Estranged: The Departure

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 264 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Estranged: The Departure Game Cover
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Estranged: Act II is a first-person adventure game that continues the story of Alan Edward's survival on a mysterious island. Players will encounter new characters, discover the truth behind the island's inhabitants, and solve intricate puzzles to progress. The game features a rich, immersive environment and a gripping narrative that will keep players engaged.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 264 reviews
story43 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful graphics and diverse environments, showcasing impressive visuals for a solo-developed title.
  • The atmosphere is well-crafted, creating a sense of mystery and tension that enhances the overall experience.
  • The arcade modes, particularly 'Warehouse Horde', are addictive and provide enjoyable detours from the main gameplay.
  • The combat mechanics are underwhelming, with enemies posing little threat and gunplay feeling unsatisfying.
  • The story lacks depth and coherence, often feeling rushed or poorly implemented, leading to confusion in the narrative.
  • The game is relatively short, with some players feeling it doesn't justify its price compared to the free first act.
  • story110 mentions

    The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some praising its immersive and well-paced narrative, particularly in the context of a zombie setting, while others criticize it for being poorly developed and lacking coherence, especially in later acts. Many players appreciate the atmosphere and emotional depth, but some feel that the plot becomes confusing and fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion. Overall, the story is seen as a strong point for some, but a significant drawback for others, depending on individual expectations and experiences.

    • “I wholeheartedly enjoyed this game due to the beautiful, fitting, and diverse environments, the great slow-burn storytelling, and great production quality.”
    • “One of the best zombie-setting games I have played recently, the story plays out smoothly and tragically at the end when John wanders around the corner as a rotter.”
    • “Estranged: The Departure's beautiful visuals and intriguing story make it well worth a playthrough for those that crave a new adventure.”
    • “It's clear that the developer only really planned out the mod and the first act of this game because everything else seemed rushed as hell or just poorly implemented; the story goes nowhere, the combat is way too easy, and the visuals remind me of a business email in how lifeless they look.”
    • “But I think the worst aspect of all is the story, and the biggest downgrade from what was essentially the demo back in 2014, is the plot.”
    • “In reality, the story makes no sense, 'levels' make no sense, the whole thing doesn't make any sense and doesn't seem to have any purpose to exist other than... to demonstrate that this can be 'achieved' (? I've no idea).”
  • graphics53 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the significant improvements and impressive visuals that rival AAA titles from 2021. However, some players noted issues with performance and lifelessness in certain areas, suggesting that while the graphics are generally good, they can feel inconsistent or poorly implemented in parts. Overall, the game's visual fidelity and atmospheric design are highlighted as strong points, making it a visually appealing experience despite some technical drawbacks.

    • “Estranged: the departure's beautiful visuals and intriguing story make it well worth a playthrough for those that crave a new adventure.”
    • “All in all, I enjoyed this a lot; even though it's pretty well linear, it features some great graphics and textures - and frankly fabulous lighting effects - and gives a few hours of fun in a load of different environments.”
    • “Game runs incredibly well, and the visuals are very impressive.”
    • “It's clear that the developer only really planned out the mod and the first act of this game because everything else seemed rushed as hell or just poorly implemented; the story goes nowhere, the combat is way too easy, and the visuals remind me of a business email in how lifeless they look.”
    • “The video will be lagging like hell if you don't set the graphics settings to medium :( trust me, I learned the hard way twice.. wasted 3 hours.”
    • “The graphics also look really uncanny.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its orchestration and ability to enhance the atmosphere, particularly during tense moments. However, some players note issues with volume balance and occasional forgettability, while others find certain tracks reminiscent of outdated synthesizer styles. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant aspect of the game, contributing to both immersion and emotional impact.

    • “One of the best things were perfect soundtracks to every scene!”
    • “The music and sounds will give you an adrenaline rush at certain points, and at other points, the music is just gorgeous.”
    • “In fact, it might be the most beautiful game I've played, with glorious vistas, hyper-realistic textures, excellent modeling, and a sound design and music score that are soaring.”
    • “The music for certain events is either too loud or goes on even when the event is already over.”
    • “Game feels a bit old, and also graphic, and the music is like from 80s horrors.”
    • “The fisherman tried to escape from the company by going up to the underground garage, the music that arose was pulling me out of the game.”
  • gameplay36 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its solid mechanics, impressive graphics, and engaging atmosphere, while others criticize it for being simplistic, linear, and lacking variety, particularly in enemy design and weapon options. Although certain arcade modes and level designs are highlighted as enjoyable, many players feel that the overall experience can be overshadowed by boredom and a lack of depth. Ultimately, the game retains elements from its predecessor but struggles to innovate beyond basic FPS mechanics.

    • “The huge leap in graphics and gameplay tweaks are impressive, the arcade modes such as warehouse horde offer addictive detours, and the shorts are profound; but my favorite part is near the end - the shipwrecks and windmill farm, which is shown in one of the screenshots.”
    • “Its definitely only a minor gripe, the game's atmosphere, gameplay, and story are absolutely fantastic.”
    • “Great eerie atmosphere, fluid gameplay with no bugs and nice graphics.”
    • “Sure, it's only like 6 bucks, the engine change from Source 1 to UE4 is amazing, but overall what you're getting is a bare-bones walking simulator with some mediocre FPS mechanics and boring enemies to fight.”
    • “The game is exceptionally boring; all the good technical aspects are overshadowed by very boring and insipid gameplay.”
    • “I guess we should talk about the gameplay, though there really isn't much of it.”
  • atmosphere27 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the mystery exploration and survival experience. While some players note that certain non-combat sections can feel prolonged and the level design may be claustrophobic, the overall ambiance, complemented by well-timed music and sound, significantly contributes to the enjoyment of puzzle-solving and gameplay. The atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making the game engaging despite its occasional pacing issues.

    • “Perfect atmosphere for the mystery exploration/survival genres.”
    • “It packs in a great deal of atmosphere which sets the tone wonderfully, and makes spending time as you try to figure out the puzzles more enjoyable.”
    • “Great eerie atmosphere, fluid gameplay with no bugs and nice graphics.”
    • “I love the simplicity of linear gameplay, but the atmosphere, lack of music (music is in the game at appropriate times), world setting, etc., completely sells it for me.”
    • “As at times the non-combat sections where you're breathing in the atmosphere do stretch on for a bit too long to the point where it starts to lose your attention, and the reveal of the zombies was a decidedly lackluster affair.”
    • “While there is action and shooting, the emphasis is on the atmosphere, not jumpscares or mindless shooting.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game is praised for its impressive graphics and strong technical optimization, ensuring smooth performance. However, despite its visual appeal, players find the world navigation and combat mechanics lacking in enjoyment.

    • “The graphics looked good and performance was great.”
    • “Not only is it very pretty, it's also very well optimized.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game effectively incorporates humor to alleviate tension and horror, with early puzzles showcasing a playful contrast that adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

    • “It also has an element of humor that breaks up the tension and the horror.”
    • “Funny enough, one of the first puzzles in the game is the opposite.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players express that grinding in the game is so demanding that it feels like it requires an extra life to manage effectively.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Overall, while the game experiences some glitches, they do not significantly impact the main content, leading reviewers to still recommend it, particularly for exploration enthusiasts.

  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find the game to be exceptionally emotional, highlighting it as a source of some of the most touching moments they've experienced in gaming. Its ability to evoke strong feelings contributes significantly to its overall impact.

    • “This game is very special, and I had some of the most emotional and touching moments ever in a game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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