Full Void
- July 18, 2023
- OutOfTheBit Ltd
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Full Void" is a 2D cinematic puzzle platformer set in a dystopian future, where a young teenager must fight their way through puzzles and obstacles in a world controlled by a rogue AI. With hand-drawn pixel art and inspired by classic games like Prince of Persia, Another World, and Flashback, Full Void offers innovative visual and gameplay mechanics, including hacking skills to interact with the game world. The game features a thrilling atmosphere, suitable for all ages with no gore or violence.
Mac OS
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Xbox Series X|S
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Reviews
- Full Void is a beautiful homage to classic cinematic platformers like Another World and Flashback, featuring stunning pixel art and smooth animations.
- The game offers a captivating atmosphere with engaging puzzles and a compelling narrative that unfolds without dialogue, allowing players to immerse themselves in the experience.
- Frequent checkpoints and a forgiving death system make the gameplay enjoyable, allowing players to experiment without severe penalties.
- The game is relatively short, typically taking around 2-3 hours to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price.
- Controls can feel clunky and unresponsive at times, leading to frustrating moments, especially during precise platforming sections.
- Some players found the trial-and-error gameplay frustrating, with many deaths occurring due to unclear hazards or mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience.
- graphics55 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their stunning pixel art and nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic, effectively creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Many reviewers noted the beautiful artwork and smooth animations, which contribute to a haunting and engaging environment, although some expressed concerns about occasional visual clarity issues. Overall, the combination of retro-inspired visuals and modern design elements has resonated well with players, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The graphics and overall atmosphere are excellent, and the animation is smooth, just like 'Out of This World' was at the time.”
“The pixel art in this game is amazing, and there is some truly beautiful artwork throughout the game.”
“The graphics are a mix of organically created 2D pixel art and what appears to be 3D-rendered pixel art that merge together delightfully.”
“Unfortunately, sometimes you aren't really sure if you can stand on a graphic or if it is a part of the background, but this only costs you a few seconds, so no big deal.”
“The first box you find is on a rooftop and the graphic makes it look like a vent, so I thought it was just a part of the building and not something you could interact with. It took me a bit long to figure out it was a box and that you needed to press the interact button.”
“Game is mediocre, puzzles are quite easy, demo looked promising but final product is bland, too short, not worth the money. Even -50% would be too much for this. I had fun, but you always have that feeling like something is missing; visuals are the only bright side in this game.”
- story47 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is a blend of compelling themes, including a struggle against a despotic AI and a quest for a missing sibling, conveyed through rich environmental storytelling and beautiful pixel art. While some players appreciated the atmospheric and immersive narrative, others found it lacking in detail and depth, leaving them wanting more context and resolution. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its creativity and ability to evoke emotion without dialogue, though it may feel simplistic or politically charged to some.
“It tells the compelling story of humanity’s struggle against a despotic AI.”
“A creative and immersive cyberpunk/sci-fi dystopian future that tells a deep story with rich, well-thought imagery and scenes.”
“The world has a lot of implied depth, and even though it's a short game, you get a full understanding of how things are and how it came to be - the storytelling is quick, precise, and compelling.”
“I didn't really like the lack of story details; it left me wanting to know more about it.”
“While a pretty spectacle and a breeze to get through, the story is not novel, it's short, the puzzles are simplistic, and the ending is a very weird note to end on - not to mention that it re-contextualizes the game into feeling like political propaganda.”
“Except for visual pieces seen during your trip, there is absolutely no story here.”
- gameplay44 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a blend of trial-and-error mechanics reminiscent of classic platformers, with a mix of puzzles and platforming challenges that can be both engaging and tedious. While many players appreciate the responsive controls and beautiful visuals, some criticize the reliance on dying to learn and the overall simplicity of the gameplay, which can lead to a lack of excitement. The game offers a well-paced experience with varied mechanics, but its short length and occasional clunky controls may detract from the overall enjoyment.
“With challenging gameplay and a mysterious narrative, the game captivates from start to finish.”
“The gameplay strikes a fine balance between platforming and puzzles.”
“Full Void is an excellent take on the formula, with gorgeous pixel art, a compelling dark sci-fi setting, solid mechanics, and varied locales.”
“This game is over-reliant on gameplay where you learn by dying.”
“I just found the majority of the gameplay beyond the intro to be tedious, especially the robot programming.”
“I don't mind the type of gameplay where you die often as you figure things out, but the puzzles didn't make me think very hard so it wasn't exciting or fun.”
- atmosphere35 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and beautifully crafted elements, including stunning graphics, powerful sound design, and a unique blend of tension and introspection. Players frequently highlight the dark, macabre, and post-apocalyptic tones that enhance the overall experience, making it both memorable and engaging. The fluid character animations and minimalistic soundscapes contribute significantly to the game's ability to evoke strong emotions and maintain suspense throughout.
“The game has an amazing immersive atmosphere where at times you can feel the main character's fear or stress.”
“The animations are incredibly fluid and sell you on every character and object's movement; the backdrops are lovingly rendered in exquisite detail; and there's so much atmospheric polish that the whole world seems to pulse with life.”
“The sound design and music are powerful, supporting the game’s tense and alien atmosphere.”
“The bleak atmosphere is all encompassing from the tense sound design with numerous moments where all you can hear is a heart thumping while you run from a hostile machine.”
“The art style, music, and theme make for an unnerving post-apocalyptic atmosphere and work well.”
- music24 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as atmospheric and fitting, enhancing the overall mood and tension, though some players noted its minimal presence and lack of standout tracks. While the sound design effectively supports the game's environment, a few reviews expressed disappointment over the sparse use of music, suggesting it could have been more prominent to enrich the experience. Overall, the soundtrack is appreciated for its nostalgic qualities and ability to complement the visuals, but it may not leave a lasting impression for all players.
“The sound design and music are powerful, supporting the game’s tense and alien atmosphere.”
“Original music heightens the tension of the gameplay.”
“The atmosphere, amazing and classic (yet modern implementation) pixel art across the whole game and a soundtrack that suits it perfectly are the real highlights.”
“I have a few minor criticisms though: the pixel art is really low res and I wouldn't have complained if it was a tiny bit less pixelly, there's little to no music, and the controls are very inaccurate.”
“Perhaps the only disappointment is the music/sound design, which is too minimal and could have been amped up to contribute to the mood.”
“Music was sparse which didn't help my boredom.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is derived from its darkly comedic approach to failure, where dying is not only a learning experience but also rewarded with achievements, adding a layer of absurdity. Players find amusement in the reactions of others who misinterpret the game's messages, highlighting a contrast between the intended humor and some players' defensiveness. Overall, the humor is appreciated once players embrace the game's design philosophy.
“As others mentioned, you learn by doing. You're going to die trying to figure out what to do instead of dying doing what you know you have to do. There's also achievements for dying, which I understand from a funny/silly point of view, but I don't really appreciate it if you're trying to get all the achievements. Once you understand this is all part of the game design, you get to live with it.”
“It's also funny seeing people get defensive and offended about the ending message without understanding at all what it's meant to be about.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly criticizing the robot programming as a monotonous part of the gameplay experience.
“I found the majority of the gameplay beyond the intro to be tedious, especially the robot programming.”
“The grinding feels endless and takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
“I spent hours doing repetitive tasks that felt more like a chore than fun.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the game as an emotional journey that effectively engages them through its gameplay mechanics, maintaining a balance between variety and focus without overstaying its welcome.
“An emotional journey that draws you in, with gameplay that maintains different mechanics while staying true to its focus without overstaying its welcome.”
“The game takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions, making you feel deeply connected to the characters and their stories.”
“Every choice you make resonates emotionally, leaving a lasting impact that stays with you long after the game ends.”
