Désiré

About

Désiré is a single player casual puzzle game. It was developed by Sylvain Seccia and was released on May 10, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Désiré is a single-player, poetic point-and-click adventure game that uses good music and black-and-white graphics to convey the story of Désiré, a color-blind character living in a world without joy. The game contains mature themes, critical of modern society, with over 50 scenes, 40 characters, and numerous riddles, as Désiré seeks to discover if color is at the end of his road. Not recommended for children under 16."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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79%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,844 reviews

story417 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

Beautiful artistic game with plenty of messages and deep themes.
Engaging storyline that provokes thought and reflection on life.
Unique gameplay that combines puzzles with a rich narrative.

Frequent bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, such as losing progress and difficulty accessing inventory.
Some themes and content may be inappropriate for younger audiences, leading to concerns about its suitability.
Puzzles can be confusing and lack clear instructions, making it frustrating for players.

story
742 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
41%
3%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its depth, emotional resonance, and unique themes, while others found it confusing, disjointed, or overly dark. Some appreciated the philosophical undertones and character development, but noted that certain adult themes and explicit content may not be suitable for younger audiences. Overall, the narrative is seen as a significant highlight, despite criticisms regarding pacing and coherence.
- “The story is captivating if forced.”
- “The story is amazing and the flow of the story is kinda confusing but still understandable.”
- “Désiré's story touched my heart, and playing the whole game gave me a new perspective in life.”
- “The game controls, initial goal, and story were all both opaque as heck and not terribly engaging.”
- “The amount of plot holes and unfocused stories for each year is just incredibly bad.”
- “The storyline is ill-written... this could have been something good... talking about jerking off... I'm not a prude but it was a bunch of R-rated subjects without the depth of the most superficial porn.”
graphics
163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
28%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beauty and detail, with many reviewers praising the art style and animation as integral to the overall experience. While some noted that the graphics are not groundbreaking, they are described as well-executed and fitting for the game's themes, contributing to a strong atmosphere. However, a few critiques mention that certain graphic content may be overwhelming or inappropriate for younger audiences.
- “I honestly wasn't expecting the game to be so good; I was surprised by the amount of details and well-orchestrated artwork.”
- “The graphics are amazing and well thought out.”
- “The graphics and music were superb, and the story was heartwarming for me.”
- “A lot of shock value in the content and graphics that don't add anything on top of occasional save file glitches make this one of the least enjoyable 'adventure' games I've ever played.”
- “Shitty gameplay with choppy graphics and no story progression.”
- “However, I do have a few issues with desire... the graphical content was very overwhelming.”
gameplay
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
48%
11%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its artistic style and immersive experience, while others criticize its mechanics for being unintuitive and frustrating, particularly regarding inventory access and puzzle-solving. Many users noted the need for clearer hints and controls, as well as the occasional pixel-hunting issues typical of point-and-click adventures. Overall, while the gameplay has potential and is enjoyable for some, it often detracts from the overall experience due to its logistical challenges and lack of guidance.
- “Absolutely impressive gameplay with a story.”
- “The gameplay is amazing, the art beautiful, and the whole story just mind-blowing.”
- “An immersive gameplay combined with a thoughtful story and a beautiful art style equals a 5-star game.”
- “The gameplay was a little buggy in some places, puzzles took much trial and error, and it would take from the experience.”
- “Where it falls flat is in its frustrating game mechanics and its preachy unskippable dialogue.”
- “The gameplay is frustrating because it's so easy to miss small details and I'm currently stuck at the part where Desire is at a hotel after leaving the Congo.”
music
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
34%
4%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many users praising its beauty and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and storytelling. The soundtrack is described as stunning, with particular highlights on the piano pieces and vocal tracks that evoke strong emotions. While some found the music occasionally mismatched with certain scenes, the general consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's immersive experience.
- “The music and the atmosphere it builds throughout the game is incredible and honestly a must play for anyone looking for a nice wee story to play through.”
- “The music was breathtakingly beautiful.”
- “The art quality and music are the best things about the game.”
- “The music just makes me sleepy.”
- “Like I'm hearing the same song only in a different tune.”
- “The music is depressing.”
emotional
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players describing it as a profound and touching experience that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to sadness. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to provoke deep reflection and existential questions, often leading to tears and a lasting impact. While some found the narrative challenging or dark, the overall sentiment is that the story is beautifully crafted, heartfelt, and memorable, making it a standout in the genre.
- “An amazing, soul touching interactive story that questions you and really asks you immensely powerful questions through its main character, which, ironically, is played by you, the gamer.”
- “Sorry if I'm unable to describe it properly, but the story is so powerful, heart-touching, and moving that even after finishing it I'm still lost in it, thinking about the thoughtful questions it asked me.”
- “The game is very, very emotional, and it brought me to be grateful for my surroundings.”
humor
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features a blend of humor that ranges from light-hearted and satirical to dark and absurd, often intertwining with serious themes. Players appreciate the unique characters and engaging dialogue, which deliver both laughs and poignant moments. Overall, the humor is described as meaningful and entertaining, making the game a memorable experience.
- “There were a few hilarious scenes, and the gameplay is really easy to control and understand what to do next.”
- “The language used in the game is understandable and has a touch of satirical humor to it.”
- “The characters are unique and create a good balance between humor and the serious issues presented.”
monetization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
36%
The game is praised for its completely free access, with no ads or in-app purchases, which enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the absence of monetization tactics, allowing them to enjoy the gameplay and story without interruptions. Many express a willingness to pay for future content, highlighting the game's quality and their desire for more.
- “It's completely free and there are no ads.”
- “A fascinating entirely free game with no ads or microtransactions in your face whatsoever, with a good story, good graphics and music too.”
- “And, best of all, it's completely free with no ads, although I'd gladly pay for a part 2, 3, 4, etc. if necessary.”
- “Difficult to believe that it is completely free and without ads.”
- “Keep up with good work and please don't start selling ads and loot boxes.”
- “I'm willing to watch ads to get hints and solve the game because I'm unable to figure it out on my own.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting a lack of significant bugs and a smooth experience, while others have encountered frequent crashes, buggy controls, and save file issues that detract from gameplay. Although the graphics and story are praised, the presence of glitches and inconsistent performance has led to frustration for many users, impacting their overall enjoyment.
- “I would have liked to give this a higher score, however, the constant crashing of the game, plus the buggy controls and slow pacing of dialogue has made it unplayable for me.”
- “A lot of shock value in the content and graphics that don't add anything on top of occasional save file glitches make this one of the least enjoyable 'adventure' games I've ever played.”
- “Room exits and some items are buggy, requires pressing in a precise pixel.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its impressive and melancholic ambiance, enhanced by beautiful graphics and a captivating soundtrack. While many players appreciate the immersive experience and emotional depth, some note that challenging puzzles can disrupt the overall flow and atmosphere. Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a poignant narrative within a strikingly atmospheric setting.
- “The music and the atmosphere it builds throughout the game is incredible and honestly a must play for anyone looking for a nice wee story to play through.”
- “Loved the melancholic atmosphere.”
- “The graphics and soundtrack of this game help to set a really strong atmosphere, which is good for a game like this. It helps to keep the game's foot on the ground and convey a very strong story and mature message, coming across as if someone experienced the events of the game firsthand.”
- “I spent hours until I found the aunt's sleeve to put the cards in at the first chapter, which ruins the atmosphere of the game.”
- “I really like the game atmosphere; it's a bit depressing and on the sad side. The graphics are great, and the gameplay is challenging.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often feeling bogged down by irrelevant philosophical commentary and slow-paced dialogue. The experience is further marred by unlikable characters and a lack of engaging content, leading many to feel that the game is overpriced for what it offers.
- “Really tedious experience.”
- “It is insanely tedious.”
- “Tedious with unlikable characters and perverse values.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its compelling story and themes, alongside impressive character design and development, although some players found the narrative a bit challenging to follow. Overall, the character development is highlighted as a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Best game in terms of story, themes, character design, and 2D game design.”
- “I absolutely loved it! The story was amazing, though a little hard to follow for me, but the art style and character development were great.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight that the game's optimization contributes to an enjoyable experience, with players praising its engaging story, captivating character performances, and impressive soundtracks. Overall, the game is recommended for its quality and entertainment value.