Get on SteamGuide Alum on his journey through the "Land of Tide". Help him discover the truth about his city, Kosmos, and the mysterious epidemic known as "The Vague". As the tale unfolds, it will keep you enthralled all the way up to its epic conclusion. Alum is an original point-and-click adventure game.
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Reviews
- Beautiful visuals and artwork that enhance the overall experience.
- Engaging story with likable characters and interesting puzzles.
- Fully voiced with good actors, providing a nostalgic point-and-click adventure feel.
- Heavy-handed Christian themes that may alienate some players.
- Mediocre voice acting that detracts from immersion and character development.
- Frustrating gameplay elements, including linear dialogue and some poorly designed mini-games.
- story27 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its beautiful presentation and engaging elements, but it faces criticism for being overly heavy-handed with Christian themes and a simplistic good-vs-evil narrative. While some players found the initial chapters compelling, many felt the plot deteriorated as the game progressed, lacking depth and intrigue. Overall, the story is seen as a mixed bag, with potential that is not fully realized due to its reliance on religious rhetoric and a thin narrative.
“Beautiful game with a wonderful story.”
“The story is great, and people complaining about a lot of cutscenes should consider buying a puzzle game instead if they want to just get puzzles.”
“Everything was amazingly executed... the art, the story, the gameplay, the puzzles, the real-time mini-games, the characters, the voice acting, the music.”
“Alum is a nice little retro point & click, but the story is a bit heavy on religious matters.”
“First two chapters of the game were amazing, but they soon rolled down the hill into a thin, and extremely boring story.”
“You made a story about religion, but it's not interesting or compelling.”
- music9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the music in the game is praised for its quality and emotional impact, with many players noting its ability to enhance the experience, particularly during key moments like the ending. However, some users reported issues with the volume balance between music and dialogue, and a few found certain musical choices, such as 8-bit tracks, to be out of place. Despite these criticisms, the music is generally described as pleasant and well-executed, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere.
“The art quality, puzzles, and music are all very good.”
“Ending somehow hit me hard and with credits and the beautiful song that followed it, I almost cried.”
“Very nice artwork, marvelous music, rich and diverse plot, and a set of interesting puzzles.”
“There are issues with the music and dialogue volume.”
“The scenes feel completely out of place with the 8-bit music.”
“The music seems disconnected from the overall theme of the game.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful visuals and unique art style, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Players appreciate the cool artwork and the emotional engagement it fosters, enhancing the narrative-driven gameplay. While some players prefer pixelated art, the general consensus highlights the game's impressive artistic quality.
“The artwork is really cool, the dialogue is witty and fun, and the puzzles get more and more intense as you move through the chapters. I'm really in the beginning stages but already emotionally invested, thoroughly entertained, and hooked!”
“Very nice artwork, marvelous music, rich and diverse plot, and a set of interesting puzzles.”
“Artwork is beautiful.”
“The graphics are underwhelming and lack detail.”
“The character models look outdated and poorly designed.”
“The environments feel bland and uninspired, making the game visually unappealing.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Players express a strong initial emotional investment in the game, praising its engaging artwork, witty dialogue, and intense puzzles. However, some reviews indicate a decline in emotional depth as the story progresses, with criticisms of a lack of character development and a disjointed balance between humor and serious themes. Overall, while the game starts with a compelling emotional hook, it struggles to maintain that depth throughout.
“The artwork is really cool, the dialogue is witty and fun, and the puzzles get more and more intense as you move through the chapters. I'm really in the beginning stages but already emotionally invested, thoroughly entertained, and hooked!”
“Paying for it forced me to see it through as a result, and it made me realize how totally contradictory, bizarre, and emotionally selfish faith was. For that, it was an interesting venture.”
“Sometimes there were humorous moments that felt pasted on because the game would otherwise be too loaded with emotional and sad moments.”
“The first two chapters of the game were amazing, but they soon rolled down the hill into a thin and extremely boring story.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent; while some players found it moderately funny and enjoyed certain humorous moments, others felt that these moments were forced and detracted from the overall emotional tone. Comparisons to older Sierra games highlight a desire for a more clever and original sense of humor, which many feel is lacking in this title.
“It was even moderately funny at times, and I loved it.”
“Sometimes had humorous moments which felt pasted on because the game would otherwise be too loaded with emotional/sad moments.”
“The old Sierra games were brilliant because of their sly sense of humor, their complex and original references, and the trickiness of the gameplay.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is highly praised for its clever humor, intricate references, and challenging mechanics, reminiscent of classic Sierra games, earning a strong rating of 9/10.
“The old Sierra games were brilliant because of their sly sense of humor, their complex and original references, and the trickiness of the gameplay.”
“Gameplay: 9/10”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its incredibly cozy atmosphere, creating a warm and inviting environment that enhances the overall experience.
“It provides an incredibly cozy atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you into its world.”
“Every detail contributes to a rich and immersive atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”
