BARK
- September 16, 2022
- vano
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"BARK is a single-player action game providing 6 hours of playtime, classified as psychological/survival, stealth, horror. Players experience the world through the eyes of an abused dog, focusing on realism and emotion, with a high difficulty level to simulate the dog's struggles. The game encourages strategic thinking, planning, and emotional involvement in its sad and unfortunate narrative."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and powerful experience from a dog's perspective, effectively conveying themes of anxiety and animal abuse.
- Gameplay is challenging and engaging, with a variety of ways to approach levels and plenty of collectibles to find, enhancing replay value.
- The sound design and atmosphere are well-executed, contributing to the horror elements and emotional impact of the story.
- The game has a steep learning curve and can be frustrating due to its difficulty, particularly for casual gamers or those unfamiliar with stealth mechanics.
- There are numerous bugs and AI issues that can disrupt gameplay, including problems with hiding mechanics and object interactions.
- Exploration can feel aimless and tedious, especially in larger areas where objectives are hard to locate, leading to a lack of direction.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as challenging and frustrating, particularly for casual gamers, with mechanics that can feel incoherent and hinder immersion. While some players appreciate the unique experience and thematic elements, many criticize the reliance on RNG, poor AI, and repetitive sections that detract from enjoyment. Overall, the game offers a powerful narrative but suffers from gameplay issues that may not justify its price.
“It definitely is not an easy game by any means, but once I understood the mechanics, I had a blast.”
“Mechanics feel nice; you do sometimes get immersed and feel like you are in the skin of a dog with anxiety.”
“I think it's honestly a very powerful experience that is kind of hindered by some of the gameplay.”
“This game reeks of a Dark Souls 'git good scrub' attitude from the dev. I've seen based on the comments he's made to negative reviews criticizing the frustrating gameplay where you have to replay small sections over and over to not die in an RNG sequence, and it isn't exactly encouraging for anyone who has a distaste for that style of game.”
“So... don't get me wrong, I like the message of the game, I do, but when the game, which costs 20 euros, has boring gameplay, incoherent mechanics, poor AI, bugs, and RNG?”
“I barked and it instakilled me. I got the owner stuck while I was in the bathroom part. The pathing of the AI is terrible, and while the gameplay was fun in the beginning, it got frustrating. I would try to turn off the sensing to bark, but it wouldn't register my inputs. And why... why in the name of all that is holy, can you only sense when the meter is full again?”
- story10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is praised for its engaging narrative, particularly in addressing themes like animal abuse, which resonates with players. While some players appreciate the depth and background details woven into the gameplay, others express a desire for clearer choices and accessibility options to enhance their experience. Overall, the story is seen as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact.
“10/10 story, easily, and a conversation about animal abuse that I really think needs to be more present.”
“I've noticed some interesting story going on in the background, like the playground out back, the extra bedroom, and even the wrecked painting room.”
“For story, you are literally playing a dog with anxiety.”
“But I haven't really figured out what those choices are and how they alter the story and endings.”
“There is a backstory around the setup as well which you occasionally hear on the radio, which adds a nice layer of depth to the story.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the point system and the abundance of achievements that encourage multiple playthroughs, others criticize the lack of discoverable content and mechanics that hinder exploration, suggesting that the game may not be engaging enough for repeated plays.
“The replay value is very good for a first game; I actually enjoy the point system and how it assists in leveling up my dog's abilities.”
“There are plenty of achievements to unlock, adding to the replay value.”
“If your community didn't find your third ending that you keep bragging about, it's not something to be proud of. It means your game isn't replayable enough or the mechanics are so bad that players can't discover everything in it. Think about this next time you try to shame someone in the reviews. I read most of the comments and wish I had read them all before buying the game.”
“The game lacks sufficient replay value, as there are not enough incentives to play through it multiple times.”
“Once you've completed the game, there isn't much motivation to go back and play it again.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been criticized for being frustrating and buggy, with some interactions leading to repetitive experiences. Despite these issues, players acknowledge that the game still achieves its intended goals.
“Frustrating, repetitive, and buggy.”
“The game is plagued by numerous bugs that disrupt the overall experience.”
“There are frequent crashes that make it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with particular praise for the end-of-level tracks, which are noted for their quality and appeal.
“The music is very nice and enhances the overall experience.”
“Particularly, the end-of-level music is memorable and adds to the excitement.”
“The end of the level music is particularly disappointing.”
“The music throughout the game lacks variety and becomes repetitive.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game deeply emotional, highlighting that its design effectively evokes strong feelings, which is a key aspect of the experience.
“Playing this game gets me super emotional, which is the point.”
“The story and characters really tug at my heartstrings.”
“I felt a deep connection to the characters, making their struggles feel personal.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for effectively delivering a chilling horror experience, with well-executed scares that enhance the overall tension and immersion.
“The horror aspect is perfectly executed, with scares and atmosphere that are spot on.”
“The game's atmosphere immerses you completely, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
“The haunting ambiance and detailed environments create a chilling atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
