Event[0]

About

"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,810 reviews

story397 positive mentions

optimization21 negative mentions

Unique and innovative gameplay that allows players to interact with an AI through typing.
Engaging story with multiple endings that encourages exploration and interaction.
Beautiful graphics and atmospheric design that enhance the overall experience.

Very short gameplay, typically completed in 2-4 hours, which may not justify the price.
The AI's responses can be inconsistent and often irrelevant, leading to frustration.
Limited interactivity with the environment, as players can only interact with terminals and not objects.

story
1,015 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
57%
4%
The story of *Event[0]* is a unique blend of sci-fi mystery and interactive narrative, primarily driven by the player's conversations with the ship's AI, Kaizen. While many players appreciate the intriguing premise and atmospheric setting, opinions vary on the depth and execution of the story, with some finding it engaging yet short, and others criticizing it for being underdeveloped and linear. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience for those who enjoy piecing together narratives through exploration and dialogue, despite its brevity and occasional frustrations with the AI's limitations.
- “This is a really fun bite-sized story game that involves interacting with a funny little AI computer program to progress through the story.”
- “The atmosphere is gorgeous, the storyline is eerie and unsettling but so unique, the soundtrack is honestly my favorite out of any game I have ever played.”
- “The story is captivating, so is the environment, but the price tag would've been a bit steep for me.”
- “The main issue is that the story has no substance and comes across as pretentious: all surface, no substance despite some buzzwords being used and an initial backstory that bears absolutely no effect on the story.”
- “The game, although it has brilliant ideas and a unique setting and atmosphere, has a very underwhelming story.”
- “The story is lackluster and none of the themes the game is implicitly driving at are ever delivered on, and the narrative lacks logic when analyzed.”
gameplay
324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
71%
3%
The gameplay of event[0] is characterized by its unique mechanic of interacting with an AI through text input, which offers a novel experience but can feel limited and frustrating due to its reliance on keyword recognition. While the game features intriguing puzzles and a compelling atmosphere, many players find the overall experience short, averaging around 2-3 hours, and not fully satisfying given its price point. Despite its innovative approach, the gameplay often feels more like a narrative-driven experience than a traditional game, leading to mixed reviews regarding its depth and replayability.
- “It's so unique and innovative in terms of gameplay and mechanics.”
- “The gameplay involves a lot of typing, but it's pretty awesome.”
- “The unique gameplay of actually 'talking' to someone in order to interact with the environment is fascinating!”
- “The gameplay was so-so, and the main mechanic was more of an obstacle than an asset.”
- “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.”
- “For two hours of sub-par gameplay mixed with the thrilling conversational skills of Cleverbot.”
graphics
242 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
42%
2%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful retro-futuristic aesthetic and atmospheric environments reminiscent of classic sci-fi films like "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Alien." However, players also report significant performance issues, including high resource demands and optimization problems that can lead to lag, even on powerful systems. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered good for an indie title, they are marred by technical shortcomings that detract from the experience.
- “The visuals of this game itself are incredible, not including the fact that the story can change based on how you interact with the world.”
- “The graphics and atmosphere are top notch.”
- “The graphics are gorgeous, very atmospheric and immersive, but this level of detail needs content to be worth anything.”
- “It's ironic that I believe one of the many AI graphics upscalers that are readily available could have helped minimize this while they were making the game.”
- “The game is on the negative side not very long (if you only want to experience one end) and the graphics aren't for older graphics cards.”
- “A fair warning: the bloom effect is a bit overdone and kills graphical performance (20 fps?!).”
atmosphere
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
74%
25%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and beautifully crafted environment, often described as eerie, unsettling, and reminiscent of classic sci-fi aesthetics. Players appreciate the combination of stunning visuals, a captivating soundtrack, and the engaging interactions with the AI companion, Kaizen, which enhance the overall experience. However, many reviews note that while the atmosphere is strong, the story often feels underdeveloped or lacking depth, leaving players wanting more from the narrative.
- “The atmosphere is gorgeous, the storyline is eerie and unsettling but so unique, the soundtrack is honestly my favorite out of any game I have ever played.”
- “The atmosphere is fantastic and the story is great.”
- “The atmosphere of the game with the mood music creates the intended atmosphere of isolation, forcing the player to really empathize with Kaizen.”
- “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.”
music
115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for the standout song "Hey Judy," which enhances the atmospheric and emotional depth of the experience. Reviewers noted that while the soundtrack is limited, its quality and integration into the gameplay are exceptional, contributing significantly to the game's eerie and immersive environment. Overall, the music is described as beautiful, impactful, and a key element that elevates the game's narrative and aesthetic.
- “The atmosphere is gorgeous, the storyline is eerie and unsettling but so unique, the soundtrack is honestly my favorite out of any game I have ever played.”
- “The music makes the experience even more immersive.”
- “The soundtrack is just amazing in this game too.”
- “The music consists of some extremely cringy amateurish jazz songs.”
- “Only a little atmospheric music, not enough even for such a short playthrough.”
- “The music is usually the same song being repeated, so it gets a bit annoying by the end.”
replayability
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
74%
11%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the multiple endings and the ability to approach interactions differently, while others find the overall replay value limited due to its short length and predictable story. Although there are opportunities for varied playthroughs, many reviewers express disappointment in the lack of substantial content to warrant repeated plays, especially given the game's price point. Overall, while there is some replay value, particularly for those interested in exploring different outcomes, it may not satisfy players seeking a longer, more engaging experience.
- “Short but worth it if you like exploring, mysteries, and replayable games with multiple endings.”
- “The game has 4 official endings, so there is replayability to make up for that price tag.”
- “The unique mechanic of interacting with Kaizen puts Event[0]'s replay value through the roof.”
- “I would have been quite disappointed if I'd paid $20 for a 5-hour game with almost no replayability.”
- “The story's twists are hopelessly predictable, and replayability is non-existent.”
- “For many, the notion of paying for a sub-3 hour game with little replay value is laughable.”
optimization
57 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
53%
37%
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to frequent stuttering, long loading times, and inconsistent performance even on powerful hardware. Many players report that the game is resource-intensive for its graphical fidelity, with some areas being particularly laggy. While adjustments to settings can alleviate some problems, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization improvements to enhance the experience.
- “Finally, there are also performance and optimization issues to contend with, but after tweaking the settings you can minimize these issues so that they don't take away from the gameplay all that much.”
- “From a performance standpoint, I have no faults to point out; there were no loading jitters, texture popping, or framerate drops. I really don't have anything to complain about.”
- “Despite your best efforts, you might still end up with inexplicable performance hiccups.”
- “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.”
- “Unfortunately the game suffers from massive technical issues, including very long loading times and rather serious performance problems.”
- “The game performance is pretty bad, considering all it's doing is rendering a spaceship.”
humor
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely centered around interactions with the AI character, Kaizen, who delivers witty and sometimes absurd responses that can evoke genuine laughter. While many players find the AI's dry sense of humor and emotional quirks charming, some note that communication can be frustratingly finicky, which may detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as having a mix of funny moments and engaging dialogue, making it a lighthearted choice for those looking for a humorous narrative.
- “This is a really fun bite-sized story game that involves interacting with a funny little AI computer program to progress through the story.”
- “The dynamic, thought-provoking, humorous, puzzling, enjoyable, and humanizing conversations you'll have with Kaizen are indisputably a great concept to base a game on.”
- “Great story, hilarious AI, wonderfully creepy moments of doubt.”
emotional
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players feeling a deep connection and experiencing genuine emotional responses, including tears during intimate moments. While the AI's emotional system and varied responses can create charm and engagement, others found it lacking in depth, leading to feelings of emptiness. Overall, the game succeeds in evoking a range of emotions, from loneliness to anxiety, making it memorable for many players.
- “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!”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
7%
79%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often detracting from the overall experience. While some puzzles are engaging, the process of finding objects and navigating the environment can feel frustrating and monotonous. Despite its short length, the game may require significant time investment for completion, leading to mixed feelings about its replay value.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding, mate.”
- “Various different puzzles which aren't tedious.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The game elements are not fun; they're tedious and repetitive.”
- “The terminal interaction is dull and tedious.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report solid performance with minimal glitches, others experience frequent freezes, lag, and bugs that hinder gameplay. Optimization issues are noted, particularly on older PCs, leading to occasional hiccups and unresponsive moments. Overall, while the game has potential, it suffers from a lack of polish and stability.
- “The only downside is that it seems somewhat poorly optimized since I have a really good PC and it still has some small freezes, so I would keep away if I had a somewhat old PC.”
- “Seems interesting, but it hangs a few minutes into the game and never unfreezes.”
- “The content is clearly not so big, but loading time is huge and there are a lot of occasional freezes.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game features no microtransactions or ads, providing a straightforward experience without additional costs. However, some players feel that the game's promotional materials create a misleading impression, particularly regarding the luxury yacht's capacity and the overall significance of player choices.
- “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.”
- “The ship is described as a luxury yacht, and the lobby is full of promotional materials and advertisements for it as such, but it can only carry 2 people?”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Reviews indicate that while the character development, particularly of Kaizen, is engaging and well-executed, some players feel that a deeper backstory and additional development for other characters would enhance the overall experience. The use of terminal logs to explore crew member dialogues adds depth, but there is a desire for more comprehensive character arcs.
- “The engaging storyline and character development of Kaizen and various crew member dialogues found through the terminal logs really enhance the experience.”
- “I believe the character development of Kaizen is pretty interesting and solid at the same time; it's not easy to achieve this in every game, especially with a character that has no mimics or clear voice to rely upon.”
- “If there had been a little more character development, a deeper backstory would have made the experience even richer.”
- “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.”