Dear Future

About

Dear Future is a multiplayer wandering game where you photograph a cryptic city using an inherited camera. Working collectively with every other player in the world, you must document the ruined land of your predecessors and lift an ancient curse. Tread across a procedurally-generated world of pseudoclassical architecture and take photographs in it, saving a single one to pass down to future play…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 31 reviews

music3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game offers a beautiful and meditative experience, immersing players in a mysterious, abandoned city with a soothing soundtrack.
The concept of exploring a desolate world through photography is intriguing and has the potential for emotional depth.
It's free to play, making it accessible for anyone interested in a short, relaxing gaming experience.

The world feels empty and repetitive, with many assets reused, leading to a lack of variety and interesting locations to explore.
The mechanics, such as the time limit and sprinting, hinder the enjoyment of the photography aspect and make exploration feel rushed.
The narrative is vague and underdeveloped, making it difficult for players to engage with the story or find compelling reasons to continue playing.

gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Gameplay in the reviewed titles presents a mixed experience; while some mechanics are praised for their design and innovative ideas, others are criticized for hindering enjoyment and limiting player freedom. In particular, the contrast between structured objectives in Pokémon Snap and the more open yet restrictive approach in Dear Future highlights the varying effectiveness of gameplay mechanics in enhancing or detracting from the overall experience.
- “The mechanics were really nice, creating an engaging experience.”
- “I mean the whole gameplay idea, once you get it, is cool.”
- “But when everything looks the same, and there's only a smattering of narrative bubbles that you're not guaranteed to see, this mechanic isn't serving its intended purpose.”
- “Pokémon Snap gives you limited time, a clear objective, and reduces artistic freedom for the sake of gameplay.”
- “Dear Future, by contrast, gives you limited time, no objectives, and restricts artistic freedom through its mechanics.”
graphics
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with users noting that they are basic and lack the visual appeal expected from a photography-centric title. There are calls for adjustable graphic settings to accommodate lower-end computers, as the current visuals do not meet the standards for a game focused on capturing stunning imagery.
- “It does have a few problems that prevent it from being really great - firstly, the graphics.”
- “Now this is a valid criticism in pretty much every other game, but when a game is based around taking photos, it needs to be either beautiful or have a good art style.”
- “For a game centered around photography, the graphics are just... basic.”
- “Please add graphic settings so that they can be changed to low.”
- “It would be useful for computers with weaker graphics.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and relaxing qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere, especially in the initial moments. Players appreciate the dynamic changes in the soundtrack, particularly around specific times and locations, which adds an engaging layer to the experience.
- “The soundtrack is so soothing and relaxing; seeing the messages left by others was such a cool thing, and looking at the pictures taken by others and then finding where they took them in the game was very fun.”
- “I liked the atmosphere during the first 15 minutes, and the music changing around objects at 8 PM was kind of cool.”
- “Lovely music.”
- “Has there always been music playing?”
- “Positives... I liked the atmosphere during the first 15 minutes and the music changing around objects/8 PM was kinda cool.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The story is largely considered forgettable and underwhelming, with players expressing frustration over the tedious process of uncovering it through exploration. Many find the narrative lacking depth, describing the experience as a chore rather than an engaging journey.
- “The only real goal is to uncover the story by visiting the unique buildings that are scattered around the map.”
- “I open the journal and wonder where the rest of the story lives.”
- “TL;DR: 8 hours of boring walking to uncover a lame story and a non-working multiplayer.”
- “So finally, the story... forgettable.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging concept and immersive qualities, particularly highlighted during the initial moments and the dynamic music that shifts around specific objects. Overall, players find the atmosphere to be a strong point, enhancing the overall experience.
- “Great atmosphere, great concept; it's free, what are you waiting for?”
- “I liked the atmosphere during the first 15 minutes, and the music changing around objects at 8 PM was kind of cool.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be a brief yet impactful experience that evokes strong emotions, particularly towards the end, despite its free and relaxing nature.
- “Yes, it is short, but hey, it's free, relaxing, and somehow makes you emotional at the end.”