Desert of Vice

52%
Game Brain Score Based on 13 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • atmosphere
Desert of Vice Game Cover
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“‘Desert of Vice’ has it all: surreal scenes, a spooky mystery, coffee and donuts.” - Waypoint VICE“For those looking to get lost in a realm where their sanity will be tested as they work deeper into an intriguing story, it offers some otherworldly mysteries to unravel.” - Indie Games Desert of Vice - a horror text adventure game. Solve the mystery of an isolated town in the middle of a desert …

  • Mac OS
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

52%
Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews
music3 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • Desert of Vice features a compelling story with a unique atmosphere, drawing inspiration from Lovecraftian themes and complemented by a fitting soundtrack.
  • The game offers multiple endings, providing replayability and encouraging players to explore different choices.
  • The aesthetic choices and art style create a captivating experience that enhances the overall mood of the game.
  • The command system is limited and inconsistent, requiring players to frequently type 'hint' to discover necessary actions, which detracts from the immersion of a text adventure.
  • The single save system can be cumbersome, making it difficult to explore different endings without restarting the game.
  • Players may feel railroaded by the game's linearity, as many actions are dictated rather than allowing for genuine player choice.
  • story9 mentions

    The story of "Desert of Vice" is described as compelling and intriguing, offering a unique narrative experience with a focus on exploration and discovery. However, some users feel that the lack of meaningful choices detracts from the overall engagement, making it feel more like a linear story than an interactive game. While it has potential as a short narrative, its execution may not satisfy those seeking a more traditional gaming experience.

    • “The game has an interesting storyline which doesn't tell you everything in the beginning; instead, it lets you explore and find out things on your own.”
    • “Brilliant text quest with an intriguing plot, thrilling atmosphere, handy hint system, and nonlinear gameplay (with a bunch of endings).”
    • “With that said, I think the story and style of Desert of Vice is still compelling for those looking for a short story to read/type through.”
    • “A kinetic novel that drags its own story down given how there isn't a convenient way to save the game to get these slightly different endings.”
    • “It's less a game and more a slightly interactive story, and unfortunately without choices it didn't hold my interest well enough.”
    • “The mood and the preview make it seem like it should be really, really good, a clever little gem, but unfortunately as someone who's played old text games, I felt like I was getting railroaded into someone's story rather than playing my own.”
  • music5 mentions

    The music in "Desert of Vice" is highly praised for enhancing the game's supernatural noir themes, creating a captivating atmosphere that complements its art style. Reviewers appreciate how the soundtrack and sound design contribute significantly to the overall experience, despite the gameplay being primarily text-based.

    • “Despite these criticisms, Desert of Vice has an undeniable mystique about it with an art style and soundtrack that complement its supernatural noir themes.”
    • “The music and sounds make the atmosphere.”
    • “Great atmosphere and music.”
    • “While the game is not completely text-based, as it has both visual design and a soundtrack, the gameplay is pure text where the game responds to your input.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by compelling music and sound design. Reviewers appreciate the unique ambiance and intriguing plot, noting that it effectively draws players in, although some feel the gameplay could be more developed. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature that contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “Great atmosphere and music.”
    • “It manages to conjure up an atmosphere very much its own and for that it deserves praise.”
    • “The music and sounds make the atmosphere.”
    • “It manages to conjure up an atmosphere very much its own, and for that, it deserves praise.”
  • graphics3 mentions

    The graphics of "Desert of Vice" are praised for their aesthetic choices that enhance the supernatural noir themes, creating a captivating atmosphere. While some users note the need for quality-of-life improvements, the overall art style and soundtrack effectively complement the game's narrative.

    • “Despite these criticisms, Desert of Vice has an undeniable mystique about it with an art style and soundtrack that complement its supernatural noir themes.”
    • “I really like the story, the visuals, and music.”
    • “A neat, little text adventure project with good aesthetic choices that could use some quality-of-life improvements.”
  • gameplay3 mentions

    The gameplay is primarily text-based, requiring players to input commands, which can lead to varied endings, though some may feel repetitive due to similar text prompts. Despite this, the game features an intriguing plot, a thrilling atmosphere, and a helpful hint system, enhancing the overall experience with its non-linear gameplay and multiple endings.

    • “Brilliant text quest with intriguing plot, thrilling atmosphere, handy hint system, and nonlinear gameplay (with a bunch of endings).”
    • “While some of these endings can differ very greatly from each other in terms of fleeing versus running away, the separate endings blur together given the mechanic of having to type all of the same text out each playthrough.”
    • “While the game is not completely text-based, as it has both visual design and soundtrack, the gameplay is pure text where the game responds to your input.”
    • “Brilliant text quest with intriguing plot, thrilling atmosphere, handy hint system and nonlinear gameplay (with a bunch of endings).”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game features multiple endings and a variety of gameplay options, enhancing its replayability and encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes.

    • “There's also multiple endings, which gives the game significant replayability, especially since you're offered a lot of variation in how to approach different tasks.”
    • “The game encourages you to try different strategies and choices, making each playthrough feel unique and rewarding.”
    • “With various character builds and story paths, I find myself coming back to explore new possibilities every time.”
    • “The game lacks meaningful choices, making the multiple endings feel more like a gimmick than a reason to replay.”
    • “Once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to go back, as the gameplay doesn't change significantly.”
    • “While there are different paths to take, they often lead to the same outcome, diminishing the replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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