Beckett
- February 27, 2018
- The Secret Experiment
Get on Steam"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.
Reviews
- Beckett offers a unique audiovisual experience with striking visuals and a haunting soundtrack that enhances its dark themes.
- The game is a deeply introspective exploration of grief, mental illness, and existential despair, resonating with players who appreciate art house narratives.
- Its experimental approach and artistic presentation make it a compelling choice for those seeking unconventional storytelling in gaming.
- The storytelling is often criticized for being unfocused and overly abstract, leaving players feeling disconnected from the narrative.
- Gameplay is minimal, with little interactivity beyond clicking through text, which can lead to a tedious experience for those expecting more traditional game mechanics.
- Many players find the themes and aesthetics to be pretentious or nihilistic, making it a challenging experience that may not resonate with a broader audience.
- story42 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story is a surreal and abstract detective narrative that explores heavy themes such as trauma, loneliness, and mental illness, but suffers from a lack of focus and character depth, leaving many players feeling detached. While it employs unique storytelling techniques and artistic visuals, the overall execution is seen as pretentious and unengaging, with a plot that feels more like a series of disjointed vignettes than a cohesive narrative. Despite its artistic ambition, the game may not resonate with everyone, particularly those seeking a compelling or satisfying storyline.
“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.”
“The story and characters won't compel you, and the presentation is too monochromatic and depressing for its own good.”
“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.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Beckett" are a polarizing aspect, with some praising its striking, minimalist, and artistic visuals that evoke a gritty, neo-noir aesthetic reminiscent of late 1990s films, while others criticize them as jarring and lacking substance. The game employs a unique collage and multimedia style that creates a compelling atmosphere, though opinions vary on whether this approach enhances or detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are seen as the standout feature, showcasing a blend of beauty and discomfort that aligns with the game's thematic elements.
“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.”
“I think that they use the 'dark and unsettling' aesthetic to mask the fact there is no substance to any of the ideas they present.”
“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.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "beckett" is characterized by its simplicity and limited mechanics, primarily revolving around point-and-click interactions that advance the narrative. While some players appreciate the clever and meaningful moments, such as unique mechanics that enhance the experience, many find the gameplay tedious and lacking in depth, often feeling more like a contemplative reading experience than a traditional game. Overall, it offers a blend of immersive storytelling and reflective commentary, but may not satisfy those seeking a more gameplay-driven experience.
“While limited in its mechanics, Beckett offers moments of genuine originality.”
“But the game has some really clever and meaningful mechanics too, one of my favorites being when you need to protect your brain with a breakout-like 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.”
“Outside of clicking to progress to the next segment of incredibly bland, uninviting, fake-deep prose, the gameplay consists of slowly left and right-clicking to move a bar, and holding down left click to rotate or move something in that direction.”
- music8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its superb quality and ability to enhance the oppressive atmosphere, featuring a distinct and abstract style. While the gameplay may lack depth, the soundtrack stands out as evocative and engaging, often overshadowing the game's other elements. The integration of multimedia interactions with the music adds to the overall experience, making it a highlight for many players.
“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 that 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.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a superb soundtrack that enhances its oppressive and nightmarish qualities, drawing players into a gradually immersive experience. While it lacks traditional jumpscares, the visuals and sound effects effectively create a haunting environment reminiscent of the works of Beckett and Kafka. Overall, the atmosphere is both compelling and unsettling, leaving a lasting impact on players.
“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.”
“No jumpscare, but like black ink spreading in water, slowly and gradually you get sunk into that atmosphere.”
“Short of the story, this game builds atmosphere with visuals and sound effects that 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.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed reactions; while some players find it harrowing and surprisingly impactful, others feel it can be draining and ultimately unfulfilling. Despite its visually striking presentation, the story's emotional depth may not resonate with everyone, leading to a sense of disconnection for some players. However, it does encourage self-awareness and empathy, which is seen as a positive takeaway.
“If this is rooted in the emotional truth of the creators, I can hope they were able to grow beyond what is portrayed here.”
“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.”
“Visually striking and emotionally resonating, but the thing that the story tries to do falls flat, in my eyes.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unenjoyable, contributing to an overall sense of monotony in the gameplay experience.
“It's tedious to play through.”
“The gameplay is tedious to boot.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of self-aware, often self-deprecating elements, with players resorting to funny accents to cope with its self-aggrandizing tone. Additionally, the presence of black humor adds a darker comedic layer to the experience.
“Towards the end of the game, the only way I could finish it was by applying various funny accents to the text, just so it would stop feeling so painfully self-aggrandizing.”
“And there is black humor.”
