Dear Future

About

Dear Future is a single player and multiplayer action game. It was developed by Dear Future Production Committee and was released on April 20, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

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…

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78%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

music3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a beautiful and meditative atmosphere, providing a calming experience for players.
The concept of exploring an abandoned city through photography is intriguing and has potential for deeper engagement.
It's free to play, making it accessible for anyone interested in trying out the unique multiplayer photography experience.

The game suffers from repetitive and low-quality graphics, which detracts from the overall experience and makes exploration feel dull.
Gameplay mechanics are poorly designed, with limitations like a sprint meter and a time constraint that hinder enjoyment and exploration.
As a student project, it lacks polish and depth, resulting in a lack of engaging content and a dismal public reception.

graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The graphics of the game are criticized for their low-quality, low-poly 3D design, which many players find unappealing, especially given the repetitive use of limited assets. This is particularly disappointing for a game focused on photography, where higher visual standards are expected. Additionally, there are calls for adjustable graphic settings to accommodate players with less powerful hardware.
- “Now this is a stupid criticism in pretty much every other game, but when a game is based around taking photos, the game needs to be either beautiful or have a good art style.”
- “In terms of visuals, this features fairly low quality low poly 3D graphics which will deter a lot of gamers, understandably, especially combined with the procedural generation rubber stamping of the same limited set of game assets over and over again.”
- “Gaming is a visual medium, and while some developers struggle with creating high quality visuals, failing to do so is a disservice to gamers.”
- “For a game centered around photography, the graphics are just... basic.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Gameplay reviews highlight a mixed experience, with some mechanics perceived as hindrances to enjoyment, particularly in titles like "Dear Future," which limits objectives and artistic freedom. In contrast, "Pokémon Snap" offers a more structured approach with clear goals, though it also restricts player creativity. Overall, while some mechanics are appreciated for their design and conceptual depth, they can detract from the overall fun if not implemented effectively.
- “The mechanics were really nice, except for that sprint.”
- “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.”
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 to the immersive 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 exploration required to uncover it. Many feel that the narrative fails to engage, making the journey feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.
- “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 generally 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 appreciate the game's ability to evoke emotions, particularly noting its impactful ending, despite its short length and free accessibility. The experience is described as both relaxing and surprisingly moving.
- “Yes, it is short, but hey, it's free, relaxing, and somehow makes you emotional at the end.”