Atlas Wept

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 25 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • emotional
Atlas Wept Game Cover
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"Atlas Wept" is a humanist retro-style RPG that follows two separate casts of characters on their own quests, with interconnected stories and themes of sincerity and empathy. The game features turn-based combat with bullet hell style dodge mechanics, as well as a variety of unique enemies. Players must fight to uncover the mystery of the entity holding up the ground beneath their feet.

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Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 25 reviews
story11 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The game features a surprisingly deep and meaningful story that resonates with themes of loss, happiness, and self-discovery, drawing players in emotionally.
  • The characters are well-written and relatable, with humorous and poignant dialogue that reflects their youthful perspectives.
  • The combat system is engaging, combining elements from various RPGs while allowing players to adjust difficulty settings to suit their preferences.
  • The battle mechanics can become repetitive and some encounters feel drawn out, which may detract from the overall experience.
  • There are noticeable typos and simplistic dialogue that could benefit from further editing and refinement.
  • The game world and maps are relatively simple and lack detail, which can make exploration feel less immersive.
  • story24 mentions

    The game's story is praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and engaging characters, drawing comparisons to the Earthbound/Mother series while establishing its own unique narrative about loss, happiness, and perseverance. Reviewers highlight the effective pacing and intriguing plot twists, with many expressing a strong emotional connection to the storytelling, despite some noting minor confusion in the narrative. Overall, the story is considered a standout aspect, elevating the game beyond its gameplay mechanics.

    • “Atlas Wept has obvious influence from the EarthBound/Mother series with its overall style, featuring similar wackiness, particularly towards the end of the game; however, it distinguishes itself through its world-building and story of loss, happiness, conflict, and perseverance.”
    • “The story feels intensely personal, like the developers were bursting at the seams to tell it, and I feel all the better for having experienced it.”
    • “This is a great game with a beautiful story that had me on the verge of tears at moments.”
    • “Some of the storyline was a little confusing at first, but it kept me intrigued enough to want to finish it.”
    • “One piece of advice I got in school is that the more times a story tells its themes, the worse it is.”
    • “I wanted maybe about another two hours worth of plot and maybe some side quest stuff.”
  • gameplay7 mentions

    The gameplay is a mixed experience, drawing inspiration from titles like Mother 3, Undertale, and Touhou, blending shmup/bullet hell with turn-based RPG elements. While some mechanics, such as the stagger system, are praised for their innovation, battles can feel repetitive and drawn out, and the world design lacks depth, often feeling like a series of disconnected segments. Overall, players may find the gameplay engaging yet flawed, with varying levels of challenge depending on their familiarity with the genre.

    • “Intriguing world inspired by mythology, touching story, and engaging mix of shmup/bullet hell and turn-based RPG gameplay.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, this game is heavily inspired by Mother 3, Undertale, and Touhou.”
    • “On a gameplay level, Final Fantasy XIII is one of my favorite games ever, and I was surprised to see a game remix some of its mechanics (namely the stagger system) in such an innovative way.”
    • “It's not perfect; the battle mechanics get a bit tired by the end, and some of the battles really feel like they drag on.”
    • “Gameplay was admittedly a mixed bag; I have never played a real Touhou game, so I struggled with every new attack, but it was strangely easy even though I wasn't good at dodging. I eventually upped the difficulty after both parties got four members; I think my problem was that I could carry too many healing items.”
    • “For the maps: they are largely too bland, and it rarely feels like Septimus is an actual world but rather just gameplay segments put together for you to go through.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Players report a deeply emotional experience, with many highlighting the game's touching story and character relationships, particularly the bond between the protagonists. The blend of mythology-inspired world-building and engaging gameplay evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears, making it one of the most emotionally impactful games they've encountered.

    • “I knew I was in for something special when the trailer made me cry.”
    • “Her relationship to Dezi is also very cute, and everything about them made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.”
    • “It's just... the only game I've had anywhere near this emotional of a reaction to was Jimmy & the Pulsating Mass, and that was just depressing emotional gut punches.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in the game is a standout feature, with characters having unique songs that enhance gameplay and emotional moments, such as a moving title track during battles. Players appreciate the integration of different musical styles, including jazz, and the seamless transition between battle themes and exploration music. However, some users feel that while the music is beautiful, it may not consistently match the overall quality of the game's other elements.

    • “Singing is an option in battle, and each song has an effect, costing no resources—just the action. Singing the same song in consecutive actions boosts the effects.”
    • “I loved the music a lot; there was a jazz battle track, and there was one moment where the title track played over a fight that got me teary.”
    • “Beautiful story, fun combat, terrible soundtrack.”
    • “Most party members of the second party know a song as part of their being; extra-diegetically, it's the character's motif.”
    • “Love how parts of the soundtrack are interpolated for battles and then back to the original when exploring.”
  • graphics3 mentions

    The graphics are characterized by a quirky 16-bit style reminiscent of Earthbound, featuring a lovely art style and engaging dialogues. Reviewers appreciate the unique visual presentation, which complements the fun combat system and overall gameplay experience.

    • “Lovely art style and dialogues.”
    • “The game's got a fun combat system with a unique and fun art style with a lot to offer.”
    • “Graphics 3/5: quirky 16-bit, this is the only thing that it has in common with EarthBound.”
    • “Graphics 3/5: Quirky 16-bit style, but this is the only thing it has in common with EarthBound.”
    • “The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
    • “Character designs are uninspired and the environments are bland, making the game visually unappealing.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of childish dialogue and mature insights, creating a unique dynamic that resonates with players. The characters' awareness of their youth adds an intentional comedic element, making their interactions both funny and meaningful. This combination of naivety and maturity enhances the overall charm of the dialogue.

    • “The characters know they are kids, so some more childish dialogue makes sense and can be intentionally humorous at times.”
    • “Many games have children and young teens cast as the heroines and heroes, but this cast has a maturity coupled with their child-like wonder that makes the dialogue funny and poignant.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Replayability is rated 3/5, indicating that it can be enjoyable to revisit the game after some time, particularly for players interested in uncovering missed content or mastering combat mechanics. However, the motivation to replay may vary based on individual preferences.

    • “Replayability 3/5: Depending on your desire to cover what you missed or master the combat, it would be worth a sit down a few months or a year down the line.”
    • “Replayability 3/5: Depending on your desire to cover what you missed or master the combat, it might be worth a sit down a few months or a year down the line.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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