Brain Please Don't
- July 1, 2020
- Critique Gaming
Get on Steam"Brain Please Don't" is a narrative-driven game that explores the inner workings of a teenager's mind. Players must navigate through various encounters, playing cards that represent Cameron's thoughts and impulses, with the goal of choosing paths that lead to better mental states. The game encourages players to construct positive psychological spirals while examining the challenges of managing self-doubt, anxiety, and inadequacy. The game's endings and outcomes are dependent on the player's choices and interpretations.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a unique combination of deck-building mechanics within an interactive visual novel framework, providing an interesting proof of concept.
- Players can customize their character's weaknesses and coping strategies, allowing for a personal connection to the narrative and themes of mental health.
- Despite its short length, the game effectively captures the small traumas of teenage life and encourages players to reflect on their choices and coping mechanisms.
- The gameplay lacks depth and strategy, as players can simply click cards to progress without meaningful choices affecting the story.
- There is minimal replay value due to the linear nature of the story, with no significant changes based on player decisions or character traits.
- The game is very short, with some players feeling it is more of a brief experience than a fully developed game, leading to disappointment regarding its overall content.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay combines deckbuilding mechanics with an interactive visual novel format, offering a unique experience that some players find intriguing. However, many dialogue options lack meaningful impact, leading to a sense of mechanical redundancy and a breakdown in core gameplay. Despite its simplicity, the game effectively intertwines its mechanics with themes of mental health, which may appeal to certain players.
“I also think the combination of deckbuilding in an interactive visual novel framework is relatively new and unique, so it's worth playing if you're interested in seeing a proof of concept of those mechanics combined.”
“The thing that really won me over here is the way that the mechanics intersect with achieving a degree of mental health.”
“The game is not difficult if you understand this mechanic.”
“And even worse is that often the dialog options don't actually matter, so there's a breakdown in the core gameplay.”
“Most of the time several options give no rewards, so they are mechanically indistinguishable.”
“End of my gameplay experience.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is centered around a single narrative that lacks significant branching paths, leading to limited replay value despite initial character customization options. Players express disappointment that their choices do not influence the storyline, which detracts from the overall engagement and potential for a dynamic experience. The concept is promising, but the execution falls short in providing a truly interactive storytelling experience.
“The concept is there and the game interacts with you based on choice, making it an okay text-based simulation with some visuals to help the user engage in the story.”
“Unfortunately, there is only one story, so there's really not much replay value, which is a disappointment given that you can customize your character at the beginning.”
“I wish you could choose and let the story play out.”
“Unfortunately, there is only one story, so there's really not much replay value, which is a disappointment given that you can do character customization at the beginning.”
“On my second playthrough, I discovered that nothing your character did actually changes the story.”
“The ability to change the plot should be the thing that opposes growing my stats, not the randomness of the cards.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has limited replayability due to its singular storyline and lack of strategic depth, despite offering some initial enjoyment and character customization options. Players express disappointment over the absence of varied content to encourage multiple playthroughs.
“Unfortunately, there is only one story, so there's really not much replay value, which is a disappointment given that you can do character customization at the beginning.”
“There really isn't any strategy to it or replay value, but I did get a dollar's worth of enjoyment out of it.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are described as basic, serving primarily to enhance the text-based simulation and engage players in the story. While the visuals are not the main focus, they effectively support the interactive narrative experience.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game particularly engaging, especially enjoying the amusing inner monologues of their characters as they navigate gameplay, such as playing cards in pursuit of a random +1. This comedic element adds a layer of entertainment that enhances the overall experience.
“It was so funny watching the thoughts running through my character's head as I played card after card trying to get that random +1.”
