Attentat 1942
- July 29, 2020
- Charles Games
- 2h median play time
"Attentat 1942" is a narrative-driven video game that delves into the events of World War II and the Czech resistance against the Nazi occupation. Players uncover historical accounts through interactive comics, mini-games, and interviews with survivors. The game aims to educate and immerse players in a captivating storyline while preserving the memories of those who experienced the war firsthand.
Reviews
- Attentat 1942 offers a unique and engaging perspective on World War II, focusing on the civilian experience in Czechoslovakia, which is often overlooked in traditional history narratives.
- The combination of live-action interviews, animated sequences, and mini-games creates an immersive educational experience that effectively conveys the emotional weight of the historical events.
- The game is well-crafted with strong storytelling, excellent voice acting, and a comprehensive encyclopedia that enhances the learning experience for players interested in history.
- The gameplay is minimal and can feel more like an interactive documentary than a traditional game, which may disappoint players looking for more engaging mechanics.
- The coin system for replaying interviews can be frustrating, as it limits players' ability to explore all dialogue options and gather information in a single playthrough.
- Some players may find the pacing slow and the overall experience lacking in replayability, as the game is relatively short and does not offer significant variation in outcomes.
- story177 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Attentat 1942" is a poignant exploration of personal experiences during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, told through a mix of live-action interviews and animated sequences. Players engage in a detective-like journey, uncovering their grandfather's past and the difficult choices faced by civilians during WWII, which evokes empathy and provides historical context. While the narrative is compelling and well-structured, some players feel that the interactivity could be deeper, as choices often lack significant impact on the overall story progression.
“It's light on gameplay, but offers a fascinating story that's well put together.”
“The story and the characters are captivating and will motivate you to keep gathering info to uncover what really happened.”
“The story is incredibly engaging and you feel like you can't put it down... you just have to figure out what happens.”
“There are not many decisions to take, there is no challenge at all and there is no real main story.”
“Although you will learn some people's personal stories, the main story (where they all connect) is shallow and not interesting at all.”
“The main story does not manage to keep you interested.”
- gameplay44 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Attentat 1942" is minimal and primarily revolves around selecting dialogue options during interviews, with some short minigames interspersed. While it offers a compelling narrative and educational insights into World War II, many players find the lack of engaging gameplay and replayability disappointing. Overall, the game prioritizes storytelling and historical accuracy over traditional gameplay mechanics, which may not appeal to all players.
“Gameplay takes the form of interviews, during which you discover the story of your grandparents and people they got to know, who were affected by these historical events in the most horrible ways. The game is based on historical research and real testimonies, however, the characters in the game are played by actors and the story is fictional.”
“The gameplay is largely branching dialogue trees and video/animation with a few minigames that don't feel too trivial, including a clever 'stitch together the sentence' approach to some scenarios.”
“It is captivating from start to finish, with varied gameplay elements scattered throughout and offers some replayability.”
“The minimal gameplay and lack of replayability is probably going to be a turnoff for some, and that's fair, but I think this does a very good job at presenting a part of World War II that many people don't know about.”
“There's basically no proper 'gameplay,' and what little there is has very little explanation.”
“The gameplay consists of selecting options during interviews and some really short minigames.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its deeply emotional storytelling, offering a heartfelt exploration of Czechoslovakian experiences during the Nazi occupation in World War II. Players find it thought-provoking and educational, often feeling a strong emotional connection to the characters and their stories, which are enhanced by the use of real historical footage. While some note its brevity, the overall consensus is that it presents a unique and touching narrative experience that transcends traditional gaming.
“Feels almost wrong to refer to it as a game, because one gets the impression that the experiences shared here are so intensely personal and sometimes heart-wrenching.”
“I got emotionally involved with the people and the story, and at the same time I learned a lot about the situation in the Czech Republic during the German occupation.”
“While the game can be a little short, it's full of touching stories that cover one of the darkest chapters of human history.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the motivation to unlock additional information and explore the narrative further, many find the minimal gameplay and short duration limit its long-term appeal. For those particularly interested in the historical context or specific story elements, revisiting the game may enhance the experience, but others may see little reason to replay it frequently.
“There is also a level of replayability to unlock all encyclopedia entries and information, as some of this is not mandatory to complete the game. However, for those interested, especially in the Jelínek family, I highly recommend going back for the full experience.”
“It is captivating from start to finish, with varied gameplay elements scattered throughout and offers some replayability.”
“Replayability motivates players to unlock more information.”
“The minimal gameplay and lack of replayability is probably going to be a turnoff for some, and that's fair. However, I think this does a very good job at presenting a part of World War II that many people don't know about.”
“It has very small duration and no real replay value.”
“Replay value is low -- maybe once a year, when you're due for a reality check.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as both harrowing and serious, effectively conveying the gravity of war and historical events. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and immersive storytelling, others feel the atmosphere does not compensate for gameplay shortcomings. Overall, the atmosphere is noted for its ability to evoke strong emotions and provide a deeper understanding of the themes presented.
“They had only a basic view of the historical events from books and school, but the game provided us with not only information but also a great atmosphere, an understandable storyline, and real-life stories that stick to the memory, open emotions, and most of all, an understanding of the difficult choices and events.”
“They are more atmospheric than the real footages.”
“I liked the calm, serious atmosphere, which is very appropriate for the topic.”
“As much as it saddens me to give this game a negative review, considering the gravity of the themes and the harrowing atmosphere of war, I can't say I actually liked the gameplay nor do I find it engaging.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; while many praise the overall soundscape and highlight the contributions of the artist dva, some find the tracks less memorable, with the exception of the credits song. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated, with some players expressing a desire for it to be available for download.
“I must give particular praise to the sound - the music and overall soundscape was terrific from start to finish.”
“The music wasn't that memorable, except for the credits song, but it was all right.”
“The game features the music of DVA, whom many will know through their work with Amanita Design.”
“I also really dug the soundtrack; I wish it was available to download!”
- graphics8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics are described as unobtrusive yet visually appealing, showcasing a strong attention to detail. They blend elements of an interactive graphical novel with historical references, complemented by well-executed artwork and sound design.
“It falls somewhere between an interactive graphical novel and a historical reference.”
“Unobtrusive, yet eye-pleasing graphics with a lot of love for detail.”
“But the artwork, both visually and sonically, is well done.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally well-received, with clear footage and sound enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the strong acting performances, which contribute to the game's immersive portrayal of civil rights struggles, although some mention that the visuals could be improved.
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be extremely tedious, particularly when aiming for 100% completion, as it often involves lengthy audio tapes that can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
“It was extremely tedious to complete it to 100% and get all the information.”
“I will say that some parts were a bit tedious to get through as you listened to audio tapes for a few minutes, but that's my only critique.”