Follow the meaning
- November 22, 2024
- Second Maze
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Get on itch.io StoreFollow the meaning A desperate letter summons detective Paul Trilby to a peculiar island town, divided by a wall and ruled by a Hospital. Regular citizens get admitted and then return without their memories. A sinister conspiracy is afoot. Can you get to the bottom of this mystery? Follow the meaning is a surreal, hand-drawn, point-and-click adventure inspired by classic titles like Samor…
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming hand-drawn art style that enhances the whimsical and surreal atmosphere.
- Puzzles are engaging and creatively designed, providing a satisfying challenge without being overly difficult.
- The narrative is intriguing and offers a unique blend of humor and darker themes, making for an enjoyable short experience.
- The game is quite short, typically taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
- Some players found the puzzles to be too easy, lacking the depth and challenge expected from point-and-click adventures.
- The story and character development felt underwhelming to some, with a few expressing disappointment in the ending and overall plot execution.
- story74 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Follow the Meaning" is described as a quirky and engaging narrative that combines elements of mystery and dark humor, set against a charming art style. While many players appreciate its intriguing plot twists and character interactions, some feel the story is underdeveloped and could benefit from deeper exploration. Overall, it offers a unique experience that balances lightheartedness with thought-provoking themes, making it a memorable point-and-click adventure.
“The storytelling is succinct yet captivating, and the art style—reminiscent of children’s drawings—is in stark contrast to the events you’re witnessing, creating a uniquely unsettling vibe.”
“Follow the Meaning has everything I love to see in a point-and-click game—quirky yet logical puzzles, a compelling story, a surreal and unique art style…and a nice soundtrack, too.”
“I loved the story and mystery, and how it took a lot of unexpected turns.”
“The plot feels underdeveloped and it kind of just leaves you unfulfilled with how it ends.”
“The story is sort of nothing; the game would be better off without it, so the cutscenes are just annoying.”
“The game delves a little into meta story elements, which I'm an absolute sucker for, but unfortunately they didn't really do too much with it, which was a little disappointing for me personally.”
- graphics66 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their unique, hand-drawn art style that combines charm with a surreal atmosphere, effectively complementing the narrative and gameplay. Reviewers noted the visuals as stunning, colorful, and detailed, often likening them to vintage cartoons or the works of notable artists in the genre. Overall, the art style enhances the game's engaging story and puzzles, making it a visually appealing experience for players.
“A beautiful and cozy little adventure game with sinister undertones that took me in with its breathtaking hand-drawn visuals and didn't let me go 'til the very end!”
“The hand-drawn art style is stunning, and the soundtrack perfectly complements the game's surreal, eerie tone.”
“The graphics are adorable and the story is bizarre.”
“The storytelling is succinct yet captivating, and the art style—reminiscent of children’s drawings—is in stark contrast to the events you’re witnessing, creating a uniquely unsettling vibe.”
“Although the game is sure to captivate children with its graphics, adults may find a much deeper meaning in it.”
“If you are also a fan of Mateusz Skutnik's work, this will remind you of some of that too (but you may find yourself wishing he did the artwork).”
- music41 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the soothing and immersive soundtrack composed by Victor Butzelaar. While some noted a lack of music during gameplay, the main menu track and the fitting background scores for different areas were appreciated. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, complementing the game's unique art style and engaging narrative.
“The music fits perfectly with each new area, the puzzles range from simple to complex and the runtime is just enough not to overstay its welcome, nor is it too short to leave you dissatisfied.”
“Soundtrack by Victor Butzelaar (of Rusty Lake fame) is amazing, as always.”
“A calming and surreal point-and-click puzzle game, the art throughout is absolutely lovely and the music adds to the ambiance.”
“In regards to the music, there's just the one track that plays in the main menu.”
“Thus, in the game itself, there isn't really music (or very little of it).”
“The developers could teach a masterclass on crafting an immersive, deeply enjoyable game without relying on flashy gimmicks or not-so-cheap thrills, like hiring a full orchestra for the soundtrack or a Broadway troupe for voice acting.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily a point-and-click adventure that features engaging puzzles, a captivating narrative, and stylized artwork. While the puzzles vary in difficulty, they are generally enjoyable and well-integrated, providing a satisfying experience without unnecessary fillers. Overall, players find the gameplay to be absorbing and worth the time invested, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and unique mechanics.
“The game has a lot to offer including unique, stylized artwork, a well-implemented soundtrack, an engaging, intriguing, and somewhat surreal narrative, as well as great point-and-click gameplay with varied, satisfying puzzles.”
“At any rate, it was the gameplay that ended up absorbing my attention the most, and the sounds and such help to enhance it.”
“A perfectly acceptable point and click adventure with a very small and simple scope/gameplay.”
“Gameplay is casual with a few not too challenging riddles, but fun enough.”
“The gameplay basically consists of puzzles without any fillers, so despite short playtime, it is very much worth the price, as the player is engaged throughout the whole game.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized as funny, quirky, and surreal, with clever writing and engaging characters that evoke both laughter and nostalgia. Players appreciate the blend of artistic visuals and humorous moments, including clever plot twists and fourth-wall breaks, making it an enjoyable experience for those seeking lighthearted entertainment. Overall, the humor is described as charming and immersive, enhancing the game's appeal.
“This is such a nostalgic yet funny game, I loved it. The music is fantastic, and the characters' voices are mesmerizing. Love 4th wall breaking related games, lmao!”
“It felt like we were revisiting a children's can-you-spot-it book, but with an engaging story that has both funny and dark moments.”
“I love the art style and there are many funny little moments and twists. I was laughing, 'ooh'ing, and going 'woah!!' throughout the whole game.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its mysterious and surreal qualities, enhanced by beautiful artwork, engaging storytelling, and effective music. While some players noted similarities to other narratives, the unique ambiance and captivating experience stand out, making it a memorable short game. However, a few critiques mention that the puzzles and story could be more developed.
“Really fun short game with beautiful artwork and atmosphere.”
“A beautiful game with well-crafted storytelling and atmosphere, offering an impressive experience.”
“Wonderful game with some great ideas and a very pleasant, surreal atmosphere.”
“Its story is a bit too similar to 'Shutter Island' for my taste, but it still manages to deliver a different type of atmosphere and characters to the table.”
“Surprising mix of rusty lake weirdness with Milo & the Magpies' relaxed atmosphere (and cats).”
“I recently played this game, and I was completely captivated by its atmosphere and storytelling.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers limited replayability, primarily revolving around collecting all the cats and achieving 100% completion, which can be accomplished in about 1-1.5 hours. While some players find enjoyment in speedrunning or completing achievements, the lack of multiple endings or significant content variation may leave others wanting more. Overall, it provides a modest incentive for replaying, especially for achievement hunters.
“Has a little bit of replayability to collect all the cats and could be fun to speedrun.”
“A little gem💎 - now because the game is short, the 100% achievement goal is reachable and adds a fun replay value.”
“It takes 2 playthroughs if you want to get all the achievements, so there is replay value as well.”
“Despite being a short game, it unfortunately lacks replayability unless you find all the cats.”
“I would have liked if there were multiple endings or some kind of replay value; the achievements were a little too easy.”
“It takes two playthroughs if you want to get all the achievements, so there is some replay value.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its whimsical and absurd vibes, offering a wholesome adventure with a heartwarming message. While the puzzles may be easier compared to previous titles, the game still delivers a unique and touching experience that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Overall, it is recommended for its generous heart and quirky charm.
“A story standing on its own two feet having a bizarre, wholesome message to give to you, so I definitely suggest you don't miss out on it ;) A classic point and click with a twist, a generous amount of heart and a touch of crazy.”
“Wholesome little adventure, absolutely worth your time and the fair price.”
“Second, the puzzles are far too easy by Cube Escape standards, but it had the whimsical absurd vibes. It doesn't compare to the hours-long thought-provoking symbolism and the heart-wrenching endings (and some of them were absolutely free).”
