Far from Noise
- November 23, 2017
- George Batchelor
- 2h median play time
Far From Noise is not a game for everyone. If you go in expecting traditional gameplay, you will be highly disappointed, but if you approach it with the understanding of it being almost like a picture book, then you will be in for a magnificently written reflection of yourself as well as musings on some of the heaviest topics about life. We went into this expecting a short title with a bizarre premise, and walked away having consumed a beautiful, occasionally melancholic story that helped us understand ourselves a little better along the way.
"Far from Noise" is a narrative-driven game that takes place in a precarious setting: your character is perched on the edge of a cliff in a stranger's car. Throughout the game, you'll engage in conversations with various characters, exploring themes of life, existence, and the passage of time. The game's unique selling point is its focus on storytelling and character development, rather than traditional gameplay mechanics.
Reviews
- The writing is excellent, featuring humorous and thought-provoking dialogue that resonates with players.
- The game offers a unique and calming experience, encouraging introspection and reflection on life and death.
- Visually stunning with a beautiful art style and soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
- The gameplay is mostly static and lacks significant interactivity, leading to a feeling of boredom for some players.
- The pacing is slow, with long pauses between dialogue that can disrupt immersion and engagement.
- The ending and overall narrative may feel vague or unsatisfying to those seeking a more traditional gaming experience.
- story32 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as well-written, emotional, and thought-provoking, offering a mix of humor and wisdom, though some players found it slow-paced and occasionally boring. While it is heavily narrative-driven with multiple dialogue choices, many felt that these choices lacked significant impact on the story's progression. Overall, it provides a peaceful and introspective experience, appealing to those who enjoy story-rich games despite its limited interactivity.
“A very well-written story that is interesting, emotional, and funny.”
“It has a nice story full of wisdom, meaning, and fun too.”
“The game provides the player with thought-provoking dialogue and conversation in which you are provided options to progress the story.”
“Those parts made me feel bored during some sections of the story.”
“The story was too poetic to create a narrative that I could get into and ride until the end.”
“A very passive experience which tells a somewhat ambiguous story.”
- music22 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its soothing and peaceful qualities, effectively enhancing the storytelling and emotional depth of the experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as beautiful and fitting, complementing the stunning visuals and creating a calming atmosphere that resonates with players. Overall, while not groundbreaking, the music is appreciated for its ability to enrich the game's narrative and ambiance.
“The soft musical score complements the deep conversations, and the overall experience is understated yet impactful.”
“A beautiful game with an amazing soundtrack, nature sounds, and animation.”
“The music somewhat helps enhance the story, but it's not outstanding either.”
“The music and sounds provide a very calming and peaceful atmosphere in which to focus on the big questions presented in the game.”
“Still, the soundtrack and the atmosphere sticks with me.”
- graphics19 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a playful and vibrant art style, featuring bold cyan and magenta hues that create a dreamlike atmosphere. While some players appreciate the simplicity and unique charm of the visuals, others feel they may not be enough to fully engage those seeking more complex graphics. Overall, the combination of visuals, sound design, and music effectively enhances the emotional experience of the game.
“The artwork is playful, with vibrant cyan and magenta hues creating a dreamlike atmosphere.”
“The colorful environment fits into my aesthetic of indie games I choose to play, and it put me through a roller coaster of emotions.”
“The visuals are gorgeous and the music hits just right where it needs to.”
“Even if you do find the writing to be interesting (I find it to be a bit above average personally), the visuals certainly aren't for the most part.”
“It's purely a graphical text adventure game where all you do is choose dialogue options as they pop up.”
“The graphics appear simple, but manage to evoke emotions from peacefulness to drama during the story.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Far from Noise" is minimal, primarily revolving around dialogue choices in a visual novel format, which may disappoint those seeking traditional mechanics or fast-paced action. However, the engaging narrative and beautiful art can captivate players willing to embrace its slow, emotional journey. Overall, it is more focused on storytelling than gameplay complexity.
“The art alone was enough to get me drawn into the gameplay.”
“Despite its simplicity (the entirety of the gameplay consists of choosing your character's dialogue), this is one of the most well-written games I've played in quite a while.”
“The story is pretty and despite there not being a lot of gameplay, I found myself becoming engrossed.”
“Far from noise is a text story and has little in the way of gameplay; you mostly participate in a dialogue and choose between the lines.”
“If you're in it for gameplay, you're not going to be very satisfied with the game itself as it's mostly just a visual novel.”
“There is not much gameplay to it, besides choosing between different options in a branch of small texts.”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised for its cleverness and emotional depth, blending dark humor with poignant writing. Players appreciate the well-crafted dialogues that evoke laughter while also provoking thought, creating a unique balance between comedy and serious themes. Overall, the game's humor is described as delightful, engaging, and integral to the storytelling experience.
“The writing is excellent; funny and poignant in pretty equal measure.”
“The dialogues, their different options and outcomes are clever, humorous and never trying to be overly didactic.”
“The dialogue is incredibly well-written, and during the entire experience I had this enormous smile plastered across my face, laughing often and out loud.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it deeply engaging and touching, others feel it can be slow and boring, lacking the excitement typically associated with gaming. Many appreciate the well-written narratives and philosophical themes, but the pacing may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action. Overall, it is seen as more of an emotional experience than a traditional game.
“A very well-written story that is interesting, emotional, and funny.”
“This was an emotional visual novel that kept captivating me through each scene.”
“This is not a game for someone looking for fast-paced action, complex gameplay, or an array of mechanics; this is a slow, emotional ride.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its vibrant artwork and calming soundtrack, creating a dreamlike and contemplative environment that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the seamless integration of sound effects, visuals, and dialogue, which together evoke a sense of presence and depth, making moments of tension feel more impactful. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its thoughtfulness and ability to resonate with the game's themes.
“The artwork is playful, with vibrant cyan and magenta hues creating a dreamlike atmosphere.”
“And that was beautifully done, the creation of an atmosphere that resonates with the message and vibe of the game: stay here, be present, look around you.”
“The atmosphere is quite contemplative due to the sound effects in perfect combination with the drawing style.”
“The music and sounds provide a very calming and peaceful atmosphere in which to focus on the big questions presented in the game.”
“Still, the soundtrack and the atmosphere stick with me.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the presence of different dialogue choices that enhance replayability, but some feel that the overall lack of significant variance limits the incentive to replay the game.
“What I do like is that there are different dialogue choices, which adds to the replayability.”
“Enjoyable on my first playthrough, but there's just not enough variance for replayability.”
“Enjoyable my first playthrough, but there's just not enough variance for replayability.”
“What I do like is that there are different dialogue choices, and it gives this some replayability.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players noted that while grinding in the game had its effective moments, it often led to a loss of immersion and became tedious at times.
“There were moments where it worked well, but also points where immersion was broken and I found myself finding the game tedious.”
“The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“I spent hours doing repetitive tasks that felt more like a chore than fun gameplay.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is metaphorically described as precarious, likening it to a conversation occurring in a punch buggy teetering on the edge of a cliff, suggesting a sense of tension and uncertainty in gameplay.
Critic Reviews
Far From Noise Review
Far From Noise is not a game for everyone. If you go in expecting traditional gameplay, you will be highly disappointed, but if you approach it with the understanding of it being almost like a picture book, then you will be in for a magnificently written reflection of yourself as well as musings on some of the heaviest topics about life. We went into this expecting a short title with a bizarre premise, and walked away having consumed a beautiful, occasionally melancholic story that helped us understand ourselves a little better along the way.
80%Far From Noise Review – Beauty in Silence (PS4)
90%