Get on Steam///CODA is an avant-garde exploration game with four diverse exhibits that each tell unique stories connected by a dynamic museum-esque overworld with a unique 1-bit graphical style. Drawing influence from various game genres such as adventure, psychological-horror, point and click, and experimental ///CODA is unlike any other experience either in the physical or digital world. Take a peak th…
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a unique aesthetic experience, reminiscent of nostalgic early computer games, with a surreal and introspective atmosphere.
- The artistic intent is clear, providing emotional and thought-provoking moments through its abstract exhibits and themes.
- Despite its short length, the game encourages exploration and offers replayability through its various vignettes and hidden content.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive and aimless, with many areas lacking meaningful interaction or depth in storytelling.
- The interface and controls may be frustrating for some players, as they can feel awkward and unintuitive, detracting from the overall experience.
- The low resolution and monochrome visuals may not appeal to everyone, and some players found the artistic choices to be more distracting than engaging.
- graphics8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beautiful and surreal aesthetic, effectively creating a dreamlike atmosphere that enhances the introspective experience. However, some players find the visuals repetitive and lacking in depth, with certain segments feeling abstract and disjointed. Overall, while the art style shows promise, it may benefit from more variety and cohesion in future iterations.
“It's a good debut, and I most look forward to seeing the dev apply this visual style into a future game with either a more cohesive and in-depth narrative or a more interactive entertainment delivery device. The art style feels perfect for a puzzle/adventure title or even a Kingsfield-like dungeon delver.”
“I really enjoyed it, mainly as an aesthetic experience.”
“Another review mentioned that this game has beautiful visuals.”
“If you're keen on surreal, disjointed experiences and 1-bit visuals paired with some weirdly appropriate minimalist music, this is a game worth checking out.”
“The game is really trying to do one thing, and it's to provide a sense of introspective escapism through psychedelic visuals and cerebral undertones. That said, I thought the game was interesting enough, but from my perspective, I played similar games that did it a lot better.”
“I didn't mind the visuals too much, but some of the areas were a bit too similar. For example, there are a lot of open areas with faces, and when you do that like five times, it starts to feel repetitive.”
- story6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as a disjointed and abstract experience, often feeling repetitive and lacking a clear direction or purpose. While there are intriguing character moments and brief narratives tied to the museum's paintings, many elements remain unexplained, leaving players with a sense of confusion rather than a cohesive storyline. Overall, the attempt to create an artsy narrative falls short, resulting in a fragmented storytelling experience.
“The exhibits are a bit more substantial, and bring you to a short story that usually lasts 5-10 minutes.”
“After several short trips in a strange otherworld triggered by looking at paintings in a museum, I did find a proper story sliver which I won't relate because I am not sure if it will give away the larger story.”
“From the story perspective, there were a few interesting character moments. Even though the game is not too heavy on the reading, you can occasionally pick between different dialogue choices, but I am not sure if they have any impact.”
“A lucid dream-like story that acts more like a fever dream; while the visuals look cool, it feels repetitive and pointless. Some of the stories go unexplained, and the whole painting segment is just an abstract mess.”
“Overall, I just felt like this game was trying too hard to be artsy, without really having a goal or story in mind.”
“From the story perspective, there were a few interesting character moments. Even though the game is not too heavy on reading, you can occasionally pick between different dialogue choices, but I am not sure if they have any impact.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its strange and abstract style, creating a dark and tense atmosphere that evokes strong feelings. While some players find it unnerving, they appreciate its emotional depth and recommend exploring it for a unique experience, though they suggest that additional content could enhance its overall warmth.
“I think just based on style and environment, and the way it made me feel, I can confidently recommend giving it a try.”
“Strange, abstract, seemingly aimless but ultimately emotional, dark, tense, and even unnerving; but never uncalled for.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game lacks significant replayability, with a short playtime of around 60 minutes and minimal incentives to revisit it. Players express disappointment, suggesting that improvements in content and explanations could enhance satisfaction and replay value.
“While the visuals are rather nice, it's not really worth my money in the state it is as of now. If it had some semblance of replayability and was longer or had some things explained, then I would have been more satisfied.”
“The game takes about 60 minutes to beat, with no replay value as far as I'm aware.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been criticized for feeling amateurish, resembling a basic project from a novice developer using Unity.
“The gameplay feels like a poorly executed prototype, reminiscent of someone's first Unity project.”
“The mechanics are clunky and unrefined, making it frustrating to engage with the game.”
“The overall experience lacks depth and polish, leaving it feeling unfinished and unengaging.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the experience is visually stunning and immersive, creating a captivating environment; however, it is marred by elements that can be unnecessarily painful for players.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world with its stunning visuals and sound design.”
“Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout the experience.”
“The game's atmosphere is rich and evocative, making every moment feel alive and filled with tension.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's music is characterized by a surreal and minimalist style that complements its disjointed visuals, creating a unique and fitting auditory experience for players who appreciate unconventional soundscapes.
“If you're keen on surreal, disjointed experiences and 1-bit visuals paired with some weirdly appropriate minimalist music, this is a game worth checking out.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“While the visuals are intriguing, the soundtrack is underwhelming and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
“The minimalist music might appeal to some, but for me, it felt more like an afterthought than a cohesive part of the game.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly due to the trial-and-error nature of figuring out which paintings to visit to progress, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
“Interesting game, cool vibes, but I couldn't beat it because I couldn't figure out which paintings I still needed to visit to talk to the coffee man. The trial and error became tedious.”
