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.
"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.
gameplay
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
63%
11%
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.”
story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The game's storytelling is praised for its emotional depth and diversity, tackling themes such as psychological health, LGBTQ+ relationships, and personal struggles, often through innovative mechanics that enhance the narrative experience. While some players found the storytelling difficult to follow due to unclear gameplay mechanics, many appreciated the unique and poignant narratives that evoke strong emotional responses. Overall, the collection is seen as a compelling exploration of the studio's growth and creativity, offering a variety of short, impactful stories that resonate with players.
“Their work always manages to strike a deep emotional chord, blending meaningful storytelling with immersive gameplay.”
“Whether it’s picking a gift for your father or picking possibly the last flowers on earth for a memorial, every story packed a punch emotionally.”
“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.”
“While this can be interesting and fine, here also – at least for my taste – it was too on the nose and like the game mechanics were not great to carry the story.”
“There’s some story and the gameplay is short, requiring you only to look through the options and pick one.”
“The story becomes progressively more depressing as you delve deeper into the characters' broken relationship and expectations of Victorine.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
49%
13%
The music in this collection is consistently praised for its quality and atmospheric contribution to the gaming experience, enhancing the narratives and art direction. Players appreciate the inclusion of a comprehensive soundtrack, with standout tracks that elevate the emotional depth of the games. Overall, the integration of music and sound design is highlighted as a key strength, making the games not only enjoyable to play but also compelling to listen to.
“I really enjoy the graphics, the music, and the storytelling in both games.”
“Compelling narratives, consistently great music, beautiful art, relatable and believable characters.”
“The music never fails.”
“Just listen to the soundtrack, even if you did not like the games.”
“With its engaging dialogue, gloomy pixel-art aesthetic, and ambient synth soundtrack, this game oozes style from every pixel.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the games, particularly in "Essays on Empathy," is highlighted by their ability to evoke deep feelings through meaningful storytelling and immersive gameplay. Players appreciate the heartfelt insights into the creators' journeys, which enhance the connection between developer and player. Notable titles like "Behind Every Great One" and "De Tres Al Cuarto" tackle sensitive topics such as emotional abuse and personal struggles, leaving a lasting impact and often challenging players emotionally.
“Their work always manages to strike a deep emotional chord, blending meaningful storytelling with immersive gameplay.”
“Essays on empathy is no exception—it’s a collection that not only invites you to experience thoughtfully crafted, intimate games but also offers a heartfelt glimpse into the creators' journey.”
“Behind every great one is a game that needs to be played in order to fully grasp how strong and emotional it is.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, particularly the pixel art, which effectively enhances the atmospheric experience. Players appreciate how the visuals complement the storytelling and themes, creating an engaging and emotionally resonant narrative. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall aesthetic and integration of graphics with music and sound design are considered exceptional.
“I really enjoy the graphics, the music, and the storytelling in both games.”
“With its engaging dialogue, gloomy pixel-art aesthetic, and ambient synth soundtrack, this game oozes style from every pixel.”
“The graphics, together with the music and the sound design, work together perfectly with the narratives.”
“While the pixel graphics are fantastic and the atmosphere in most of the games is terrific, I still cannot recommend getting it.”
“While some graphic scenes of self-mutilation and PTSD were shown, the 8-bit pixel sprites reduce the grotesque factor.”
“Each of it has solid concepts and is able to touch our hearts or tickle our brains even with minimal gameplay, artwork, and sound design.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
11%
33%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its fantastic pixel graphics and immersive soundtracks, creating a gripping and often chilling experience. Players appreciate the deep contrasts between ancient technology and futuristic elements, which enhance the narrative's emotional weight and complexity. Overall, the atmosphere is described as bold, melancholic, and thought-provoking, effectively drawing players into its unique world.
“Using life as a vessel of currency adds a dreadful atmosphere to the game as you watch these characters barter even with their kin to gratify their wishes.”
“This title is melancholy, chilling, and is dripping with a disturbing atmosphere like a blood-soaked cloth.”
“Integrating ancient technology with the futuristic cyberpunk atmosphere creates a deep contrast between the freelancer’s intent of unveiling mysteries—and the thrill of scheming via futuristic manipulation methods such as voice changing, quick information hacking, and more.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game collection is notably poor, with users reporting numerous game-breaking glitches, bugs, and unfinished mechanics that hinder gameplay. Many players find themselves getting stuck in the environment, and the overall experience feels more like a collection of demos rather than polished titles.
“The game functions but it's super buggy and it's easy to get stuck in a wall or the floor.”
“The game is buggy and it's hard to figure out what the next step would be.”
“A collection of unfinished extremely buggy games.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by self-deprecating jokes, particularly from the comedic duo Garzo and Bonachera, which adds a lighthearted touch. Players experience a mix of successful punchlines and humorous failures, creating an engaging atmosphere that can lead to both laughter and embarrassment. Overall, the humor is a notable aspect, even if it may not resonate with everyone.
“The phrase 'three for a quarter' showcases self-deprecating humor about how Garzo and Bonachera view their comedic duo.”
“Cards will either build upon a joke, execute a hilarious punchline, or fail miserably and embarrass you in front of an entire crowd.”
“The funny thing is, I really did get lost in the game; I don’t think I ever found the aliens. It's been a little while since I played this one, but it's not something I'm super into.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players appreciate the high replayability of the game, citing the exploration of various concepts and satisfying mechanics as key factors. The presence of multiple dialogue options and six possible endings further enhances the incentive to replay the game.
“I love the exploration of different concepts in each game, many of which are very satisfying to experiment with and offer great replayability.”
“The different dialogues provide a lot of replayability, with six possible endings you can achieve.”
“The different dialogues provide a lot of replayability, with six possible endings you can come up with.”
“I love the exploration between different concepts in each game, a lot of which were very satisfying to mess around with and leave room for replayability.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
While some games feature tedious and unfulfilling grinding mechanics, the majority are well-received and enjoyable.
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
300%
Reviewers highlight that Supercontinent excels in character development and world-building, achieving more depth in just thirty minutes than some larger titles, like Cyberpunk 2077, manage throughout their entire narratives.
“Impressively, Supercontinent somehow manages to achieve more character development and world-building in thirty minutes than games like Cyberpunk 2077 do in their entire narrative.”
“The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving me disconnected from the story.”
“I expected more depth from the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and forgettable.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in character development makes the gameplay feel monotonous.”