Event[0]

73%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,124 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Event[0] Game Cover
A tense and atmospheric, albeit brief battle of wits with an AI system will provide you with a solid evening of interactive story entertainment.
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"Event is a unique single-player horror narrative exploration game with a retro-futuristic sci-fi theme. Players build a relationship with an insecure AI entity, Kaizen, by typing messages and solve puzzles to progress through the story. The game boasts impressive visuals, physics-based rendering, and advanced lighting techniques, with an atmospheric soundscape providing an immersive experience."

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,124 reviews
story233 positive mentions
optimization14 negative mentions
  • Unique concept of interacting with an AI through typing, creating an immersive experience.
  • Engaging storyline with multiple endings that encourage replayability.
  • Beautiful retro-futuristic graphics and atmospheric sound design.
  • Very short gameplay, typically completed in 2-4 hours, which may not justify the price.
  • AI responses can be inconsistent, often misunderstanding player input.
  • Limited interactivity with the environment, primarily relying on terminals for interaction.
  • story594 mentions

    The story of *Event[0]* is a short yet intriguing sci-fi narrative centered around the player's interaction with an AI named Kaizen aboard a stranded spaceship. While many players appreciate the atmospheric world-building and the unique mechanic of conversing with the AI to uncover the plot, criticisms arise regarding the story's brevity, lack of depth, and reliance on keyword recognition, which can lead to frustrating interactions. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience for those who enjoy narrative-driven gameplay, but some feel it falls short in delivering a more substantial and engaging storyline.

    • “The story is well written, fascinating, and deeper than what it seems at first glance.”
    • “I absolutely loved this game, great combination of an unraveling mystery and creepy atmosphere really make this game something to remember.”
    • “The story is beautifully told.”
    • “The story is too short, and the game has huge loading times for a mere decent graphical performance.”
    • “The story falls apart by being rushed and crammed in at the end.”
    • “The entire story was very short and shallow.”
  • gameplay190 mentions

    The gameplay of event[0] is characterized by its unique mechanic of interacting with an AI through text-based commands, which offers an innovative but sometimes frustrating experience due to its limited comprehension and clunky controls. While the game features intriguing puzzles and a strong narrative atmosphere, many players find the overall gameplay to be short (around 2-3 hours) and lacking in depth, often feeling more like an interactive story than a fully fleshed-out game. Despite its artistic merits and novel approach, the execution leaves much to be desired, with issues such as bugs and a lack of replayability detracting from the overall experience.

    • “Free-typing as a prominent mechanic was really fun, which surprised me.”
    • “Very unique, with thick atmosphere and thought-provoking gameplay.”
    • “The interactivity with the ship's AI is a really great way to present a story, and I hope to see future games using this gameplay mechanic.”
    • “The game definitely has some merit, and the implementation of the gameplay is novel, but the storyline is predictable, there are a fair number of bugs, the control scheme is clunky, and the lack of any sort of save history meant that when I did hit a game-breaking bug close to the finale (which I reached in less than two hours, and that was with really taking my time looking around), there was no way to finish the game without starting over from scratch.”
    • “The game's (overhyped) core feature (and the only actual mechanic) is interacting with the so-called AI, but its text comprehension interface is so terrible that it very quickly becomes a frustrating gimmick rather than a mechanic that can truly carry the game.”
    • “Gameplay falls apart due to a lot of, 'now search for the next thing, and the other thing, and the other' it's like fetch quests, but you just push buttons when you get there, literally push buttons on your keyboard.”
  • graphics142 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their atmospheric quality and retro-futuristic aesthetic, drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi films like "Alien" and "2001: A Space Odyssey." While many players appreciate the visual design and detail, some report performance issues, including lag and the need to lower settings for smoother gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, enhancing the immersive experience despite some technical shortcomings.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous, the story is interesting (though easy to miss if you are not paying attention).”
    • “The visuals and atmosphere are pretty amazing considering the small hard disk footprint.”
    • “The graphics and atmosphere are top notch.”
    • “It is to be noted that the game does suffer from poor optimization, and while it isn't an issue for most of the game, some areas appear a bit more laggy than others, and you might want to lower the graphic settings even if you own a relatively powerful computer.”
    • “The graphical design is quite off, with parts of levels so dark you can't see anything and other parts with such a high density of objects it feels overwhelming, while the rest are barren wastelands.”
    • “Poorly optimized - very long loads, most other games with similar/better graphics run on my PC much better.”
  • atmosphere134 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and a unique retro-futuristic aesthetic that evokes feelings of isolation and intrigue. Players appreciate the depth and richness of the environment, often highlighting the engaging interactions with the AI, Kaizen, which enhance the overall experience. However, some reviews note that while the atmosphere is captivating, it can sometimes overshadow a lackluster story and gameplay mechanics.

    • “The atmosphere is amazing, the lore left me wanting more, and I've developed quite an endearing relationship with Kaizen, the AI pal.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game with the mood music creates the intended atmosphere of isolation, forcing the player to really empathize with Kaizen.”
    • “An imaginative, atmospheric, and cleverly designed sci-fi adventure that’s over far too quickly.”
    • “After a while, all the atmosphere that the game built up fades, and you're left with a stupid puzzle in a world that doesn't feel real anymore.”
    • “Event [0]’s tense atmosphere is a smoke-screen for what is a truly dull experience.”
    • “However, this has some severe drawbacks in establishing the atmosphere.”
  • music67 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth, with standout tracks like "Hey Judy" being particularly memorable. While some players noted the limited variety in the soundtrack, many praised its effectiveness in creating an immersive experience that complements the game's themes of isolation and exploration. Overall, the music is considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's charm and emotional impact.

    • “The music makes the experience even more immersive.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game with the mood music creates the intended atmosphere of isolation, forcing the player to really empathize with Kaizen.”
    • “The developers chose the right music and placed it in the perfect moments, and you become extremely attached to the AI.”
    • “The music consists of some extremely cringy amateurish jazz songs.”
    • “The story and music were kind of there, but nothing that got any major reactions out of me.”
    • “Music is usually the same song being repeated, so it gets a bit annoying by the end.”
  • replayability40 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting multiple endings and variations in gameplay that offer some incentive to replay, while others criticize its short length and limited replay value. Many reviews highlight that while there are opportunities for different outcomes, the overall experience may not warrant multiple playthroughs for everyone. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there is some replayability, it may not be sufficient for those seeking a longer or more varied experience.

    • “Multiple endings and your actions do somewhat matter, which adds replay value.”
    • “The game has 4 official endings, so there is replayability to make up for that price tag.”
    • “I absolutely loved this game; its comprehensive in-built AI lets you be in control of what you know and don't know about the story, with multiple endings providing semi-replayability.”
    • “I would have been quite disappointed if I'd paid $20 for a 5-hour game with almost no replayability.”
    • “There is no replay value.”
    • “With absolutely no replay value, this should be priced at 5€, at most.”
  • optimization34 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is widely criticized, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, long loading times, and inconsistent frame rates, even on capable hardware. While some users found that tweaking settings could alleviate some problems, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization to enhance the overall experience. Despite its interesting concept and good graphics, the performance shortcomings detract from the gameplay for many players.

    • “This game just needs tons of optimization.”
    • “Despite your best efforts, you might still end up with inexplicable performance hiccups.”
    • “Loading times are a bit long and it feels slightly unoptimized, and sometimes you can see that a certain animation had a lower budget than others, but it's overall worth it.”
    • “It is to be noted that the game does suffer from poor optimization, and while it isn't an issue for most of the game, some areas appear a bit more laggy than others, and you might want to lower the graphic settings even if you own a relatively powerful computer.”
    • “Clearly there was optimization possible here that just wasn't done.”
    • “Poorly optimized - very long loads, most other games with similar/better graphics run on my PC much better.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely centered around interactions with the AI character, Kaizen, who delivers witty and sometimes unexpected remarks, reminiscent of classic AI humor like that of GLaDOS. While players find moments of genuine hilarity, particularly when engaging in playful or frustrating exchanges, the overall comedic experience can be inconsistent, with some describing it as a product of its time. Overall, the humor adds a unique charm to the game, making it enjoyable during quiet play sessions, especially if caught on sale.

    • “☑ The game is frickin hilarious.”
    • “Befriend the computer, ask it lots of questions, try to make it say funny things; sometimes it says funny things, and I laugh.”
    • “Great story, hilarious AI, wonderfully creepy moments of doubt.”
  • emotional17 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, with players reporting moments of deep connection and intimacy that led to tears. The presence of an emotional AI and a compelling narrative fosters significant emotional investment, making players feel anxious, touched, and engaged in the story. Overall, the game is praised for its clever writing and the impactful, heartfelt experiences it offers.

    • “This game made me cry, and not in a big dramatic scene, but in a small intimate moment.”
    • “I truly believe I will never forget the heartfelt story this game puts you through.”
    • “I was surprised by how clever the writing turned out to be, how evocative and moody the environments were, and how emotionally invested I got in the story!”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with users reporting various glitches, including untriggered events and missing items, which detract from the experience. While the visuals are solid, players have noted significant loading times and occasional freezes, leading to a perception of the game as unpolished and buggy. Overall, these stability issues hinder the enjoyment of the game, despite its interesting premise.

    • “It is a short game (2 hours), however I found two glitches (one where an event is not triggered, and another where an item does not appear). The story is not particularly interesting.”
    • “The content is clearly not so big, but loading time is huge and there are a lot of occasional freezes.”
    • “It also struggled with lagging and game freezes on occasion.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and at times frustrating, with some puzzles being overly challenging. While the game is relatively short at around three hours, it offers decent replay value, though the controls can detract from the experience. Despite these issues, many still appreciate the game's charm and story.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding; it feels like every hour spent pays off in meaningful ways.”
    • “The grind is real, but the sense of progression keeps me coming back for more.”
    • “I love how grinding allows me to explore different strategies and build my character exactly how I want.”
    • “Which means: tedious.”
    • “And yet somehow it's also tedious.”
    • “Tedious and frustrating.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and ads, providing a more immersive experience without the interruptions commonly found in other titles. However, some users feel that despite the emphasis on player choice, their contributions to the game did not feel impactful.

    • “Normally I wouldn’t mind if it were a little janky, but for all the emphasis the game put on advertising this feature, I never once felt like my text mattered.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while the game features an engaging storyline and some character development through crew member dialogues, there is a desire for deeper backstories and more extensive character development to enhance the overall experience.

    • “The engaging storyline and character development, especially of Kaizen and various crew member dialogues found through the terminal logs, really enhance the experience.”
    • “If there had been a little more character development, it would have added a deeper backstory to the characters.”
    • “If there had been a little more character development, a deeper backstory.”
    • “The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any real growth throughout the game.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Buy Event[0]

Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 33 analyzed playthroughs

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