Behind the Screen

About

"Behind The Screen" is a puzzle-based game with stealth and fighting elements, set in 1970s Taiwan during the end of Martial Law. Players delve into the memories of a suspected murderer to uncover the truth, while exploring themes of media's power in shaping public opinion and the dangers of judgment without knowing all the facts. The game features a unique art style and can be completed in 1-2 hours, with deeper thinking challenges beyond the solution.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews

emotional3 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a well-crafted and engrossing story that explores deep themes and emotional experiences.
The unique art style and aesthetic effectively complement the narrative, creating a memorable atmosphere.
Gameplay includes a variety of mechanics that, while simple, serve as effective narrative devices and keep the experience engaging.

The game is quite short, which may not justify the price for some players.
The fighting mechanics are repetitive and can feel luck-based, detracting from the overall experience.
The English translation has some issues, which may affect the clarity of the story for some players.

story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
54%
23%
The story is an engaging and intricately crafted interactive experience that follows a Taiwanese boy's formative years in the 1970s-80s, blending imaginative elements with deeper, darker themes. While the narrative is short, it effectively explores the complexities of perception versus reality, utilizing unique storytelling techniques and surreal visuals. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate puzzle-solving and short narratives.
- “The story is very well put together and pretty engrossing.”
- “The story takes you through the various stages in the life of a Taiwanese boy as he's growing up, and at each stage discovering the differences between reality and his perception of reality.”
- “Honestly, from the pictures, it just seemed like a bizarre fantasy game with a very imaginative child protagonist, but the story is much deeper and darker than I had imagined.”
- “The story has you experiencing the formative memories of a convicted murderer, but you learn that the story presented is not what it seems to be.”
- “This is a story focused on weird art and surreal moments.”
gameplay
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay features a variety of easy-to-learn mechanics, but the fighting system is a significant drawback that detracts from the overall experience. While the gameplay set pieces serve their narrative purpose effectively, the overall duration of 3 to 5 hours leaves a lasting impression that lingers well beyond the playtime.
- “There are a few different game mechanics that are easy to get acquainted with quickly.”
- “Even if it has 3 to 5 hours of gameplay, you will think about it for the next 10 hours.”
- “However, the fighting mechanic really lets it down.”
- “If the fighting mechanic was improved, it would really bring up the whole game.”
- “The gameplay set pieces, while basic, are meant as narrative devices, and do a pretty good job as such.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's graphics are praised for their charming aesthetic, reminiscent of old Taiwanese animated children's shows, which enhances the overall experience. While the visuals are described as cute and fitting for the game's narrative, the short length of the game leaves players wanting more.
- “Really nice short game with a cool aesthetic.”
- “The graphics are cute, the story is nice, but it is short and ends quickly.”
- “Anyone who has seen any old-style animated Taiwanese kids' shows will recognize the art style; it works really well, even the live-action videos were done in the style of that era.”
- “The graphics look outdated and remind me of early 2000s games, which is disappointing for a title released in 2023.”
- “The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making it hard to connect with the game.”
- “The environments feel bland and uninspired, lacking the depth and vibrancy expected from modern graphics.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The emotional aspect of the game is heavily influenced by the protagonist's tumultuous relationship with his father, characterized by emotional distance and abuse, which creates a poignant and often distressing narrative.
- “The game masterfully explores the theme of abuse within the protagonist's relationship with his father, who is both emotionally distant and abusive.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters is palpable, making their struggles and triumphs resonate deeply with the player.”
- “I was moved to tears by the heartfelt moments that captured the complexities of love and loss throughout the story.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised, with users consistently describing it as great.
- “Great music.”