ESC
- May 15, 2020
- Lena Raine
- 14h median play time
Get on Steam"ESC" is a single-player Horror Visual Novel game, immersing players in the text-based world of VerdaMUCK within the cerebrally-interconnected network of the future. As Raine, explore memories and uncover a conspiracy alongside The Navigator, while experiencing a spectacular story and beautiful soundtrack by Lena Raine & Christa Lee. With glitch art visuals and dynamic sound design, "ESC" explores themes of identity and roleplay in a 4-6 hour simulated typing gameplay experience.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The writing and storytelling are phenomenal, creating a deeply immersive experience that keeps players engaged from start to finish.
- The soundtrack, composed by Lena Raine, is outstanding and enhances the overall atmosphere of the game, making it a must-play with headphones.
- ESC is a unique and thought-provoking visual novel that explores complex themes and offers a captivating narrative, making it a hidden gem in the gaming world.
- The game has very limited interactivity, feeling more like reading a book than playing a traditional game, which may not appeal to everyone.
- Some players found the story confusing and felt that it took too long to become engaging, potentially discouraging those looking for immediate payoff.
- The gameplay relies heavily on typing and reading, which may not be enjoyable for those who prefer more action-oriented or puzzle-based experiences.
- story100 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story is described as complex and thought-provoking, often requiring multiple playthroughs to fully grasp its intricacies. Players are drawn in by its engaging narrative, memorable characters, and a unique presentation that combines music and visuals to enhance the experience. While linear in structure, the story is filled with twists and themes that resonate deeply, making it a captivating journey worth experiencing.
“Imo it's best to go in here blind - just dive in and get wrecked by a story full of twists and turns and some excellently written characters.”
“This story is beautiful, a truly enrapturing exploration of identity and social experience.”
“Every element of this piece comes together to tell a compelling story and it does this really nicely.”
“Another notable thing is that this story is extremely complex, and you'll most likely have to replay certain chapters or the entire story a few times to understand it.”
“It's a linear story, so know that going in.”
“Therefore, you cannot make a difference in this story, you can only read what happens and try to make sense of this crazy world Lena Raine has put together.”
- music66 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game, composed by Lena Raine, is universally praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the narrative experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, describing it as amazing, moody, and immersive, with many recommending the use of headphones for the best experience. Overall, the music is seen as a crucial element that complements the game's storytelling and atmosphere, making it a significant reason to play.
“Lena's soundtrack is amazing, as any sane person would expect.”
“This was an amazing experience that left me completely enthralled from start to finish with an incredible soundtrack and atmosphere to complement it all.”
“It's incredibly immersive and captivating with music that fills you with so many emotions.”
“Esc's music is alternately spooky and endearing.”
“Another important thing is that sound and music is one of, if not the largest ways it communicates with you, so please have headphones or earbuds on when playing Esc (at least for the first time).”
“When I went into this game as a fan of Lena Raine's music in other games, I felt I would be surprised if someone so incredibly capable at composing was able to show similar expertise when it came to other, similarly difficult to master fields of game design and storytelling.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are highly praised for their ability to beautifully complement and enhance the narrative, creating a visually stunning experience that captivates players. Many reviewers highlight the game's aesthetic as "wallpaper-worthy" and "super cool," contributing to an immersive storytelling atmosphere. Overall, the visuals, along with the sound design, play a crucial role in engaging players from the very beginning.
“The visuals beautifully accompany and enhance the story.”
“Great soundtrack, visuals, story, just everything is stellar.”
“However, the music, visuals, and its presentation as a video game serve to enhance the narrative.”
“- wallpaper-worthy graphics”
“- wallpaper-worthy graphics”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its enthralling and immersive qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and well-crafted writing. Reviewers highlight the effective use of music and ominous visuals to create a slowly building, awe-inspiring ambiance that complements the narrative beautifully. Overall, the combination of these elements results in a phenomenal atmospheric experience that deeply engages players.
“First off, the writing, music, and atmosphere are phenomenal.”
“With only text, beautifully-scary music, and ominous backdrops, the atmosphere slowly establishes, and it's awe-inspiring the way it does.”
“Lovely music from both, and that doesn't stop them from creating a wonderful atmosphere that fits the story for this novel.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for its lack of interactivity and choice, primarily consisting of pressing keys to advance text, which some players found disappointing. However, despite its simplicity, many still regard it as a highly enjoyable experience, highlighting that enjoyment can sometimes transcend traditional gameplay mechanics.
“The gameplay is no more than pressing keys to progress the text and yet, despite this simplicity, it's still one of the best experiences I've had in gaming in a long while.”
“- you are specifically looking for non-linearity and gameplay and couldn't set that aside for a very nice experience.”
“It isn't much of a game, there's no gameplay or any kind of choice here.”
“You are specifically looking for non-linearity and gameplay and couldn't set that aside for a very nice experience.”
“I should probably have looked up some reviews or looked more into the gameplay before I bought it, but it's too late for that.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by witty and engaging dialogue filled with references to mud tropes, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the blend of gripping storytelling and lighthearted discussions, particularly around roleplaying and pen & paper games, all set against a backdrop of impressive music and visuals.
“Amazing music, amazing visuals, funny and interesting dialogue with plenty of references to mud tropes.”
“Gripping, mysterious, funny, and beautifully scored.”
“If you enjoy stream-of-consciousness writing, world-building, cyberpunk, and discussions and humor about roleplaying and pen & paper games, this is for you.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional impact of the game to be significant, particularly highlighting a bittersweet ending that evokes strong feelings, with some expressing that it brought them to tears.
“The ending was bittersweet, and the chapter right before the epilogue made me cry because I'm just that sort of person.”
