Beyond a Total Loss

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 17 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • humor
Beyond a Total Loss Game Cover
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Beyond a Total Loss Beyond a Total Loss is darkly humorous 2D action-adventure game (with a dash of survival horror) . Story You play as a balding mustachioed dim-witted drunk called John Harry and you just drove your car off a cliff. Lost in the woods and attacked from all sides by strange vicious beasts, your prospects seem bleak. But then a local game warden comes to your rescue and of…

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 17 reviews
humor8 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features a quirky and absurd story that keeps players engaged with its dark humor and unexpected twists.
  • Gameplay mechanics, including inventory management and cocktail mixing, add depth and creativity to the experience.
  • The retro-inspired graphics and sound design evoke nostalgia for players familiar with classic adventure games from the late 80s and 90s.
  • Some players experienced bugs and issues with inventory management, which could disrupt gameplay.
  • The combat mechanics can be frustrating, particularly due to the character's inability to shoot and move simultaneously, leading to challenging encounters.
  • The game may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer more polished AAA titles or faster-paced gameplay.
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay is a mixed bag, featuring solid mechanics like cocktail-mixing and unique challenges that some players may find engaging, particularly those who enjoy timing-based combat. However, others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking production value, with a reliance on familiar mechanics that may not spark curiosity. Overall, while the humor and surreal elements are appreciated, the gameplay experience may not appeal to everyone.

    • “The core gameplay and presentation is solid and even manages to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
    • “I liked the cocktail-mixing mechanic; alcohol is an interesting mechanic: booze is your sole method of replenishing health, and it's often preferable to save ingredients until you can combine them into a beverage that provides a more significant effect.”
    • “There was quite some thought put into the challenges and the mechanics, and if you're into dodging blades or learning timings in combat, you might enjoy it.”
    • “There are a lot of games out there that look promising based on the gameplay and videos, but get quite repetitive and shallow in an hour or so.”
    • “There is just no production value, the same mechanics all over the place, and nothing out of the ordinary that would spark curiosity from the player.”
    • “I would have preferred more crisp checkpoints, but even then, it's not my kind of gameplay and it relies heavier and heavier on that.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics are described as amateurish and minimalist, featuring a pixel art style that evokes comparisons to indie games like "Lisa: The Painful" and the animated series "South Park." While some find the visuals to be trashy, they contribute to the game's unique charm and dark humor, aligning well with its low-budget, irreverent tone. Overall, the graphics may not be polished, but they effectively support the game's quirky atmosphere.

    • “Of course you must steer this torrente kind of guy through all kinds of hardships sprinkled with a good set of well-dosed dark humor, while you experience some proper background music that always supports the actual environment and, as you can see, some brave graphics.”
    • “Minimalist music and tongue-in-cheek pixel graphics lend a delightfully demented air to the proceedings.”
    • “I like the art style; it reminds me of 'Lisa: The Painful'.”
    • “The graphics are a bit amateurish, but the core gameplay and presentation is solid and even manages to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
    • “The graphic style is a bit trashy, but it has similarities with South Park.”
    • “It's about what you'd expect it to be based on the visuals, and is more or less what I love about indie games.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, absurdist comedy and lowbrow elements, creating a unique and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the well-timed funny dialogues and the commitment to a deadpan style, which adds depth to the gameplay despite its amateurish graphics. Overall, while the humor may not appeal to everyone, it is considered one of the standout features, making the game a recommended choice for fans of quirky, slower-paced adventures.

    • “The story is very lowbrow and doesn't take itself seriously, and while the graphics are a bit amateurish, the core gameplay and presentation are solid and even manage to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
    • “The setting is strange and full of genuinely funny and novel moments; like Lisa, I enjoyed how absurd the story was because I didn't know what would happen next.”
    • “Where the experience really shines is in the heavily deadpan commitment to a dark sense of absurdist humor.”
  • story7 mentions

    The story is characterized by its lowbrow humor and absurdity, following a drunken protagonist who embarks on a surreal adventure filled with bizarre challenges and quirky events. While the narrative may not take itself seriously, it offers a mix of hilarious moments and unexpected twists, keeping players engaged with its unconventional plot and unique setting. Overall, the story is a blend of comedy and existential themes, providing a fun and unpredictable experience.

    • “Zak McKracken and Maniac Mansion have a totally over-the-top, bonkers story about a drunkard lowlife who must leap out of his comfort zone in order to survive a set of not-so-ordinary ordeals.”
    • “The setting is strange and full of genuinely funny and novel moments; like Lisa, I enjoyed how absurd the story was because I didn't know what would happen next.”
    • “The story is very lowbrow and doesn't take itself seriously, and while the graphics are a bit amateurish, the core gameplay and presentation are solid and even manage to create an ounce of hilarious existential angst.”
    • “What begins as a quest to find a mechanic quickly spirals into a surreal adventure to satisfy the '7 ordeals' of a seemingly omnipotent person known as 'the warden'.”
    • “A quirky story about a man who ends up going through a series of unfortunate events.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music in the game is characterized by a minimalist style that complements the dark humor and enhances the overall atmosphere, effectively supporting the game's environments. Coupled with tongue-in-cheek pixel graphics, the soundtrack contributes to a delightfully demented experience.

    • “Of course you must steer this torrente kind of guy through all kinds of hardships sprinkled with a good set of well-dosed dark humor, while you experience some proper background music that always supports the actual environment.”
    • “Minimalist music and tongue-in-cheek pixel graphics lend a delightfully demented air to the proceedings.”
    • “The minimalist music and tongue-in-cheek pixel graphics lend a delightfully demented air to the proceedings.”
    • “The background music always supports the actual environment, but it feels repetitive and uninspired.”
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