Dreaming Methods
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"All the Delicate Duplicates" is a surreal, award-winning game that follows John and his daughter Charlotte as they discover strange properties of objects inherited from a relative. These objects have the power to change their reality and memories, leading to a reality-bending experience. The game has received numerous accolades including Best Experimental Game and 2nd Place in the Robert Coover Award for Electronic Literature.
Mac OS
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and intriguing story that explores themes of mental illness and altered perceptions.
- Visually, the game is described as gorgeous and atmospheric, providing a surreal experience that captivates players.
- It invites multiple playthroughs, allowing players to discover hidden items and layers of the narrative, enhancing the overall experience.
- Many players feel the game lacks a coherent story and is more of a walking simulator with minimal gameplay mechanics.
- The game is criticized for being short, with some players finishing it in under 30 minutes, leading to a perception of poor value for the price.
- There are complaints about confusing elements, such as the narrative structure and the disappearance of text, which can leave players feeling lost.
- story25 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is polarizing, with some players finding it confusing and fragmented, while others appreciate its depth and psychological elements. Many reviews highlight the need for multiple playthroughs to fully grasp the narrative, which is often described as lacking coherence and linearity. Overall, it appeals to fans of environmental storytelling but may disappoint those seeking a more traditional, rich narrative experience.
“The story has many layers and it might take a few playthroughs to get a sufficient understanding of what actually happened.”
“Overall, the story was good, and the characters interesting as you piece together bits of who they are and what they are like.”
“Was hooked by the wild story and that it all came together through the smallest of hints.”
“It feels like it was just thrown together without any real story or gameplay.”
“There are quite a few gaps, and this story had a ton of potential, but ultimately I was left confused for a good chunk of the game.”
“If you're in search of a heavy story, I don't suggest this game.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the cool visuals and creepy atmosphere, while others criticize the use of clichéd effects that detract from the overall experience. Many players find the art style interesting, though some express confusion regarding the game's graphical execution and thematic depth. Overall, the graphics are considered decent, especially for the price, but opinions vary on their effectiveness in enhancing the gameplay.
“The graphics are good and it is pretty creepy at times, which is nice.”
“Loved the visuals; I wanted more to open up in the mo universe section.”
“The art style and graphics are overall interesting.”
“At first I thought something was wrong with my graphics card, but it seems this 'geniusly made' experimental game is just poorly designed.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay primarily involves exploring the Sykes household by walking around and interacting with items, akin to "Gone Home," but lacks a cohesive story or engaging mechanics. Players spend their time examining belongings and reading notes, which some reviewers feel gives the experience a disjointed and unfinished quality.
“The main mechanic involves walking around the Sykes household at different times, looking at their belongings, reading notes and journals, etc. One could compare it a bit to 'Gone Home,' but with a dreamlike twist to it.”
“Gameplay consists solely of just walking around and picking up items to look at them.”
“The main mechanic is you walking around in the Sykes household at different times, looking at their belongings, reading notes and journals, etc. One could compare it a bit to 'Gone Home', but with a dreamlike twist to it.”
“It feels like it was just thrown together without any real story or gameplay.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is often compared to that of a horror title, creating a tense and immersive experience that enhances the overall gameplay. While some players appreciate the atmospheric elements, they may find the story lacking in depth.
“A friend recommended I try this, and at first it wasn’t all that. I gave it a quick go, getting to what I guessed was the end in just under 30 minutes. I was impressed by the atmosphere but not sold on the story.”
“The atmosphere is reminiscent of that in a horror game, but calling it such would be cheapening it, I think.”
“A friend recommended I try this, and at first it wasn’t all that. I gave it a quick go, getting to the end, or what I guessed was the end, in just under 30 minutes. I was impressed by the atmosphere but not sold on the story.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating its quality for the price. However, some users noted inconsistencies in the audio, particularly with voice recordings that varied in levels, which detracted from the overall experience.
“The graphics are not too bad; for $8.79 CDN I can't complain, and the music was good.”
“The music often feels disjointed, as if different tracks were recorded by different people with varying levels of quality.”
“Some of the sound effects and music choices are quite annoying and don't blend well with the overall experience.”
“The inconsistency in the audio quality, especially with the voice acting and music, detracts from the immersion.”
