Barbotine
- February 21, 2024
- Alex Rassloff
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Get on itch.io Store"Barbotine" is a short, horror action game that can be played for free or donated to on itch.io. The single-player game features 7 levels of progressively distorting environments and a tense melee combat system against a unique enemy. The game also includes the feature to dig a big hole and features music sampled from freesound.org. The game is designed to be completed in one sitting, with minimal replay value and no save system.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game effectively captures themes of alienation and social anxiety, creating a relatable experience for many players.
- It nails the PS1 aesthetic with great art style and atmosphere, making it visually appealing for fans of retro horror.
- The combat mechanics, while basic, are satisfying and could be expanded into a more developed gameplay experience in future titles.
- The game is very short, lasting only about 15-20 minutes, which some players feel is not worth the price tag.
- There is a lack of substantial narrative or depth, leading some to view it more as a proof of concept than a complete game.
- Combat can be frustrating due to poor mechanics and animation locks, making it feel tedious at times.
- graphics34 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are predominantly praised for their nostalgic PS1 aesthetic, with many reviewers appreciating the low poly art style and atmospheric design that effectively evokes a sense of horror. While some find the visuals to be basic and lacking in depth, the overall execution of the retro aesthetic, combined with good sound design, contributes to an engaging experience. Despite mixed feelings about the substance of the game, the graphics are generally seen as a strong point that enhances the mood and atmosphere.
“The ps1 aesthetic is nostalgic.”
“I love the PSX-style graphics.”
“The retro aesthetic was really nice, one of the more enjoyable choices of textures that I have seen recently, even the darkness distance was used nicely which I don't see very often, with a few good psychological effects like making the previous location different.”
“I have to say I'm getting pretty tired of playing horror games with a PSX aesthetic.”
“The visuals are base level horror: body, blood, your character slowly going mad.”
“The PS1 aesthetic is nostalgic.”
- music21 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising its engaging and catchy nature. While some noted that the ending track felt out of place, the overall soundtrack is described as surprisingly good, enhancing the game's aesthetic and gameplay experience. The combination of great themes and immersive sound design contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“The soundtrack was surprisingly good.”
“Loved the premise, the execution, the music, and the overall feel of the game.”
“Great themes, art, and music with surprisingly fun and satisfying combat.”
“Ending music was kind of out of place, but it was nice.”
“[spoiler] until that soundtrack hits, seriously, why?”
“The music sucks you in and doesn't let go.”
- gameplay19 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this short psychological horror game is characterized by basic mechanics and a nostalgic PS1 style, offering simple yet enjoyable combat that many players found solid and promising. While the game is brief, it is considered worth the price, with some players expressing a desire for more developed gameplay elements to enhance the experience. Overall, it provides a fun and straightforward horror experience without frustrating mechanics or heavy-handed storytelling.
“Simple but fun gameplay.”
“The fighting mechanics, although the game is short, are pretty solid and fun.”
“It was very short, but for $2.99, it's a great help to the developer; there weren't any annoying mechanics or in-your-face storytelling.”
“Honestly, I think the combat mechanics are so solid that they could easily be expanded into a longer game.”
- story15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of clarity and depth, with many players finding it ambiguous and difficult to understand. While some appreciate the abstract nature of the narrative, others feel it leaves them with no substantial context or message to engage with. Overall, the storytelling is minimal and often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics.
“While the goals set before you are fairly straightforward, the story itself is a bit more abstract and implied.”
“The ending and the plot felt completely ambiguous, which is a good thing sometimes, but in this case, I thought you would give me something to at least speculate on. As it stands, I have no clue what the game was about, even though I was interested in the events.”
“[b]A little story that's just creepy enough to make it stick ^^[/b]”
“Eventually there is some combat (right click to stun enemies, left click to kill them once stunned), but there's little to no story, let alone even a shred of some kind of narrative or message.”
“The ending and the plot felt completely ambiguous which is a good thing sometimes, but in this case, I thought you would give me something to at least speculate. As it stands, I have no clue what the game was about, even though I was interested in the events.”
“I can't explain the story since I didn't understand it, but I can't recommend it enough.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its rich, immersive qualities, drawing inspiration from classic horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers note its effective blend of art style and environmental design, creating a spooky yet enjoyable experience, though some mention it lacks true scares. Overall, the atmosphere is described as fun, engaging, and well-suited for a short horror experience.
“The environment is atmospheric, drawing influence from the classic Silent Hill series.”
“A short-but-sweet light-horror experience, with a rich atmosphere and a simple but challenging combat system that doesn't overstay its welcome.”
“Great atmosphere, fun, spooky, pretty, and just challenging enough.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and frustrating, particularly due to issues like animation lock that can make combat feel unfair.
“I wasn't a big fan of the combat; it was kind of tedious and unfair for me due to animation lock (I think that's what it's called).”
