Carry Onward

About

"Carry Onward" is a poignant narrative-driven game about Thomas, a grieving man packing up his home. Engage with objects holding significance to his past, shaping his emotional journey towards healing and one of five possible outcomes. Witness the profound impact of small moments in this short game by a solo developer.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

story4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game delivers a powerful emotional message about grief and moving on, resonating deeply with players who have experienced loss.
The voice acting and music enhance the storytelling, creating a touching atmosphere that engages players emotionally.
Multiple play-throughs are encouraged due to the different memories and feelings associated with each item, adding depth to the narrative experience.

The game is very short, with a playtime of only 15 to 20 minutes, which some players feel is not worth the price.
Gameplay is minimalistic, consisting mainly of walking and interacting with objects, leading to criticism of its lack of depth and engagement.
The writing and voice acting have been described as mediocre, which detracts from the overall impact of the story.

story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The game's story revolves around themes of nostalgia, human flaws, and the emotional weight of memories as players navigate through a character's past while preparing for a new chapter in life. It offers multiple narrative paths through item interactions, enhancing replayability, and is complemented by beautiful voice acting that deepens the emotional impact. While some players find the story satisfactory but not exceptional, it effectively conveys a poignant message about struggles and connections.
- “Without spoiling the story of our character, we are going through our house and reliving memories of a happier time as we are packing up to move to a new home.”
- “This game tells a story that we are human beings with flaws, have struggles/regrets in life, and how to use memories/connection to find motivation.”
- “The plot and beautiful voice acting create an atmosphere that pulls on your heartstrings.”
- “For all who want to buy this game, I want you to know that this game focuses on the story rather than the gameplay.”
- “But, I like this game, even though I'm not very happy with the story.”
- “I hope this game can be counted on my Steam profile and that there is a next story with longer playtime to make the player feel more emotional while playing the game.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, effectively conveying themes of grief and personal growth through a short yet impactful narrative. Many players found themselves moved to tears, appreciating how the character's experiences resonated with their own feelings of loss and the journey toward healing. Despite its brevity, the emotional journey is described as profound and relatable, making it a touching experience for those who engage with it.
- “Another part I enjoyed was how they wrote our character; his feelings and attachments made me cry a lot, especially due to how he spoke about the good times.”
- “The game, while short, has a very real emotional resonance for someone going through grief.”
- “This game touched my heart; it really made me cry.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
The gameplay is minimal and primarily revolves around simple mechanics such as walking, picking up objects, and exploring the story through internal dialogue, with a total playtime of about 15 minutes. While the game aims to convey a powerful message, many users feel that the lack of engaging gameplay and subpar writing detracts from the overall experience. Players seeking a more substantial gameplay experience may find it lacking.
- “Another short game that delivers a pretty powerful message with simple mechanics.”
- “The gameplay consists of walking back and forth, picking up boxes, interacting with objects, and exploring the protagonist's memories with some internal dialogue options.”
- “This game is about 15 minutes of gameplay time.”
- “I expect 35 minutes to 1 hour of gameplay for a short game.”
- “For all who want to buy this game, I want you to know that it focuses on the story rather than the gameplay.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The music and voice-over in the game are highly praised for their emotional impact and ability to convey a powerful message of renewal and hope. Players appreciate how these elements enhance the overall experience, contributing significantly to the game's artistic value.
- “The music, the voice-over, and the overall message being sent to players that you can start anew no matter what is very powerful, and I'm grateful I got to experience this little piece of indie art.”
- “Voice acting and music really elevate this game.”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel dull after a short while.”
- “The soundtrack doesn't fit the game's atmosphere, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The voice acting is subpar, and the music often feels out of place, pulling me out of the immersion.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is deeply engaging, characterized by a compelling plot and beautiful voice acting that evoke strong emotional responses. Even players who typically do not favor atmospheric titles find themselves captivated by its immersive qualities.
- “The plot and beautiful voice acting create an atmosphere that pulls on your heartstrings.”
- “I'm not normally one for atmospheric, emotional titles, but something about this really captivated me.”