An Outcry

94%
Game Brain Score Based on 97 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
An Outcry Game Cover
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In "An Outcry," guide a shut-in through a horror-filled night in a text-heavy RPG, made in RPG Maker 2003. With multiple impactful routes, 5 endings, and a haunting soundtrack, ensure the Unnamed's survival amidst strange occurrences and deep anxieties. Explore the complex narrative through almost 100 illustrated cutscenes, spanning approximately 4 hours of gameplay.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 97 reviews
story10 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • An Outcry features a deeply moving narrative that resonates with players, particularly those who identify as queer, and effectively explores themes of identity, trauma, and societal issues.
  • The game's art style and soundtrack are stunning, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the story.
  • The writing is exceptional, with well-developed characters and a unique approach to gameplay that encourages players to reflect on their choices and the consequences of inaction.
  • The combat system can be frustrating and feels secondary to the narrative, with some players finding it tedious and unengaging.
  • Certain dialogue sections are slow and lack a fast-forward option, which can detract from the pacing and overall experience.
  • Some players may find the themes and writing style too on-the-nose or politically charged, potentially alienating those who do not resonate with the game's messages.
  • story36 mentions

    The story of "An Outcry" is a complex and thought-provoking narrative set in a run-down Vienna apartment, exploring themes of adversity, identity, and the struggle against oppressive forces, symbolized by supernatural birds. While some players appreciate its heavy subjects and character depth, others find the execution lacking, particularly in dialogue and character development. Overall, the game is praised for its unique storytelling mechanics and atmospheric design, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven RPGs.

    • “The story is wonderfully written and the characters feel like real people.”
    • “It's a thoughtful, concise game that makes good use of the mechanics of RPG Maker to support the story it wants to tell.”
    • “Lovely story, great atmosphere, and a great exploration of what fascism is and how it manifests.”
    • “The story deals with very heavy subjects, especially during the ignore route.”
    • “A major theme in the story is the unnamed's slow journey towards standing up for themself and overcoming their anxieties; to express this in gameplay, certain dialogue choice lists can and sometimes have to be refused altogether, showing the unnamed's growth and refusal to play along in very practical terms.”
    • “It says it's 'psychological horror' and 'story rich', this just means confusing.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting its atmospheric and haunting qualities. The soundtrack is described as memorable and engaging, often drawing players in rather than serving as mere background noise. While some found the music to be occasionally grating, the majority agree that it significantly contributes to the game's emotional depth and immersive storytelling.

    • “Top-notch soundtrack that actually had me listening to it instead of just putting on my own playlist in the background.”
    • “An outcry is a fantastic game that pulls you in almost instantly, with awesome pixel art, great atmospheric music, and a haunting narrative that sticks in your mind long after you're done playing.”
    • “Music is mid and gets grating after a bit.”
    • “The music is moody, atmospheric, and a bit jarring, and the paths each had some important things to say about themselves.”
    • “The music stands out to me right away.”
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily narrative-driven, focusing on exploring dialogue branches and uncovering hidden options that enhance the story's themes of self-assertion and personal growth. While it features traditional turn-based RPG mechanics, the lack of leveling and equipment diminishes the combat's engagement compared to the rich narrative experience. Overall, the game effectively uses its mechanics to support its storytelling, though some players may find the gameplay inconsistencies and limited replayability frustrating.

    • “Being a very narrative-driven game, the core of the gameplay is exploring the various dialogue branches to get the most out of the characters and events and see all the endings. There are occasions where the game decides to get a bit meta and throws in some hidden dialogue options that can only be found by pressing cancel after a multiple choice, signifying that the unnamed has decided to speak their own mind and break the narrative structure set by the writer. It was a cute addition and reinforces the narrative about the main character needing to take action themselves.”
    • “It's a thoughtful, concise game that makes good use of the mechanics of RPG Maker to support the story it wants to tell.”
    • “Super tightly-focused RPG, heavier on narrative but with an incredibly compelling use of game mechanics to tell its story and open up unexpected routes.”
    • “Talking is not the only gameplay element; we also have a typical turn-based RPG combat with ATB, but compared to a classic RPG, you don't get experience, you don't level up, and you barely get any equipment.”
    • “I think there are some things that frustrated me in terms of the gameplay mechanics, such as the dialogue options being inconsistent. Finding out if there was an X/C dialogue option or a 'hidden' dialogue option basically takes going into every dialogue individually and testing out every dialogue path, and the replayability of the game just wasn't high enough for me to go through that.”
    • “It will be outright mean and antagonistic to the player for making the wrong decision once or for not knowing about a hidden mechanic.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a striking contrast between gloomy and vibrant elements, enhanced by stunning pixel art and a haunting soundtrack. Reviewers highlight its oppressive yet picturesque setting, particularly in the context of contemporary Vienna, and praise the effective use of color and sound design to create a deeply immersive experience. Overall, the game is noted for its rich atmosphere that complements its narrative and themes, leaving a lasting impact on players.

    • “The atmosphere for the most part is pretty gloomy, but there are sections where the unnamed feels safer, with colors popping up their brightest, setting up the tone perfectly. There are also a lot of visual novel-style CGs and cutscenes done with gorgeous animated pixel art that give off some really powerful visuals.”
    • “An outcry is a fantastic game that pulls you in almost instantly, with awesome pixel art, great atmospheric music, and a haunting narrative that sticks in your mind long after you're done playing.”
    • “It is set in Vienna today and has an atmosphere that oscillates between oppressive and picturesque.”
    • “One of the most positive aspects of this story is the dense, oppressive atmosphere, which is underlined very well by the reduced color palette and the sound design, as well as the electronic or rock music.”
    • “The atmosphere for the most part is pretty gloomy, but there are sections where the unnamed feels safer, where the colors pop up their brightest, setting up the tone perfectly. There are also a lot of visual novel style CGs and cutscenes done with gorgeous animated pixel art that give off some really powerful visuals.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics are praised for their charming art style and powerful visuals, featuring a mix of gloomy atmospheres and vibrant colors that enhance the game's tone. The animated pixel art and visual novel-style cutscenes contribute to a surrealist aesthetic reminiscent of early RPG Maker games, making the overall presentation both beautiful and impactful.

    • “The atmosphere for the most part is pretty gloomy, but there are sections where the unnamed feels safer, with colors popping at their brightest, perfectly setting the tone. There are also a lot of visual novel-style CGs and cutscenes done with gorgeous animated pixel art that deliver some really powerful visuals.”
    • “The charming art style, the music, the characters... everything was so full of life.”
    • “The art style totally nails the surrealist early RPG Maker vibe it's going for, and the writing tackles its subject matter in a tasteful way that doesn't dumb down the severity of the issues.”
    • “The atmosphere for the most part is pretty gloomy but there are sections where the unnamed feels safer where the colors pop up their brightest, setting up the tone perfectly. However, the graphics can feel inconsistent at times.”
    • “In the form of scripting, world design, and graphics, the game falls short in delivering a cohesive visual experience.”
    • “While the art style aims for a surrealist early RPG Maker vibe, the execution of the graphics leaves much to be desired, lacking the polish that could elevate the overall experience.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its realistic world and characters, impactful music, and poignant moments that resonate deeply with players. While some found certain routes emotionally challenging and the narrative intensely written with significant themes, others felt a lack of emotional engagement overall. The game effectively addresses complex issues like body dysphoria and transphobia, evoking feelings of helplessness that can be overcome with skillful play.

    • “The world and characters feel real, the music is great, and there are some heart-wrenching moments.”
    • “The ignore route was too emotionally difficult for me to go through, and that is a compliment.”
    • “Intensely, poetically written narrative that makes a pretty damn good political commentary as well as touching heavily on themes of body dysphoria and transphobia.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of satire and subtlety, effectively balancing lighthearted moments with heavier themes. Players appreciate the clever character writing and the ability to evoke laughter while addressing serious topics, creating a multifaceted emotional experience.

    • “The twists kept me on my toes, the satire kept me laughing, and the realism actually hurt.”
    • “Still, an outcry drew me in with its character writing, subtle humor, sound art and score, and tasteful handling of its topics.”
    • “It's cool, funny, heavy, nostalgic, and sad.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and unfulfilling, as battles lack rewarding experiences and the rhyming dialogue can obscure clarity. The absence of experience points further diminishes the motivation to engage in combat, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable RPG experience.

    • “I think that the premise is interesting; however, having all your enemies' dialogue in rhymes and prose means that it’s not always clear and can sometimes be tedious.”
    • “I mean, it's supposed to be an RPG similar to Final Fantasy that's clearly aping the visual style of Undertale, but there's no experience points, and the battles aren't rewarding to fight—only tedious at best.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers multiple endings, providing some replay value; however, inconsistent dialogue options can frustrate players, making it tedious to explore all paths, which may diminish overall replayability.

    • “It seems there are multiple endings, so there's a bit of replay value to it as well.”
    • “The game offers a variety of choices that can lead to different outcomes, making each playthrough feel unique.”
    • “With different character builds and strategies to explore, the replayability factor is quite high.”
    • “I think there are some things that frustrated me in terms of the gameplay mechanics, such as the dialogue options being inconsistent. Finding out if there was an exclusive dialogue option or a 'hidden' dialogue option basically requires going into every dialogue individually and testing out every path. The replayability of the game just wasn't high enough for me to go through that.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers highlight that the character development is deeply intertwined with the overall design elements, including character and world design, music, and themes, creating a resonant and immersive experience.

    • “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character's journey.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their growth feel authentic and impactful.”
    • “The way the game explores each character's backstory adds layers to their personalities, making every decision feel meaningful.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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