Endling: Extinction is Forever

Endling: Extinction Is Forever may not be perfect, but the story and experience it provides is a cut above.

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"Endling: Extinction is Forever" is a side-scrolling survival adventure game where you play as the last fox on Earth, trying to keep your cubs alive in a world destroyed by human activities. Explore devastated environments, hunt for food, and evade predators while dealing with the emotional challenges of being a mother in a harsh world. The game is designed to raise awareness about current environmental issues.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,304 reviews

story242 positive mentions

replayability5 negative mentions

Beautiful art style and graphics that enhance the emotional experience.
Powerful storytelling that effectively conveys important environmental messages without dialogue.
Engaging gameplay that balances survival mechanics with the emotional journey of a mother fox and her cubs.

Short playtime (around 4-5 hours) for the price, which may not justify the cost for some players.
Gameplay can become repetitive and lacks complexity, leading to potential boredom.
Some players experienced bugs and glitches that affected gameplay, such as cubs getting stuck or issues with navigation.

story
561 mentions
43 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story of "Endling: Extinction is Forever" is a poignant and heart-wrenching narrative that explores themes of survival, loss, and the impact of humanity on nature, all told through the perspective of a mother fox and her cubs in a dystopian world. Players are immersed in a beautifully crafted environment that conveys deep emotional weight without the use of dialogue, relying instead on visual storytelling and atmospheric elements to evoke empathy and reflection. While the gameplay may be simple and at times repetitive, the emotional depth and powerful message of the story resonate strongly, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate narrative-driven games.
- “Without speaking a word, the story manages to be moving, raw, and deeply philosophical, exploring the story of human brutality, desperation, and loss, all through the eyes of a fox mother caught in the crossfire.”
- “Endling: extinction is forever is a breathtakingly beautiful and emotionally powerful game that tells a story of survival, love, and loss like no other.”
- “The story is heartbreaking but so well done.”
- “The story is marketed as the game's main selling point, but it is also where my greatest disappointment lies.”
- “The decision to 'kill' a character twice in such a manner seemed unnecessary and felt like an attempt to artificially create a sad story.”
- “The gameplay is fairly repetitive, days feel too short, and I longed for more player agency in affecting the storyline even in small ways.”
emotional
393 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Endling: Extinction is Forever" is overwhelmingly powerful, with many players reporting deep emotional connections to the story and characters, often resulting in tears throughout gameplay. The game effectively conveys themes of love, loss, and the impact of humanity on nature, creating a heart-wrenching experience that resonates long after the credits roll. While some players found the emotional moments to be forced, the majority praised its ability to evoke genuine feelings, making it a must-play for those open to an emotional journey.
- “Endling is more than just a game—it’s an emotional and transformative experience that crawls under your skin and stays there.”
- “Endling: extinction is forever is a breathtakingly beautiful and emotionally powerful game that tells a story of survival, love, and loss like no other.”
- “This game is heartbreaking, visually appealing and so well made.”
gameplay
238 mentions
34 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Endling: Extinction is Forever" is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, often described as engaging yet repetitive. Players appreciate the balance between survival mechanics and emotional storytelling, though some find the gameplay lacks depth and can feel tedious over time. Overall, while the mechanics are straightforward and easy to grasp, they serve primarily to enhance the narrative rather than provide a complex gaming experience.
- “The mechanics are deceptively simple yet deeply impactful.”
- “The survival mechanics strike a perfect balance between challenge and accessibility.”
- “The gameplay loop is surprisingly engaging, the art style is amazing.”
- “Unfortunately, the actual gameplay let me down.”
- “The gameplay is very simple once you realize what each mechanic does, and there's a decent amount of challenge to avoid danger at nearly every turn.”
- “The gameplay itself is pretty shallow and boils down to walking to points of interest and grabbing food along the way.”
graphics
207 mentions
69 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning, hand-drawn aesthetic and immersive art style, which effectively conveys the emotional weight of the narrative. Many players appreciate the vibrant colors and detailed environments that enhance the storytelling, despite some noting that the gameplay can be repetitive. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful, captivating, and integral to the game's emotional impact.
- “The art style is absolutely stunning, with a hand-drawn aesthetic that perfectly captures the fragile beauty of a dying world.”
- “The graphics are cute and the atmosphere is mesmerizing.”
- “With stunning visuals, a captivating storyline, and a profound message about the fragility of life, this game offers a unique and memorable gaming experience.”
- “Not compatible with Intel graphics!”
- “I don't see it anywhere on the store page, but in the tech help section of the game boards, there is a known and recognized unavoidable crash with Intel graphics after the intro.”
- “The price is ridiculously high and it is not that impressive graphically to forgive it: it's neat and atmospheric but not breathtaking.”
music
129 mentions
70 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, enhancing the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Reviewers highlight how the soundtrack complements the visuals and narrative, creating a captivating and immersive experience that resonates with players. Many describe the music as hauntingly beautiful, effectively conveying the game's themes and emotional weight, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “The subtle yet impactful soundtrack amplifies the emotional weight of every moment, making this game as much a sensory experience as it is a narrative one.”
- “This game offers a well-crafted experience where art and music create an atmosphere that’s both beautiful and evocative.”
- “The music is beautiful, the baby foxes are crazy cute, and the difficulty was perfect.”
- “So you make this heartbreaking game meant to depict real-world horrors we’re supposed to take totally seriously, then you make the antagonists pyro from TF2 holding a sniper rifle, and a lanky-legged man chasing after you with an obnoxious punk rock music playing.”
- “The feeling of distress enhanced by the eerie music as the sun begins to shine and you know that you have no other choice but to tempt your luck and you'll probably end up dying.”
- “Don't expect fast-paced action but rather a moving story and a soundtrack that's accompanying the current mood and situation in every moment.”
atmosphere
27 mentions
52 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its stunning visual design, blending vibrant and somber tones that create an immersive and evocative experience. Players appreciate the environmental storytelling and haunting soundtrack, which together evoke a sense of despair and beauty, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. While some critiques mention a lack of emotional impact in the main story, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to transport players into a mesmerizing and atmospheric world.
- “The visual design is stunning, blending vibrant colors with somber tones to create an atmosphere that is simultaneously breathtaking and heartbreaking.”
- “The environmental storytelling is perfect, telling a detailed story and setting an atmosphere of despair and impending doom without any dialogue.”
- “Amazing art design, beautiful music, and overall great atmosphere!”
- “A well fleshed out indie gem with a gloomy atmosphere and a hopeful yet sad story.”
- “You play as a mother fox trying to keep her 4 baby cubs alive in a very real and nasty world much like our own; what stood out to me the most were the environments and scary dystopian atmospheres the game created.”
- “The game's atmosphere is both haunting and mesmerizing.”
replayability
16 mentions
19 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
31 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many players noting that it can be completed in just 3-4 hours and lacks significant incentives to replay, such as multiple endings or modes. While some players appreciate the narrative and immersive details, the consensus is that it is primarily a one-time experience, making it more suitable for achievement hunters rather than those seeking extensive replay value.
- “The replay value is also high, as different choices lead to new outcomes and discoveries.”
- “It would be awesome if it could give something to be done like hardcore mode for replayability or a secret ending.”
- “This game is more realistic (though you can't tell from the graphics) and also more replayable.”
- “Would recommend to get on sale because there's not a ton of replayability.”
- “I finished it in just under 5 hours, which is pretty short, and it's not very replayable, although it has a lot of highly missable achievements - use a guide if you care about those.”
- “The game is 3 hours long and has no replay value, so paying $30 for it is a little bit extreme.”
grinding
13 mentions
23 % positive mentions
-15 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often requiring significant time investment to progress. While some appreciate the story's depth and thematic relevance, many feel that the gameplay mechanics detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration and boredom. Overall, the grinding can be a major hurdle, particularly for those with shorter attention spans.
- “Grinding in this game feels rewarding and keeps me engaged for hours.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels like a chore.”
- “This can be especially tedious when you’re eager to advance and find yourself retracing steps repeatedly.”
- “Exploring boring linear paths with annoying human threats gets tedious after just an hour, and yet the game will take three times longer to complete.”
- “It needs better closure, and the way it restricts you from making progress is absolutely tedious.”
stability
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
88 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with smooth animations and minimal noticeable glitches. While some players report occasional bugs and issues, they often find these do not detract significantly from the overall experience, viewing them as part of the game's charm. However, a few users noted that certain glitches can disrupt gameplay, suggesting that some fixes may be needed.
- “The game is beautiful and runs great, showcasing impressive stability throughout my playtime.”
- “I experienced no crashes or major bugs, which made for a smooth gaming experience.”
- “The performance is solid, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the gameplay without interruptions.”
- “There are a few glitches, but that's what's expected when it's released during its initial date.”
- “For the glitches that I've had: some enemies get stuck in walk cycles, I got stuck when I was trying to steal the fish from the badger (I was in a continuous fight with it), and some later scent tracking moments were playing before the current tracking moment (with me it was the 4th tracking moment played before the 3rd tracking moment).”
- “Tl;dr: great game that communicates its message perfectly, but don't think it's worth $40 and there are a few glitches that need to be fixed.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is a blend of heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments, eliciting a range of emotions from laughter to tears. While some elements, like the fox sounds, may not be entirely authentic, they contribute to the overall lightheartedness and charm, showcasing the developers' willingness to embrace humor in unexpected ways.
- “It's made me laugh, made me scowl, made me jump out of my seat from fear, made me smile, and made me cry.”
- “Heartwrenching and heartwarming all at the same time, this game will have you laughing and crying at different times.”
- “The fox sounds are not totally authentic, but at least they picked the most comfortable ones; most developers don't dare to use fox sounds because they just make funny noises.”
optimization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users report mixed experiences with optimization, noting performance issues such as stuttering, particularly on lower-end hardware like the Steam Deck. However, even those with higher-end GPUs, such as the Iris Xe and Arc A750, have encountered similar errors, suggesting that optimization may not be fully aligned with the hardware capabilities.
- “The most recent ticket was from a user with Iris Xe graphics, but I am getting the same type of error with Arc graphics (A750), which exceed the recommended GPU specs in terms of power and performance.”
- “There were some minor performance issues here and there in the form of stutter, but that could just be because I was playing on the Deck.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
While the visuals and character designs are praised for their beauty and creativity, the reviews do not provide specific insights into the depth or progression of character development within the game.
- “The soundtrack, art style, character designs, everything is absolutely amazing!”
- “This game has very pretty visuals, colors, and character designs.”