All We Need

About

All We Need is a single player action game. It was developed by ThunderForge and was released on November 22, 2024. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In All We Need, players immerse themselves in a world of horror and suspense. Influenced by North American mythology, the game takes players on a harrowing journey as they follow the protagonist, Jack, who is drawn away from his family by mysterious supernatural forces. As players navigate the haunting landscapes and eerie environments of North American woods, they will encounter psychological cha…

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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65%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story9 positive mentions

optimization2 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and beautiful map design create an immersive experience.
The incorporation of North American mythology adds depth to the somewhat typical horror storyline.
The cigarette mechanic for revealing hidden paths and story elements is an interesting and engaging feature.

The story is somewhat cliché and lacks clarity, making it difficult for players to fully engage with the narrative.
Players can easily get soft locked or stuck in the environment, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Voice acting is inconsistent and often detracts from the overall immersion of the game.

story
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
71%
7%
The game's story is a mixed bag, featuring a somewhat clichéd narrative and familiar character tropes, yet it incorporates intriguing elements of North American mythology that some players appreciated. While the emotional and psychological aspects of the story aim for depth, many reviewers found the delivery confusing and disjointed, with abrupt reveals and unresolved plot threads detracting from the overall experience. Despite its potential, the storytelling mechanics and voice acting received criticism, leaving players wanting a more coherent and engaging narrative.
- “The story is a little typical, the character a fairly well-worn trope, but it still plays out well and I liked the North American mythology element to the story being a mythology nerd.”
- “The story is told through a combination of voiceover and drawn art, with gameplay stopping after most item interactions to provide a small cutscene and flesh out the backstory of the world.”
- “The writing and visual style create an unsettling theme which enhances the intimate story told across the hour or so of gameplay available.”
- “As I see it, the biggest issue with this game is that they do not know what story they want to tell.”
- “While I like the idea of the mechanic of keeping the criteria under which a player is judged opaque until the end, in practice, this renders the story nonsensical and the lesson essentially meaningless.”
- “Your story is confusing, and delivered in random chunks.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
The gameplay is characterized by a unique mechanic involving smoking to uncover hidden paths and story elements, which adds an intriguing layer to exploration. While the atmosphere and narrative delivery through voiceovers and cutscenes are praised, some players feel that the core mechanics lack clarity and engagement, potentially diminishing the overall impact of the story. Despite these criticisms, the gameplay remains challenging and immersive, effectively enhancing the game's dark mystery.
- “The use of smoking to reveal hidden paths or hidden story elements was an interesting choice, and I enjoyed using this mechanic to find a way around a blocked route.”
- “Particularly enjoyed the game’s atmosphere and cigarette mechanic.”
- “At first, I was worried I might get stuck, but I found the gameplay to be challenging yet totally manageable, keeping me engaged and on the edge of my seat.”
- “The issue with all we need, however, is that its core mechanic, the means by which Jack—and therefore the player—engage with this narrative and the lesson it’s teaching remain totally opaque until the very end of the game.”
- “Where it falters, though, is in how that story is told, both from a mechanics and narrative perspective.”
- “If you want a good, story-driven game with better graphics, better gameplay, and an actual psychological horror theme, try Miside for example.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising its stunning visuals and beautiful map design, while others criticize the overall quality and performance, citing low frame rates and a lack of graphics options. Despite these issues, many players appreciate the aesthetic and atmosphere, suggesting that the visuals contribute positively to the storytelling experience.
- “Graphically, this game is stunning.”
- “Beautiful map design and good graphics.”
- “I liked the aesthetic and the atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are quite poor.”
- “I wish there were some graphics options so I didn't have to suffer through low frame rates, but other than that, I very much enjoyed the story and atmosphere!”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its ambition and ability to create an eerie yet enchanting experience, drawing players into a surreal world. Reviewers highlight the exceptional level design and a spooky ambiance that lingers, although some express a desire for better graphics options to enhance the experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “From the very first moment I entered its eerie yet enchanting world, I was taken aback by the surreal atmosphere, drawing me deeper into the experience.”
- “Particularly enjoyed the game’s atmosphere and cigarette mechanic.”
- “The level design is exceptional, creating a deep and unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll.”
- “All we need does a fairly decent job building a spooky atmosphere.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ambitious storytelling, tackling profound themes that resonate with players, though some feel the execution lacks clarity and engagement. While some reviews criticize the initial setup for not effectively drawing players in, others praise the game as a powerful emotional journey that lingers in the mind, blending horror with a deep exploration of human consciousness. Overall, it presents a mixed reception regarding its emotional impact, with strong potential for those who appreciate immersive narratives.
- “Very emotional and psychological story... not that I understood all of it.”
- “"All We Need" isn’t just a game; it’s an emotional journey that stays with you long after you've finished.”
- “It skillfully balances its horror elements with a heartfelt exploration of human consciousness, making it a must-play for anyone who loves a deeply immersive narrative experience.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game lacks strong optimization and would benefit from a save system, but its short length and branching paths enhance replayability. While the voice acting quality varies, the writing and world-building are commendable.
- “It's not super optimized and could really use a save system, but it's free, it's short (just over an hour), and it offers branching paths that make it worth replaying.”
- “The voice acting is hit or miss — Jack's performance can be a bit distracting — but the writing is strong, and the world-building feels thoughtful and grounded in something deeper.”