Carry Onward
- July 21, 2023
- Andrey Chudaev
- 1h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game delivers a touching emotional narrative that resonates with players dealing with grief.
- The voice acting and music enhance the overall experience, creating a powerful atmosphere.
- Despite its short length, the game effectively conveys its message and engages players on a personal level.
- The gameplay is minimalistic, consisting mainly of walking and interacting with objects, which may not satisfy players looking for more interactivity.
- The writing lacks depth and insight, making the story feel pedestrian and unoriginal.
- The game's short duration of around 20 minutes feels overpriced for the content offered.
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke deep feelings of grief and reflection, despite its short playtime. Many players found the narrative touching and resonant, often leading to tears and a sense of understanding. However, some critics felt the brevity limited its emotional impact, suggesting a desire for a longer, more developed story.
“The game, while short, has a very real emotional resonance for someone going through grief.”
“I cried while I played it, not because of my sadness, but because I felt like someone understood.”
“A short emotional narrative adventure where the hero deals with difficult feelings of loss and tries to move on.”
- story10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The story of "Carry On" follows Thomas on a poignant journey, emphasizing narrative over gameplay. While some players find the story merely good, others appreciate its emotional depth and the impactful voice acting that enhances the overall atmosphere. Overall, the game is described as a short yet elegant experience that effectively engages players through its storytelling.
“For all who want to buy this game, I want you to know that it focuses on the story rather than the gameplay.”
“The plot and beautiful voice acting create an atmosphere that pulls on your heartstrings.”
“With such a somber tone, the voice acting really captures the essence of what the game is about and carries the story forward.”
“For all who want to buy this game, I want you to know that this game focuses on the story rather than the gameplay.”
“I like this game, but 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 evoke more emotional feelings while playing.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, primarily involving repetitive actions like walking, picking up boxes, and interacting with objects. Many players feel that the game focuses too heavily on its story at the expense of engaging gameplay, with a total playtime of only about 15 minutes, which is considered insufficient for a short game. Overall, the writing and gameplay do not meet the expectations of players seeking a more substantial experience.
“I expect about 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 this game focuses on the story rather than the gameplay.”
“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.”
“Having decent gameplay and/or decent writing should still be a standard we as consumers ask for.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The music and voice-over in the game are highly praised for their emotional impact and ability to convey a powerful message of renewal. 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 hard to stay engaged.”
“The soundtrack feels out of place and doesn't match the game's atmosphere.”
“The voice acting is subpar, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is deeply engaging, enhanced by a compelling plot and beautiful voice acting that resonate emotionally with players, even those who typically do not favor atmospheric titles.
“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.”
