- May 17, 2021
- Devolver Digital
Essays on Empathy
I’ve always said that the best and most interesting games are being made at the experimental level in game jams and Essays on Empathy proves that. If you’re skipping Essays, at least check out Deconstructeam’s itch.io page.
Platforms
About
"Essays on Empathy" is a narrative-driven game that explores the theme of empathy through a series of interactive vignettes. Players will confront ethical dilemmas and make choices that challenge their perspectives on complex social issues. The game encourages self-reflection and introspection, making it a thought-provoking and immersive experience. However, please note that the game contains mature themes and may not be suitable for all players.











- Essays on Empathy features a diverse collection of unique games that tackle complex themes, providing players with thought-provoking narratives and emotional depth.
- The accompanying documentaries offer valuable insights into the creative process of Deconstructeam, enhancing the overall experience and connection to the developers.
- The art style and music across the games are consistently praised, contributing to the immersive atmosphere and emotional impact of the stories.
- Many games suffer from technical issues, such as unresponsive controls, small window sizes, and lack of sound settings, which detract from the overall gameplay experience.
- The mechanics of some games are poorly explained, leading to confusion and frustration, particularly in interactive fiction where player engagement is crucial.
- Several players feel that the collection lacks polish and substance, with some games feeling more like unfinished prototypes rather than complete experiences.
- gameplay57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
The gameplay across this collection of games is notably varied, with some titles featuring innovative mechanics that enhance storytelling, while others suffer from poorly explained controls and frustrating mechanics. Many players appreciate the emotional depth and unique themes, but they often find the gameplay lacking in polish and coherence, leading to a mixed experience overall. While some games offer engaging narratives and creative concepts, the execution of gameplay mechanics frequently detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“Their work always manages to strike a deep emotional chord, blending meaningful storytelling with immersive gameplay.”
“What makes this compilation stand out isn’t just the variety of themes or the engaging mechanics but the soul behind each project.”
“I only played three of the games yet, but each of them is incredibly unique both in game mechanics and in telling a story that really makes you care about the characters.”
“I liked the idea, but I just can't get over how bad some of the mechanics are.”
“The mechanics of each game are not explained well, and it makes even just interacting with things difficult... which for interactive fiction games isn't a good thing.”
“Honestly, I don't think there's anything more I can say about it; the mechanics are janky and feel bad to control, the narrative is compelling enough but missing a lot.”
Essays on Empathy Review – Deconstructing Narrative
I’ve always said that the best and most interesting games are being made at the experimental level in game jams and Essays on Empathy proves that. If you’re skipping Essays, at least check out Deconstructeam’s itch.io page.
90%Essays on Empathy Review – A movement in the making
I am really not certain how one can distill the experience of this project into a single number. To be completely fair, the very, to put it nicely, rustic nature of throwing game jam titles unpolished into a bundle may be a bit beyond some people’s thresholds. I would also be lying were I to ignore the times where things went a bit haywire. But as it stands, I’m genuinely tossing up as to whether this could be my new favourite game of the year thus far.
90%Essays on Empathy Review
Essays on Empathy isn’t a single game, it’s a collection of 10 short experiences – none of which will be like anything you’ve played before.
70%