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Fatum Betula

Even for those that hold next to no nostalgia for such old-school presentation, Fatum Betula’s problem-solving gameplay and borderline haunting mood make it a must-play.
Fatum Betula Game Cover
93%Game Brain Score
atmosphere, graphics
grinding, replayability
96% User Score Based on 775 reviews
Critic Score 83%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCXbox OneXboxWindows
Fatum Betula Game Cover

About

Fatum Betula is a single player casual puzzle game with a horror theme. It was developed by Bryce Bucher and was released on June 20, 2020. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Fatum Betula" is an exploration game with light puzzle elements, set in a world without a past and dominated by a magical birch tree. The game features 10 unique endings, a variety of curious characters, and evokes the style of early 3D gaming with its low-resolution graphics. You must search for offerings to feed the tree and uncover the world's secrets.

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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 775 reviews
atmosphere103 positive mentions
grinding6 negative mentions

  • The game features a captivating atmosphere with beautiful visuals and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the surreal experience.
  • Fatum Betula offers multiple endings and secrets, encouraging exploration and experimentation, making each playthrough unique and engaging.
  • The quirky characters and cryptic dialogue add depth to the narrative, providing thought-provoking themes that resonate with players.
  • The game can feel repetitive, as players may need to backtrack and repeat actions to achieve different endings, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • Some puzzles are cryptic and may require external guides to solve, which can disrupt the immersion and flow of the game.
  • The movement speed is slow, which can be frustrating during exploration and may lead to a tedious experience for some players.
  • atmosphere
    175 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of *Fatum Betula* is widely praised for its haunting, dream-like quality, enhanced by its PS1-style visuals and evocative music. Players describe it as both eerie and comforting, creating a captivating environment that encourages exploration and reflection, despite a somewhat underwhelming narrative. Overall, the game excels in immersing players in a unique, atmospheric experience that lingers long after gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere is so thick and lulling, completely serene yet uncanny.”
    • “The atmosphere, the storytelling, the world, the music, everything about it is exactly what I wanted to experience, despite not knowing beforehand.”
    • “Fatum Betula is a deeply atmospheric exploration puzzle game, with PS1 style low poly visuals.”
    • “The game creates this unsettling atmosphere that sticks with you long after you've closed it.”
    • “The atmosphere was truly haunting, imbuing a deep sense of dread in every environment I encountered.”
    • “The developer does admit that the game is primarily a game of atmosphere, which explains the plain mechanics and weak story.”
  • graphics
    165 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are heavily inspired by the nostalgic low-poly aesthetics of the PS1 era, creating a surreal and haunting atmosphere that resonates with players. Many reviewers appreciate the unique art style and how it complements the game's themes, while some note that the visuals can be overwhelming at times. Overall, the combination of retro graphics and an evocative soundtrack contributes to a deeply immersive experience that appeals to fans of experimental indie games.

    • “The graphics really look like they're from the PS1, and it's a pleasure to be in this world.”
    • “The visuals and soundtrack piece together perfectly to craft an unforgettable experience.”
    • “Dreamlike, surreal, with excellent visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and at times a rather devilish sense of humor, this game was an excellent adventure through and through.”
    • “The graphics are low-poly PS1 style and very surreal; nothing really matches both in terms of environment and NPC designs, but somehow it works, especially when accompanied by the beautifully ambient soundtrack.”
    • “The game asks you to solve puzzles while looking at seizure-inducing visuals.”
    • “I didn't enjoy the experience at first; I thought the locations and visuals were a bit uninspired, but as I progressed more through the narrative, I found it more compelling, even though I think it has consistency issues.”
  • music
    78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the dreamlike atmosphere, with a soundtrack that ranges from soothing to unsettling, perfectly complementing the visuals and narrative. Reviewers highlight its haunting quality and emotional depth, noting that it effectively builds tension and evokes a sense of isolation. While some mention a limited number of tracks, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's unique and immersive experience.

    • “The music serves an amazing role in bringing this dream-like atmosphere to life.”
    • “A fitting soundtrack for the game's world: even when it appears to be soothing, it remains suspenseful and at times it turns sinisterly disturbing, mirroring the ambiguity of a dream and the dissonance of the nightmare.”
    • “The visuals and soundtrack piece together perfectly to craft an unforgettable experience.”
    • “Music does a lot of heavy lifting with building the atmosphere; it always fits either an ethereal or distorted mood of an area that it plays in. However, there aren't a lot of tracks, and by the end, it can start feeling grating.”
    • “Sometimes you just straight up get blasted with music, which isn't nice for the ears at all.”
    • “The music almost seems to want to relax you, but it can never escape an overwhelming feeling of ominous ulterior motives - of unreality, [dis]reality.”
  • story
    71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of *Fatum Betula* is characterized as minimal and abstract, often relying on atmosphere and visual storytelling rather than a coherent narrative. Players encounter a series of brief, poetic endings that lack depth and clarity, leading to a mixed reception; while some appreciate the game's eerie aesthetic and immersive environments, others find the storytelling frustratingly vague and unsatisfying. Overall, the game is recommended for those who prioritize atmosphere over a complex plot, as it offers a unique experience through its surreal visuals and sound design.

    • “Fatum Betula gave me goosebumps from beginning to end with its incredible storytelling and eerie aesthetic.”
    • “The atmosphere, the storytelling, the world, the music, everything about it is exactly what I wanted to experience, despite not knowing beforehand.”
    • “The plot of this game targets philosophy with its multiple endings - each serving as its own self-contained aphorism, offering insight and a 'lesson learned' for those curious enough.”
    • “Don't expect any complex story though, there is no main story and the messages on the 'serious' endings are quite simple, blunt, and lack subtlety.”
    • “The actual story in this game is quite minimal and weak and often uses ambiguity to avoid much depth.”
    • “What I mean to say is that there is no overarching story present here.”
  • gameplay
    41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "fatum betula" is characterized by its minimalist mechanics and focus on atmosphere, offering a simple exploration and puzzle-solving experience centered around navigating a surreal world and interacting with a central birch tree. While some players appreciate the clever puzzle solutions and the immersive environment, many note that the gameplay lacks depth and can feel repetitive, serving primarily as a vehicle for the game's symbolic narrative rather than providing engaging mechanics. Overall, the game is more about mood and personal interpretation than traditional gameplay excitement, making it appealing for those who value atmosphere over action.

    • “Built on minimal mechanics and heavy atmosphere, it places the player inside a strange, decaying world governed by symbolism rather than logic.”
    • “The gameplay loop is short and really simple (trying to find all combinations of a liquid) but the fun comes from trying to get all of the endings in this surreal world.”
    • “I wasn't expecting such a strong feeling towards this game before playing it but every aspect of its gameplay felt bewitching, the graphics were unique and heavily stylized with matching background music and the interactions between the player and the world felt unique and interesting.”
    • “Doesn't give enough time for anything it's really saying to sink in, and the repetition, while wholly unnecessary to gain your own experience, to get all the endings doesn't amount to much beyond serving only as the gameplay loop.”
    • “Ultimately, fatum betula is a game that values mood, symbolism, and personal interpretation over clarity and mechanical depth.”
    • “The gameplay certainly does have a lot to be desired, you walk around at a slow pace, even when running and the game often tasks you to go back and forth everywhere to achieve certain endings.”
  • humor
    23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of surreal, absurdist, and fourth-wall-breaking elements, often providing unexpected laughs amidst unsettling themes. Players appreciate the well-written dialogue and quirky characters, which contribute to a dreamlike atmosphere filled with both lighthearted and thought-provoking moments. While some humor may feel familiar or lukewarm, it generally enhances the overall experience without detracting from the game's deeper messages.

    • “This tickles my funny liminal dream simulator bone to the moon and back.”
    • “Part nostalgic, part unsettling, part funny, part cozy, all vibes.”
    • “Dreamlike, surreal, with excellent visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and at times a rather devilish sense of humor, this game was an excellent adventure through and through.”
  • grinding
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some describe it as tedious and time-consuming, particularly when attempting to achieve all endings or solve certain puzzles, others appreciate the engaging environment and music that accompany the repetitive tasks. The necessity of using guides and the save system can add to the frustration, but the potential for discovering new elements during replays offers some redeeming value. Overall, the grinding can feel burdensome, yet it is somewhat mitigated by the game's charm.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Too tedious to do all the endings, too expensive to do just one or two.”
    • “To illustrate how tedious it was, I'll walk through the steps to get poison (which is needed for 3 endings):”
    • “The whole process felt tedious, partly because I had to hold down shift all the time, partly because I discovered the save menu too late into the game (make yourself a favor and use F5).”
  • replayability
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple endings and the impact of player decisions on outcomes, encouraging players to explore different paths and experiences. The combination of an eerie atmosphere and a small open world enhances the incentive to replay, as players can experiment to uncover all possible results. Overall, the design fosters a fun and engaging environment that invites repeated playthroughs.

    • “This encourages replayability, as understanding the game often comes from seeing how drastically outcomes can differ based on subtle decisions.”
    • “Replayability is crucial in this case, as it encourages us to go through the story several times in order to see all of the endings.”
    • “However, the playtime is lengthened by replayability; the game has multiple endings, and I definitely had fun trying and thinking my way through the game's world to get as many of them as I could.”
    • “The multiple ending factor, along with a rather small 'open world' scenario, grants a lot of room for replayability and many chances to experiment with it in order to get different results.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its charming and visually appealing character designs, which contribute to an engaging experience. Players appreciate the variety in character aesthetics and the fun of exploring different endings, indicating a well-crafted integration of design and gameplay. Overall, the strong visuals and sound design enhance the overall character experience.

    • “The style is charming, the character designs are just really cool, and figuring out how to get all the endings is just so much fun.”
    • “Apart from its variety between different locations throughout the game, which is pretty great, Fatum Betula also doesn't fall flat in the character design department.”
    • “The music and sound design are really solid, as is the character design.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report that the game's stability is commendable, with no bugs or glitches encountered during gameplay. It runs smoothly, achieving 100% performance in just two hours under Proton experimental settings.

    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced multiple bugs that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
    • “The stability issues are frustrating; I can't progress without constant interruptions.”
  • emotional
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the game emotionally impactful, with some expressing a sense of heartbreak over its brevity. The experience evokes deep, often inexplicable feelings, leading to a desire to cry, highlighting the game's ability to resonate on a profound emotional level.

    • “This game is so good that it's heartbreaking how short it is.”
    • “I want to cry passive tears for a reason I do not know.”
    • “Made me feel weird.”
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3h Median play time
3h Average play time
1h Main story
2h Completionist
2-3h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Fatum Betula is a casual puzzle game with horror theme.

Fatum Betula is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One and others.

The main story can be completed in around 1 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 2 hours to finish. On average players spend around 3 hours playing Fatum Betula.

Fatum Betula was released on June 20, 2020.

Fatum Betula was developed by Bryce Bucher.

Fatum Betula has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its atmosphere but disliked it for its grinding.

Fatum Betula is a single player game.

Similar games include Hypnagogia 催眠術, Broken Reality, Hypnagogia: Boundless Dreams, Dreaming Sarah, Yuppie Psycho and others.