com__et
- October 31, 2023
- SuperBiasedGary
"com et" is a single-player adventure game with a unique story. The game, a queer romance/horror visual novel, follows a protagonist who must navigate hidden words and choices to reveal different endings. With 6000 words, 4 songs, and multiple endings , players must explore and make different decisions to see the full story. The game deals with themes of communication, manipulation, and self-discovery.
Reviews
- The game features a unique mechanic of obscuring text, which enhances the narrative experience and encourages multiple playthroughs to uncover hidden meanings.
- The art and music are praised for their quality, contributing to the overall emotional impact of the story.
- The narrative resonates with players, evoking relatable feelings and experiences, particularly in the context of queer relationships and societal pressures.
- The game is quite short, leaving some players wishing for a longer experience with more complex plot threads and character development.
- Some technical aspects, such as the use of stock Ren'py UI and music, detract from the overall presentation and immersion.
- A few players felt that the story could have been more engaging or interesting, suggesting that the plot didn't fully capitalize on its unique concept.
- story16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The story is a brief yet impactful exploration of repressed romantic feelings, cleverly presented through a seemingly simple love narrative that invites player choices to uncover deeper themes. While some reviewers wished for a more intricate plot and longer duration, the emotional depth and relatability of the characters shine through, making it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a condensed, meaningful story. Overall, it effectively utilizes the visual novel format to deliver a heartfelt and engaging tale.
“I don't want to say more since I think this story is best read completely unspoiled, but also wow this really reminded me of being in high school.”
“This game manages to pack a surprising amount of detail and emotion into a very (and I mean very) short story.”
“An excellent visual novel, which creatively uses the medium to tell an intriguing and heartfelt story.”
“A big part of the story seems to be dealing with repressed romantic feelings, so literally censoring the main character's thoughts from the reader in a first-person setting works really well in tandem with this theme.”
“There's an appeal to having a condensed story that says exactly what it wants and then ends, but the 'gimmick' doesn't get to fully shine when there's only a single, narrow plot thread.”
“Though the visual novel initially reads like a love story, there's a little more going on underneath the surface.”
- music6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the soundtrack for its ability to build tension and enhance the gameplay experience, others find certain tracks too loud and clashing. The main menu song is particularly criticized, but many agree that the music effectively complements the game's atmosphere, especially during pivotal moments. Overall, the dynamic nature of the music adds an engaging layer to the player's choices.
“Art is amazing, as well as the music.”
“Kept surprising me every time I made new or different choices with both the writing and the dynamic music!”
“Also, I didn't like the music very much.”
“I'm not a pro when it comes to music, so it's hard to really describe my issues with it, but the tracks all sounded very 'loud' even when I had my volume turned down, and the instruments used seemed to 'clash' with one another.”
“The main menu/beginning song isn't my jam, but the soundtrack really does suit the game well in my opinion; especially later in the game, it does a great job of building tension.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally resonant, often feeling a sense of connection to their own experiences through its heartfelt storytelling. The visual novel effectively conveys its themes, though some users express a desire for deeper exploration of character emotions to enhance their emotional impact. Overall, it successfully evokes feelings of empathy and understanding.
“Made me feel a little less alone in regards to those particular sorts of experiences.”
“I had an emotional reaction to finally reaching the ____ end.”
“An excellent visual novel, which creatively uses the medium to tell an intriguing and heartfelt story.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this short queer visual novel is highlighted by a unique mechanic that keeps players guessing about the implications of their choices until later in the story, adding an element of intrigue and engagement. However, some users feel that there is limited depth beyond this mechanic.
“A unique mechanic of not knowing what your choices really mean until later.”
“A short queer visual novel with a fun mechanic and engaging storytelling.”
“The unique mechanic of not knowing what your choices really mean until later can be frustrating and leads to a lack of engagement.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks the depth needed to keep players invested.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, making it difficult to enjoy the experience.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are functional and utilize stock Ren'Py assets, which some users find adequate, but there is a desire for more aesthetically pleasing visuals. However, the artwork received positive feedback, indicating that it enhances the overall visual experience.
“The artwork is stunning and adds a lot to the overall experience.”
“The graphics are beautifully designed, enhancing the game's aesthetic appeal.”
“The visuals are impressive and contribute significantly to the immersive atmosphere.”
“Stock Ren'Py is fine and it's perfectly functional, but it could have made the experience look more aesthetically pleasing.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“Character models are poorly designed, making it hard to connect with the story.”