Education
- April 23, 2020
- Tonguç Bodur
"Education" is a short horror game set in an abandoned school haunted by the main character's past. Explore six atmospheric levels, solve puzzles, and uncover the mystery through diaries and newspapers. The game features a thrilling soundtrack, immersive sound design, and collectibles to find. Progress is saved at the beginning of each level. The core focus is on creating a chilling and immersive atmosphere.
Reviews
- The game features good graphics and a creepy atmosphere, effectively creating a sense of unease.
- It offers a unique story that addresses real issues, specifically the karmic repercussions of bullying.
- The gameplay is short and straightforward, making it accessible for those who enjoy lite horror and walking simulators.
- The game is very short, with a playtime of around 30-60 minutes, which may leave players wanting more content.
- There are several bugs and glitches, including issues with the flashlight and getting stuck in the environment.
- The story can feel thin and confusing, with some players finding it difficult to engage with the character's motivations and the overall narrative.
- story32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as simplistic and somewhat disjointed, with players noting a lack of depth and coherence despite some intriguing elements. While some appreciate the attempt to weave a narrative through notes and items, many feel that the story is overshadowed by gameplay mechanics and insufficient exposition, leaving it feeling thin or confusing. Overall, it seems to cater more to fans of atmospheric exploration rather than those seeking a robust narrative experience.
“You will locate batteries, keys, a few other items, and notes to tell the story.”
“I think I found everything there was to find, and the story was okay, maybe even a bit unexpected as you usually get the opposite point of view to a story like this.”
“Short puzzle game with a cool atmosphere and an engaging story.”
“With a simple plot and even simpler gameplay, the game is barely serviceable in what it sets out to do.”
“As a walking sim, the story should be really important and I kind of missed the story on this one... for a one-hour game there simply was not enough explanation.”
“Story is nonsense and the player character is a completely unlikable jackwagon who did a bunch of horrible stuff when he was a kid, up to and including causing another person's suicide, and doesn't feel bad about any of it at all.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently described as dark, oppressive, and creepy, effectively enhancing the experience of exploring an abandoned school setting. While some players noted the presence of minor jumpscares, many emphasized that the true strength lies in the atmospheric tension and engaging music, which contribute to a compelling, immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its ability to evoke a sense of unease and intrigue, despite mixed opinions on its scariness.
“I see some other reviews saying it's not scary at all, but it's more of an atmospheric game.”
“Short puzzle game with a cool atmosphere and an engaging story.”
“It’s still a walking simulator with a couple puzzles and some minor exploration, but it’s also got a dark and oppressive atmosphere.”
“There were two minor jumpscares in the game, but otherwise, it’s all atmosphere and figuring out how to progress through this abandoned and decayed school where you had once been the rich kid bully, within which you now find yourself trapped.”
“Did like the overall graphics and atmosphere, but we all know that alone does not make a good game.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally well-received, with users noting that they are competent and contribute to the overall atmosphere, particularly in the context of a horror setting. While some moments are graphic, they are not overly disturbing, making the visuals accessible even to those less inclined towards horror. Overall, for a budget title, the graphics are considered impressive.
“For a 2 dollar game, the graphics are pretty good.”
“I did like the overall graphics and atmosphere, but we all know that alone does not make a good game.”
“Graphically competent, especially due to the use of assets, the game sees you walking around an abandoned school, trying to figure out your past errors and come to terms with it.”
“Did like the overall graphics and atmosphere, but we all know that alone does not make a good game.”
- music7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized by a mix of unnerving and haunting tracks that enhance the atmosphere, with ambient sounds contributing to a spooky experience. While some users appreciated the relaxing music and beautiful scenery, others noted a lack of the impactful soundtracks found in previous titles by the developer. Overall, the music effectively complements the game's mood, earning positive feedback from players.
“In general, Tonguc Bodur develops walking sims with beautiful scenery and relaxing music.”
“I liked the music; it went well with the atmosphere. (5/5)”
“As far as audio is concerned, there is a splash of voice acting, but most of the audio tracks take the form of unnerving music and haunting sounds such as distant screams, doors opening and closing on their own, etc…”
“The ambient sounds and music were even a little spooky.”
“The soundtrack is a bit creepy but lacks the music that has set the mood in his previous games.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for its simplicity and lack of engagement, with many players finding it tedious and unfulfilling. While some appreciate the puzzle-solving mechanics and exploration elements, others feel that the overall experience is marred by poor sound effects and a frustrating battery mechanic. Overall, the game offers limited depth and can feel like a waste of time for many players.
“Game mechanics are well put together; solving a puzzle in one room leads to a key to open the next, and there are a lot of locked doors, empty rooms, and hallways to explore.”
“30 minutes of gameplay (I finished 2 times to check if I missed something).”
“With a simple plot and even simpler gameplay, the game is barely serviceable in what it sets out to do.”
“This game was the biggest waste of time ever. The graphics and gameplay are terrible, and the voice acting is boring. Do not buy; I regret it so much.”
“Most of the gameplay consists of exploration and unlocking doors while reading journal entries and newspaper articles, though there is the occasional puzzle.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game performs well on high-end systems, achieving a steady 60fps, particularly on setups that meet or exceed the recommended specifications. This positive performance is attributed more to the capabilities of the Unreal Engine 4 than to the game itself, suggesting that users with adequate hardware are likely to experience good optimization.
“It runs very well on my AMD 5700 RX / AMD 12-core / 24-thread Threadripper / 32GB memory system, at a constant 60 FPS. Your mileage might vary, but I suspect anyone who meets the general recommended specs will have good performance. Although that speaks more to the Unreal 4 engine rather than to the game, Unreal is far superior to Unity any day when it comes to ease of optimization and maintaining steady FPS.”