DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale
- September 16, 2019
- trisbee
- 5h median play time
The fun combat and dialogue aren’t fun enough to make DON’T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale stand out. It’s difficult not to compare a game that looks like this to Undertale, but even throwing that comparison out the window, this adventure is lacking.
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Get on itch.io Store"DON'T GIVE UP: A Cynical Tale" is a humorous, pixel-art RPG about a jaded hero, Tristan, who sets out to save the world from impending doom. Along the way, he'll encounter quirky characters, face challenging battles, and uncover the power of friendship and self-belief. The game features a unique, text-based combat system and a satirical narrative that pokes fun at classic RPG tropes.
Reviews
- The game features a unique and engaging combat system that combines elements of action and rhythm, making battles fun and challenging.
- The story is compelling and relatable, tackling themes of mental illness with humor and depth, allowing players to connect with the characters on a personal level.
- The art style and music are standout features, creating a vibrant atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- The combat can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustration during challenging boss battles.
- There are several plot holes and a lack of character development for supporting characters, which detracts from the overall narrative experience.
- Navigation can be confusing, with unclear directions and environmental interactions that may leave players feeling lost.
- story44 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its engaging and relatable themes, particularly around mental health, humor, and emotional depth, making it a compelling experience for players. However, some reviewers noted issues with plot holes and a lack of character development towards the end, which detracted from the overall narrative impact. Despite these criticisms, many found the storytelling innovative and enjoyable, with a strong focus on character journeys and emotional resonance.
“The story is really good, and I want to keep learning more about our main character and everyone else.”
“Furthermore, the game compresses more story and nuance in 8-10 hours than most JRPGs manage in over quadruple the time.”
“Don’t Give Up: A Cynical Tale is an excellently crafted story-filled RPG, with great artwork, great music, masterful writing, and witty self-deprecating humor.”
“Don't give up has an interesting premise, but in my opinion it falls short halfway through the story.”
“The villain seemed interesting but as soon as its intentions are revealed, I lost all hope for the game's story.”
“The story also has plot holes, especially as you progress towards the end, and in some way it took me out of the story since some of the information on the characters is just left out.”
- humor22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is a standout feature, blending relatable observations with darker themes, resulting in a mix of cringe comedy and poignant writing. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and charming characters, often drawing comparisons to classics like *Undertale* and *Earthbound*. While the humor is generally well-received, some feel that it occasionally lacks payoff, yet it remains a compelling and enjoyable aspect of the overall experience.
“Much of the humor lands, ranging from relatable observations to some cringe comedy, but generally you'll be rooting for the main character as opposed to laughing at him.”
“And there's enough humor to make the moments where things get serious really stand out.”
“I enjoyed the story and mix of funny/clever and serious/emotional dialogue that also feels self-aware.”
- music21 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in "Don't Give Up: A Cynical Tale" is widely praised as one of the game's standout features, described as fantastic, nostalgic, and evocative, with comparisons to the soundtrack of *Undertale*. While some users noted issues with volume mixing and repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack significantly enhances the game's charm and emotional impact, making it a memorable experience. Many players expressed a desire for a soundtrack release, highlighting specific tracks as particularly enjoyable and well-crafted.
“The music is honestly probably my favorite aspect of the game thus far.”
“Ultimately, this game is weird, janky, and kind of interesting, and, most importantly, it has a really, really good soundtrack.”
“Musically, Don't Give Up is outstanding; the soundtrack is evocative, complex, and enjoyable.”
“Its got a banging soundtrack too, although somewhat repetitive and loud at times.”
“This is a kind of weird and janky game that is carried *really* hard by its music.”
“No like really why can't I buy this soundtrack?”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by interesting mechanics that require mastery of simple combat, which can initially feel clunky but becomes enjoyable over time. While the focus leans more towards storytelling, the combat system remains fun despite some technical and mechanical issues that can frustrate players. Overall, the experience is engaging, though some users noted imprecision in combat mechanics that can hinder progress.
“Super interesting mechanics, and I like that the game forces you to really master its otherwise very simple combat mechanics.”
“I like the focus on story over gameplay, yet the combat system still manages to be fun without being bogged down in gear and stat optimization.”
“Addicting and fast-paced story with solid and fun battle gameplay.”
“I'm about 3 hours in and am getting stuck against a boss because the combat system mechanics are imprecise.”
“The entire experience tells you that the developer focus was on storytelling, and not gameplay.”
“However, the game suffers from a few gameplay issues that reduce the quality slightly.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their engaging pixelated art style, particularly during combat scenes, which enhances the overall experience. While some elements may be jarring, the retro aesthetic combined with modern influences creates a visually appealing world that resonates well with fans of indie games. The artwork is complemented by a strong soundtrack, contributing to the game's charm and storytelling.
“The art style is very nice and it really peaks during the combat scenes which keeps the game interesting to play.”
“I like the retro style graphics and the not-so-retro music.”
“Amazing game - exactly what I was looking for since I'm really into pixel graphics, also good storyline and really funny too (kind of reminds me of Undertale).”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartfelt storytelling and relatable character experiences, though some players felt that supporting characters lacked depth and agency. The narrative evokes a range of feelings, from nostalgia to introspection, often drawing comparisons to classic emotional RPGs. Overall, the game is praised for its charming and honest approach, effectively balancing humor with poignant moments.
“Kinda made me cry, ngl.”
“Again, this game made me feel like someone understood me.”
“Incredibly charming and heartfelt game, with wonderful music.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the grinding system for its strategic approach, favoring occasional encounters over random ones, which enhances the experience, particularly when managing character levels. This design choice is seen as a positive departure from traditional JRPG mechanics.
“Grinding feels tedious and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“The amount of time required to level up is excessive, leading to burnout and frustration.”
“I find the grinding mechanics to be a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game heavily emphasizes the emotional journey of the main character, Tris, the plot structure may hinder a more expansive character arc, as key moments of development occur earlier than the climax, creating a disconnect between character growth and narrative progression.
“The character development in this game is incredibly rich, allowing players to witness the evolution of the protagonist in a deeply emotional way.”
“I appreciate how the game intricately weaves character arcs into the narrative, making each character's journey feel significant and impactful.”
“The way the characters grow and change throughout the story adds layers of depth, making their struggles and triumphs resonate with the player.”
“I think the plot prevents the main character from having a wider arc. It feels like the climax of Tris's character development happens significantly sooner than the actual climax of the game, which feels at odds with the game's heavy focus on Tris's emotional journey.”
“The character development feels rushed and inconsistent, leaving me unsatisfied with the growth of the main character throughout the game.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of depth in character development; the characters felt one-dimensional and their arcs were predictable.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players note that while their initial playtime may be limited, there is potential for replayability, suggesting an average total playtime of around 10 hours.
“I only have 6.3 hours, but there is some replay value, so I'm sure it probably averages out at 10 hours.”
“I only have 6.3 hours, but there is some replay value as well, so I'm sure it probably averages out at 10 hours.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, while the game experiences some glitches, players are willing to overlook these issues due to its status as a passion project, often resulting in high ratings despite the stability concerns.
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced several bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
“The stability issues really detracted from what could have been a great game.”
