An enjoyable game with a clearly defined style, pleasing audio and satisfying puzzles. However, it's also incredibly short and offers no incentive to replay. Sitting very firmly in a niche category, Arrog will appeal to few, but if this kind of game is your bag then give it a go, if only once.
Get on Steam"Arrog is a single-player adventure game with good graphics, featuring a 30-minute narrative experience about a man accepting his death through surreal, black-and-white dreams, accentuated by color and traditional animation, and a hand-crafted soundtrack. Support the developers' next title, Tunche, on Steam."
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Reviews
- Beautiful hand-drawn visuals and soothing sound design create a captivating atmosphere.
- Offers a unique and contemplative experience that explores themes of life, death, and rebirth.
- Short playtime of around 30 minutes makes it a quick, enjoyable escape for those seeking a relaxing experience.
- Gameplay is minimal with very simple puzzles, leading to a lack of challenge and interactivity.
- The game is very short, with some players feeling it lacks sufficient content for the price.
- The narrative may feel vague or underdeveloped, leaving players wanting more context and emotional connection.
- story24 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "Arrog" is a poignant exploration of life, death, and acceptance, conveyed through a blend of art and sound rather than traditional narrative. While some players found the storytelling to be simple and occasionally vague, many appreciated its emotional depth and the way it intertwined with the gameplay, despite the puzzles being relatively easy. Overall, the game is characterized by its artistic presentation and a wistful atmosphere, though some reviewers expressed a desire for a more developed narrative and complex gameplay elements.
“What a lovely story told through an interactive experience.”
“Arrog is a wonderful, little game which tells a story of life, death, and rebirth through visually charming puzzles and a curious, wistful aesthetic.”
“It's a Ghibli-esque story about misfortune, the cycle of life and death, and both celebrating and mourning for it.”
“It's very pretty, but the puzzles are extremely easy and there isn't really any story.”
“I wish there was a bit more build-up before the story happens, more background for the individual so we could sympathize with him.”
“I'm not sure if I understood the entire story, but it made sense to me in bits and pieces, about life coming a full circle, and where death isn't merely an occasion for sorrow.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning hand-drawn art style and unique binary-color visuals, creating an immersive and captivating experience. Many reviewers highlight the artwork as the standout feature, describing it as inspiring and beautifully complementing the game's narrative. While the visuals are celebrated, some players feel that the emotional connection to the story could be stronger.
“Fortunately, it's a very good interactive art piece, featuring wondrously surreal hand-drawn visuals that explore the cycle of death and rebirth.”
“It does a great job at it too, with striking visuals that marry simplistic drawings with a binary-color art style.”
“Arrog is a wonderful, little game which tells a story of life, death, and rebirth through visually charming puzzles and a curious, wistful aesthetic.”
“Arrog is a game with 2D black and white graphics and a soothing accompanying soundtrack.”
“I’m a sucker for hand-drawn art in games and Arrog has a very simple but captivating art style.”
“The artwork and sound design are on another level, the puzzles didn't seem to relate to the story very well however I thoroughly enjoyed the plot.”
- music13 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and immersive qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a delightful and ambient soundtrack that complements the visuals beautifully. Reviewers note that the sound design effectively creates a dreamlike atmosphere, although some felt it lacked emotional depth in relation to the narrative. Overall, the combination of lovely music and appealing animations makes it a recommended choice for those who appreciate artistic games.
“The soundtrack is great and relies on ambient sounds played at the perfect moment to make the experience more immersive.”
“The music is soothing and calm, sometimes even sad, as if it’s conveying the confusion and longing the man experiences during his last venture.”
“The sound effects and music lull you into the dreamlike state the game is trying to bring you to, and it does it well.”
“The game lasts around 30 to 40 minutes, which is more than enough time to get addicted to the flavorful combination of the music, the ambience, and animation.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Arrog is minimal and primarily consists of simplistic puzzles that offer achievements tied to symbolism, but lacks depth and innovation. Players note that while the mechanics are easy to grasp, the overall experience is short, with only about 20-25 minutes of actual gameplay, leading to a perception of being overpriced for the content provided. Overall, the game prioritizes story over gameplay, resulting in a lack of engaging mechanics.
“Gameplay includes simplistic but fun puzzles.”
“Better puzzles, better storytelling, and better gameplay mechanisms.”
“The gameplay is not hard and is easy to understand.”
“Gameplay is not really present; you have to click around at a couple of puzzles, each rewarding you with an achievement that explains the symbolism a bit.”
“This is a story-first, gameplay-maybe-later type of game.”
“Would have been nice to know it was a short game; well, 'short' is being polite. It took me 33 minutes, including the intro where you don't play and the ending, so probably only 20-25 minutes of actual gameplay. Overpriced at $1.88; I've played longer and better free games.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively engages players emotionally, particularly through its bittersweet narrative, though some users felt a lack of connection to the character diminished the emotional impact. Overall, it offers a compelling experience for those seeking emotional depth, while others may find it lacking in character development.
“And in my case, the game succeeded in investing me emotionally in this story about an individual I know so little about.”
“If you’re looking for an emotional and bittersweet experience, I can recommend Arrog, and I can’t wait to see what the developers do next.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a slow pace and rich, evocative symbolism, creating a deeply immersive experience that can feel both heavy and erratic.
“A slow-paced, atmospheric game filled with heavy, almost erratic symbolism.”
“The ambiance is hauntingly beautiful, drawing you into its mysterious world.”
“Every sound and visual element contributes to an immersive atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users note that "arrog" offers limited replayability, with only about half an hour of playtime, positioning it more as an interactive art piece with puzzles than a traditional game.
“With around half an hour of playtime and no real replay value, Arrog is more of an interactive art piece with puzzles rather than a full game.”
Critic Reviews
Arrog Review - A Charming Puzzler Short Enough To Squeeze Into A Coffee Break
An enjoyable game with a clearly defined style, pleasing audio and satisfying puzzles. However, it's also incredibly short and offers no incentive to replay. Sitting very firmly in a niche category, Arrog will appeal to few, but if this kind of game is your bag then give it a go, if only once.
75%Arrog Review
60%Arrog Review – Full Circle (PS4)
80%
