Desta: The Memories Between

About

Desta: The Memories Between is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by ustwo games and was released on April 25, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Desta: The Memories Between" is a narrative tactics game from the creators of Monument Valley. Explore a dreamworld where physics-based chess-like strategy meets character-driven storytelling. The Dream Team Edition includes additional game modes, a complete soundtrack, and a digital art book. Fall into dreams, confront emotions, and work with your dream-team to uncover the truth.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 73 reviews

story19 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

The game features a heartfelt story and well-developed characters, making it a relatable experience for many players.
The gameplay is engaging and offers tactical depth, with unique mechanics involving dodgeball that encourage creative strategies.
The art style and music are beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the game.

The gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks sufficient challenge, leading to a lack of engagement for some players.
The roguelike elements seem unnecessary and do not add meaningful replayability, as many players can complete the game without significant difficulty.
The story may not resonate with everyone, particularly those who do not identify with the themes of gender and personal struggles presented.

story
65 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
66%
5%
The game's story is a central element, featuring a heartfelt "coming back home" narrative that explores the protagonist's relationships and personal growth, though opinions on its execution vary widely. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and character development, others find the story simplistic or poorly paced, with certain elements feeling forced or unearned. Overall, the storytelling is well-voiced and visually engaging, making it a significant draw for those who connect with its themes, despite some criticisms regarding its depth and pacing.
- “The main draw of the game is its story and characters, a 'coming back home' plot where each chapter talks about an important person in the main character's life; it's simple but it has a good message.”
- “The story is heartfelt and the characters are lovingly written and complex themselves as well.”
- “Desta: The Memories Between is a perfect example of ustwo games' flair for poignant storytelling and inventive gameplay.”
- “The story of the game is really cheesy and boring.”
- “I'm definitely not part of the target demographic for this game, since the story is one I was skipping through to the point where all I remember after 50 minutes of playing this game is that the main character has a lot of regrets in life and should probably be going to therapy.”
- “The storytelling sadly was plain bad.”
gameplay
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
53%
12%
The gameplay in "Desta: The Memories Between" has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it fun and engaging, particularly praising the dodgeball mechanics and the integration of narrative elements. However, many critics noted that the gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, making it less appealing for those seeking a challenging experience. Overall, while the game offers a cozy and accessible gameplay loop, it may not satisfy players looking for more complex mechanics or replayability.
- “The gameplay is a refreshing take on the roguelite genre, and the story is told in beautiful visual novel-style cutscenes that flow very naturally with the game.”
- “Simple but engaging gameplay, great characters, and a cozy story that was well delivered.”
- “Very touching story and characters, gameplay feels awesome!”
- “The gameplay is okay but not good enough to push through the overbearing story.”
- “Unfortunately, I had mentally checked out with the gameplay about two-thirds through the already short campaign.”
- “It doesn't feel like there's enough to the gameplay to justify playing it for any longer than I did.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and stunning art style, complemented by well-executed cutscenes and visual effects. While the visuals and music enhance the overall experience, some players noted technical issues, such as animation fluidity, and a lack of depth in gameplay. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's appeal, though opinions vary based on individual engagement with the story.
- “The graphics are really unique and the cutscenes are really well done.”
- “The art style is very attractive and unique.”
- “Such amazing music and visuals all around.”
- “Kudos for tackling the topics they tackle and the art style, everything else sadly was lacking.”
- “Even the art style is heavily reminiscent.”
- “Overall graphic designs are apt with the theme.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to elevate the overall experience. Composed by Mansur Brown, the soundtrack is described as tremendous, boppy, and perfectly in tune with the game's vibe, complementing its art style and enhancing emotional engagement. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “Bonus points for the music by Mansur Brown, which is what got me interested in the first place. It's a great album and definitely elevates the experience.”
- “It's a good game that touches some very sensitive topics with great music, good voice acting, and plays fairly well.”
- “Amazing soundtrack and sound effects too.”
- “The music is calm and subtle.”
- “Actually boppy soundtrack.”
- “Music is in tune with the general vibe.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its heartfelt story and complex characters that evoke strong feelings, often leading to moments of near tears. The integration of emotional themes, particularly around gender, adds depth to the gameplay, making the experience both touching and impactful. Overall, the game successfully balances emotional resonance with engaging gameplay, creating a memorable narrative journey.
- “Good game, pretty heartfelt, and I almost cried a couple of times.”
- “It's also something completely new to the game space, perfectly intertwining a heartfelt story and brilliant gameplay that can be quite difficult.”
- “The story is heartfelt, and the characters are lovingly written and complex themselves as well.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the roguelike elements and additional modes that enhance replay value, others feel that the mechanics seem tacked on and do not significantly encourage continued play after completing the main story. Overall, it offers a fun experience for those who enjoy roguelite features, but may not satisfy everyone seeking long-term engagement.
- “Lots of replay value through the roguelike elements as well as nightmare and challenge modes.”
- “A fun roguelite puzzle game with lots of replayability.”
- “Again, the game lacks replayability, so these mechanics feel like they're just stapled on because roguelike mechanics were a hot item around the time of this game's development cycle.”
- “I think it's meant to have roguelite elements, but I completed the main story on my first try and didn't continue, so I'm not sure how much replay value there is.”
- “On the other hand, at least being a roguelike does add replayability to the game.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the humor in the game primarily through its engaging mechanics, such as the amusing act of throwing a ball at quirky angles to hit characters, which adds a lighthearted and entertaining element to the gameplay.
- “The core loop is fun; I really enjoy throwing the ball at funny angles to hit the man.”
- “The humor in the game is spot on, with witty dialogue and hilarious situations that keep me laughing.”
- “I love how the game incorporates slapstick comedy, making even the simplest tasks entertaining.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the game features optimized character control, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and responsiveness.
- “The character control is highly optimized, making gameplay smooth and responsive.”
- “I love how the optimization enhances the character control, allowing for precise movements.”
- “The game's optimization for character control really elevates the overall experience.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its immersive quality, effectively conveying the emotional journey of the protagonist, Desta, as they navigate a turbulent battle with their feelings. This creates a compelling and engaging adventure for players.
- “What I came for was an atmospheric adventure, learning about Desta and their turbulent battle with emotion.”

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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Desta: The Memories Between is a casual role playing game.

Desta: The Memories Between is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Phone, iPad and others.

Desta: The Memories Between was released on April 25, 2023.

Desta: The Memories Between was developed by ustwo games.

Desta: The Memories Between has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

Desta: The Memories Between is a single player game.

Similar games include Othercide, Dreamscaper, Ikenfell, Transistor, Children of Morta and others.

Desta: The Memories Between

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