All the Delicate Duplicates
- February 17, 2017
- Dreaming Methods
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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.
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Reviews
- The game features a unique and surreal atmosphere that invites players to explore and piece together a complex narrative.
- It offers an intriguing story with layers of meaning that may require multiple playthroughs to fully understand.
- The visuals and sound design are praised for their beauty and ability to create an immersive experience.
- The gameplay is primarily limited to walking and item interaction, lacking depth and meaningful engagement.
- Many players found the story confusing and poorly explained, leading to frustration and disappointment.
- The game is criticized for its short length and lack of options, making it feel like an incomplete or rushed project.
- story50 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as fragmented and confusing, with many players feeling it lacks depth and coherence, often leaving them puzzled. While some appreciate the layers and psychological elements, others criticize it for being underdeveloped and not engaging enough for those seeking a rich narrative experience. Overall, it seems to cater more to fans of environmental storytelling and walking simulators, inviting multiple playthroughs to piece together its narrative.
“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.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the art style and creepy visuals, while others criticize the use of clichéd effects that feel superficial. Some players found the graphics engaging and suitable for the price, but others felt confused by the overall presentation and narrative coherence. Overall, the visuals are described as interesting but polarizing, with a blend of admiration and frustration from users.
“The graphics are good and it is pretty creepy at times, which is nice.”
“Loved the visuals, 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.”
“The graphics are filled with dumb effects that try to create a trippy experience, but it ultimately feels nonsensical and meaningless.”
“It relies on existing tropes to create an illusion of depth, but the graphical presentation is just garbage that fails to deliver any real impact.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay primarily involves exploring the Sykes household by walking around and interacting with items, akin to "Gone Home" but with a dreamlike quality. However, many users feel it lacks depth, as it seems to be a disjointed experience with minimal story or engaging mechanics.
“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.”
“Gameplay consists solely of just walking around and picking up items to look at them.”
“It feels like it was just thrown together without any real story or gameplay.”
“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.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is often compared to that of a horror title, evoking a sense of tension and unease that enhances the overall experience. While some players initially find it underwhelming, many are ultimately impressed by the immersive environment, even if they feel the story does not fully match its depth.
“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.”
“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.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with users noting it as a positive aspect for the price point. However, there are complaints about inconsistencies in voice and sound levels, suggesting a lack of cohesion in the audio experience.
“The music was good.”
“There were some annoying things with the voice, sounds, and music, like sometimes things were recorded by different people with different levels.”
