Beckett

About

"Beckett" is a single-player, point-and-click style game that explores the depths of reality and identity through a disturbing, psychological horror lens. The 3-hour experience, which has been compared to literature, theatre, and independent world cinema, invites players to question their existence and delve into a surrealist nightmare. Winner of the 2018 BAFTA Scotland Games category, "Beckett" promises to leave a lasting impression on those who dare to enter its dark and unforgiving world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

77%

Audience ScoreBased on 132 reviews

story12 positive mentions

grinding4 negative mentions

Beckett offers a unique audiovisual experience with striking visuals and a haunting soundtrack that enhances its dark themes.
The game is an experimental art piece that delves into deep existential themes, making it a thought-provoking experience for those who appreciate indie and art house games.
Many players found the narrative engaging and appreciated the artistic presentation, comparing it to a blend of literature and avant-garde cinema.

The storytelling is criticized for being unfocused and repetitive, with many themes presented at a surface level, leading to a tedious experience.
Some players found the gameplay lacking, describing it as more of a visual novel with minimal interaction rather than a traditional game, which may not appeal to everyone.
The overall tone is described as overwhelmingly bleak and nihilistic, which can be emotionally draining and may leave players feeling unsatisfied.

story
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
82%
4%
The story of the game is a surreal and abstract detective narrative centered on an aged detective named Beckett, who searches for a missing person in a dystopian world. While it explores deep themes such as trauma, mental illness, and loneliness, many reviewers found the storytelling to be unfocused and lacking in character engagement, resulting in a narrative that feels both overambitious and underdeveloped. Despite its artistic presentation and unique storytelling methods, the overall impact of the story left some players feeling detached and unsatisfied.
- “The story (a detective drama mostly) deals with topics of getting old, mental issues, trauma, the past, and the essence of reality itself.”
- “Bizarre and disturbing, the story is about Beckett, an aged detective who is tasked to find the whereabouts of a mentally ill man named Peregrin.”
- “Following a brilliant, dynamic assemblage, the story dissects the inner underworld of a bereaved man who only remains to keep the memories of his wishes alive.”
- “However, the storytelling is half-baked with too many ideas/themes and not enough focus on any of them for it to be worthwhile.”
- “Missing person's case aside, the main narrative pales in comparison to the spectres of loneliness, grief, and deep-seated trauma that haunt the protagonist's personal story.”
- “The story and characters won't compel you, and the presentation is too monochromatic and depressing for its own good.”
graphics
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
70%
7%
The graphics of "Beckett" are described as striking and artistically compelling, featuring a unique collage and multimedia aesthetic that blends gritty neo-noir elements with surreal visuals. While some reviewers appreciate the creativity and beauty of the visuals, others criticize them as jarring or lacking substance, suggesting that the dark aesthetic may overshadow the game's narrative depth. Overall, the game's visual presentation is seen as its most intriguing aspect, appealing to those who enjoy artistic and unconventional styles.
- “The visuals, while minimalist, are undeniably striking.”
- “If you enjoy a narrative game with beautiful, creative graphics, this is the game for you.”
- “The visual presentation is without doubt the most interesting part of the game, a strangely compelling world created from a surreal collage of photos, artwork, film, and 3D elements.”
- “The visuals are bad and the audio will make you kill yourself.”
- “A pointless and overwrought visual novel, which embraces a mid-century visual aesthetic and text derivative of boroughs, Kafka and others.”
- “It relies whole cloth on sharp, jarring visuals that are so clearly desperate in their attempt to make sure that you understand that they're symbolic and this is all a very good metaphor.”
gameplay
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
81%
8%
The gameplay in "Beckett" is characterized by its simplicity and limited mechanics, primarily revolving around point-and-click interactions to advance the narrative. While some players appreciate the originality and meaningful moments, many find the gameplay tedious and lacking in depth, often comparing it to reading a book rather than engaging in a traditional gaming experience. Despite its minimalistic approach, the game offers a reflective and immersive atmosphere that resonates with its themes.
- “While limited in its mechanics, Beckett offers moments of genuine originality.”
- “It's a grim fantasy that carries with it a breadth of commentary on modern society and manages to keep it interesting with a constant change in the gameplay.”
- “The ease of interactivity lets you glide through the narrative, making it akin to reading a book, while the prose is presented within visual backdrops that allow you to read and digest the meaning of this bleak and thoughtful surreal world that is called Beckett. The synthesis of the sound, words, moving images, and gameplay combine to give an immersive experience unlike any other.”
- “If you're seeking a gameplay-driven experience or a glimmer of hope, look elsewhere.”
- “There is little to no gameplay and few choices to make.”
- “The gameplay is tedious to boot.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
44%
19%
The music in the game is widely praised for its superb quality and ability to enhance the oppressive atmosphere, featuring a distinct and abstract style. Reviewers note its evocative nature and variety, with multimedia interactions that include sound clips and visual elements that synchronize with the soundtrack. Overall, many express a preference for listening to the music over engaging with the gameplay itself.
- “The soundtrack is superb, perfectly complementing the oppressive atmosphere.”
- “Musically, as well as visually, it is distinct and abstract.”
- “I found the music to be especially evocative.”
- “In his quest to find the missing misanthrope, he visits a play which makes no sense, several bars and cafes where people bury themselves in sleaze and small talk, and eventually to an industrial rave where the music blots out the ability to think.”
- “Honestly, I would much rather listen to the soundtrack than play this game.”
- “While the text is threadbare and often uninspired, it's at least displayed with a hefty dose of panache and supported by a decent array of visual flourishes such as rotatable 3D models, real-life photography, and prompts that synchronize with the music.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
The game's atmosphere is described as oppressive and nightmarish, effectively enhanced by a superb soundtrack and immersive visuals. Players feel gradually enveloped in this unsettling environment, reminiscent of the works of Beckett and Kafka, despite the absence of traditional jump scares. Overall, the atmosphere is a key strength, drawing players into a haunting experience.
- “The soundtrack is superb, perfectly complementing the oppressive atmosphere.”
- “No jumpscare, but like black ink spreads in water, slowly and gradually you get sunk into that atmosphere.”
- “You are thrown into a well-written nightmarish atmosphere which indeed reminded me of the fictional worlds of Beckett and Kafka.”
- “Short of the story, this game builds atmosphere with visuals and sound effects, and it made me want to gouge my ears out.”
- “You are thrown into a well-written nightmarish atmosphere that indeed reminded me of the fictional worlds of Beckett and Kafka.”
- “No jumpscare, but like black ink spreading in water, you slowly and gradually get sunk into that atmosphere.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game "Beckett" elicits mixed reactions; while some players find it harrowing and surprisingly impactful, others feel it can be emotionally draining and ultimately unfulfilling. Despite its visually striking presentation, the narrative's attempts at emotional depth may not resonate with everyone, though it does encourage self-awareness and empathy in some players.
- “As harrowing as this game can be (and I was genuinely surprised at how emotionally affecting the experience was), perhaps the one definite positive that can come from playing 'Beckett' is that it might encourage players to be that little bit more self-aware and a little more empathetic to the world around them.”
- “If this is rooted in the emotional truth of the creators, I can hope they were able to grow beyond what is portrayed here.”
- “Visually striking and emotionally resonating, but the thing that the story tries to do falls flat, in my eyes.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay experience.
- “It's tedious to play through.”
- “The gameplay is tedious to boot.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of self-aggrandizing dialogue and black humor, which some players found overwhelming. To cope, one player resorted to using funny accents while reading the text, indicating that the humor may not resonate well with everyone.
- “Towards the end of the game, the only way I could finish was to apply various funny accents to the text, just so it would stop feeling so painfully self-aggrandizing.”
- “And there is black humor.”