Dissolving

About

Dissolving is a single player action game with a horror theme. It was developed by Flying Whale and was released on June 14, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

Her ex-boyfriend became a shut-in. The girl goes to visit him... then things start to go wrong. They always do, right? Experience two stories about digital gods and loss. And remember - believe in the net.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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84%

Audience ScoreBased on 128 reviews

story27 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Intriguing and thought-provoking story that explores themes of digital existence and online toxicity.
Unique and aesthetically pleasing art style that enhances the eerie atmosphere of the game.
Free to play, making it an accessible experience for those interested in horror visual novels.

Very short gameplay, with some players feeling the story lacks depth and development.
Limited player interaction, as choices are minimal and gameplay is primarily about clicking through text.
Some narrative elements feel disjointed or confusing, leaving players with unanswered questions.

story
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The game's story is characterized by its meta elements and rich worldbuilding, often serving as a vehicle for deeper themes rather than focusing on traditional character development. While some players appreciate the creative storytelling and the exploration of dark topics like loss and the internet's impact, many find the narratives too short and lacking in detail, leaving them wanting more. Overall, the story is seen as intriguing and thought-provoking, but its brevity and occasional clunkiness detract from its potential.
- “The original story is less than 15-30 minutes, and it feels a bit disappointing that it ended so without going into much detail or lore.”
- “I felt that the 'hidden' story had a very lackluster climax, and there were a few points in the story that felt like they were stretched out for no good reason while other points could have used a bit more exploration.”
- “The plot is straightforward and boring.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
42%
16%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and aesthetically pleasing art style, which effectively conveys a spooky and thought-provoking atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the striking visuals, characterized by a blend of vibrant colors and dark tones, that enhance the storytelling experience. While the artwork is often described as beautiful and intriguing, some feel that it could be better complemented by a stronger narrative.
- “Unique and aesthetically pleasing art.”
- “Wonderful and unique art style, thought-provoking writing (and well done at that), a new perspective into reality, definitely worth setting aside some time for!”
- “The visuals are a beautiful contrast of vibrant colors that somehow empower the words due to the strong use of reds, purples, violets, and darkened soil-greys.”
- “The artwork is quite dark and murky; however, the protagonist and the text contrast nicely.”
- “The striking art style and unusual game design deserve a better story to go along with it.”
- “The writing was the strongest part of this game, and I would personally want to revisit it without the visuals.”
music
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
41%
18%
- “The music was very atmospheric and the art was fitting and unique.”
- “Beautiful, astonishing, well thought deep story, amazing soundtrack, and quite original.”
- “Alongside this, the music is a mixture of ambience that quickly reverts to industrial beat tones matching the changing mood of the story.”
- “The music was not so well synced though.”
- “I felt like the music was all that was guiding the pacing of the game and sometimes even felt like the music didn't know what it was doing.”
- “Sudden stops, bad loops and bad music change decisions made me feel emotions that I wasn't supposed to feel in those moments.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a sense of eerie intrigue and disturbing decay, enhanced by a unique art style and effective music that contribute to its unsettling tone. While it may not deliver traditional horror elements, the game's dark palette and thought-provoking themes create a compelling and immersive experience that keeps players engaged. Overall, the atmosphere is a standout feature, drawing players into its shadowy and thought-provoking world.
- “It plays out as a kinetic visual novel but accomplishes an eerie atmosphere very quickly, leaving you questioning where this is going to take you as you're pulled along by the words.”
- “On paper it's a horror game and has some fun cheeky scares, but in practice it wasn't anything horrific. I'd consider it more about the atmosphere, thoughts, and hypotheticals at play instead of any visual or content horror like imagery, violence, etc.”
- “The type of game indeed drives into the atmosphere of disturbing decay.”
- “A dark palette is blended heavily with pronounced reds and violets, creating a shadowy texture which evokes an eerie atmosphere.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The gameplay in this visual novel is minimal and unconventional, focusing more on storytelling and stylistic presentation than traditional mechanics. While the narrative and ideas are engaging, some players feel that the pacing and attempts at horror could use refinement. Overall, it is well-crafted, with a blend of interesting stories and a few gameplay elements.
- “I respect the ideas; I just think the middle needed polish for flow and hook, but nice stylization and twists in the mechanics.”
- “The best things during the gameplay were the interesting stories and the ideas present in them, and the worst things were when the game tried to make it 'scary'.”
- “There is some gameplay element to it, but it's not standard stuff.”
- “It is a visual novel, so of course, gameplay is non-existent.”
- “But this is well put-together: it's short, well-written, has nice presentation, and even has a sprinkling of gameplay elements.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
- “Replayability is there, allowing you to squeeze in another satisfying 30 minutes or so after the initial experience.”
- “The game offers a variety of choices that make each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
- “With multiple endings and different character paths, I find myself coming back to explore every possibility.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is noted as somewhat amusing, but it often contrasts with the player's expectation of fear and tension, leading to a mixed emotional experience.
- “The humor in this game is cleverly woven into the storyline, making even the scariest moments feel lighthearted.”
- “I love how the game balances humor with tension; it keeps you on your toes while still making you laugh.”
- “The witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions had me chuckling throughout my entire playthrough.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%