Gamedec

About

Gamedec is a single player role playing game with mystery and science fiction themes. It was developed by Anshar Studios and was released on September 15, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Gamedec" is a single-player, non-combat cyberpunk RPG where you play as a game detective solving crimes that occur in virtual worlds. With a focus on player choice and consequences, you'll investigate, gather evidence, and make decisions that will affect the outcome of your cases. Explore various virtual worlds, interact with NPCs, and uncover the truth in a complex and dynamic narrative.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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75%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,270 reviews

story306 positive mentions

grinding50 negative mentions

Unique premise of being a detective in virtual worlds with engaging storylines.
Interesting deduction mechanics that allow for multiple outcomes based on player choices.
Visually stunning graphics and immersive environments that enhance the cyberpunk atmosphere.

The narrative becomes convoluted and less engaging in the second half, leading to a rushed and unsatisfying ending.
Dialogue choices often feel arbitrary and can lock players out of important information or paths.
Frequent bugs and translation issues detract from the overall experience, including inconsistent character pronouns.

story
1,052 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
66%
5%
The story in Gamedec is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its intriguing premise and cyberpunk setting, but criticizing its execution and pacing. While the narrative offers engaging themes and branching paths that enhance replayability, many found the plot convoluted, with a lack of meaningful consequences for player choices, leading to a sense of linearity despite the illusion of choice. Overall, the game presents a compelling detective story, but its delivery often falls short, leaving players wanting more depth and coherence.
- “The storytelling is compelling, exploring themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of technology in society.”
- “The branching storylines offer multiple outcomes based on player decisions, enhancing replayability.”
- “Gamedec is a fantastic game with a deep and immersive story.”
- “I did dislike quests being abandoned by surprise without warning when a choice was made that moved you past that 'chapter' without realizing it would.”
- “But the story is a huge let down, stale plot twists, amateur writing, which was disappointing for a detective game.”
- “Unfortunately the story of the game is very clearly demarcated into two halves - and the second half of the game where the 'real story' begins is far less of the above model and a far more linear affair rather than an investigative one.”
gameplay
386 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The gameplay of Gamedec is primarily focused on dialogue, investigation, and problem-solving, offering a unique narrative experience that diverges from traditional combat mechanics. While the game features interesting mechanics and a compelling setting, many players find the gameplay repetitive and occasionally tedious, with some mechanics feeling underdeveloped or convoluted. Overall, it appeals to fans of narrative-driven games but may not satisfy those seeking more action-oriented gameplay.
- “Gameplay focuses on dialogue, investigation, and problem-solving rather than traditional combat mechanics, allowing for a unique approach to challenges.”
- “The gameplay is also varied and enjoyable, with puzzle-solving, dialogue choices, and exploration all blending together seamlessly.”
- “It's a must-play for fans of detective games and cyberpunk settings, and a shining example of what can be achieved with thoughtful writing, engaging gameplay, and top-notch production values.”
- “The gameplay is too simple, which makes the second part of the game a slog to play.”
- “The gameplay is underwhelming and your choices do not matter in the slightest.”
- “But even without the pragmatic, semantical, and syntactical issues, the gameplay becomes boring and I found myself not caring about anything by the end, except finishing the game as fast as possible.”
graphics
250 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and immersive cyberpunk aesthetic, featuring colorful and detailed environments that enhance the overall atmosphere. Many players appreciate the distinctive art style and the way it brings various game worlds to life, although some note that the graphics alone cannot compensate for shortcomings in gameplay and narrative execution. Overall, while the visuals are a highlight, opinions vary on their ability to elevate the game's overall experience.
- “The visuals are spectacular and you get the experience of playing as a detective in several different worlds.”
- “Visually, Gamedec is a treat, with gorgeous graphics and stunning environmental design that really bring the game's world to life.”
- “Starting with the graphics and artwork, it just gives the game an immersive cyberpunk vibe, really full of great details, it gives you the feeling that you're living the Neuromancer book by William Gibson.”
- “There's not much to talk about the visuals.”
- “The graphics and music are average.”
- “After the definitive edition was launched I'm unable to change any graphics settings, resolution etc.”
replayability
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The game features high replayability due to its branching storylines and decision-making elements, allowing players to experience significantly different outcomes based on their choices. Many reviewers noted the potential for multiple playthroughs to uncover various paths, achievements, and character professions, although some expressed concerns about diminishing replay value after completing the game. Overall, while the game offers a rich tapestry of choices that encourage replay, opinions vary on its long-term replayability, with some players feeling it may not hold their interest for extended periods.
- “The branching storylines offer multiple outcomes based on player decisions, enhancing replayability.”
- “To sum up, Gamedec represents a unique world that offers enormous replayability potential.”
- “One of the few games I've played with noticeable differences in replayability, providing two very different experiences based on which side of the skill tree you choose (emotional vs logical).”
- “There is absolutely no replay value here.”
- “The game is very linear, not really an RPG, replayability is minimal.”
- “Probably it's my fault for missing some clues and gives a good excuse to replay it, but after the end of the game, it loses some of the replay value.”
music
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
43%
4%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to enhance immersion and fit the game's aesthetic, while others find it average or lacking in variety. Many players appreciate the ambient quality of the soundtrack, though some note that it can be sparse or not particularly memorable. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the experience, it falls short of being standout or exceptional for many players.
- “Music is absolutely killer.”
- “The music and sound design are also exceptional, adding another layer of immersion to the experience.”
- “The art is great, the music is enjoyable, and the concept really is novel.”
- “The graphics and music are average.”
- “While its aesthetics are great, a bit more attention was needed in the audio department, as music is generally only adequate and there are entire sections devoid of music altogether.”
- “The dialogue is not voiced, and there's almost no music (so far anyway), so it's a strangely quiet game; I'm hoping that changes when I get to one of the next in-game areas.”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
40%
6%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive cyberpunk setting, enhanced by high-quality graphics and sound design that create distinct and engaging locations. While many players appreciate the dense atmosphere and well-written characters, some critiques highlight inconsistencies, with certain areas failing to maintain the initial ambiance. Overall, the atmosphere is a strong point, contributing significantly to the game's narrative and investigative elements.
- “The atmosphere is generally top-notch, boosted also by the game's beautiful graphics.”
- “The game oozes that cyberpunk atmosphere and opens up a lot of questions about what is humanity, what is a person, and so on.”
- “This is a very cool, atmospheric game that is full of a story with plenty of twists and turns.”
- “The game tries to copy Disco Elysium, but fails to create a similar atmosphere due to lack of proper scripting, world building, and aesthetics.”
- “It really had me, and then the story and atmosphere evaporate, becoming a grind where the dialogue of many people littered on the street blurs together. Better level design or voice acting is needed to make interactions more distinct.”
- “The story is not engaging, and the cyberpunk atmosphere is mediocre at best.”
grinding
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and unengaging, with many players feeling that the required farming and fetch quests detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the narrative context of these tasks, they often feel like obligatory slogs that disrupt the flow of gameplay. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as poorly implemented, leading to frustration and a lack of enjoyment in progressing through the game.
- “The required farming grind in Harvestime is what finally made me decide to quit.”
- “The game starts great but gets very tedious halfway through.”
- “I believe the narrative conceit of being a 'game detective' is fine, however, Gamedec brings you into game worlds reminiscent of an exploitative Farmville-like game, or a grindy MMO... no matter what the meta reason for you being in those worlds is, it didn't make up for the tedium of these moments.”
stability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to be quite buggy, with numerous glitches affecting gameplay, dialogue, and overall stability, even six months post-release. Players have experienced issues such as freezing, incorrect choices being remembered, and translation problems, which detract from the experience despite the game's intriguing concepts and mechanics. While some glitches are minor and potentially fixable, they can lead to frustrating gameplay interruptions and a sense of a rushed final act.
- “It was buggy and translation lacked at some points.”
- “Pretty buggy even 6 months after release and the last third of the game feels very rushed.”
- “Multiple game freezes; the last one I decided it wasn't worth the time to go back. I was about 3/4 of the way through the game and it had really ground to a halt for me by then; I was just slogging my way to the finish.”
emotional
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
8%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of meaningful character connections and emotional depth, leaving players feeling detached from the narrative and their characters. While the setting and soundtrack are praised, the storytelling often undermines potential emotional moments, leading to a sense of derealization rather than engagement. Overall, the game fails to create lasting emotional ties, resulting in a disappointing experience for those seeking a rich, immersive RPG narrative.
- “It's quite a feat to create such an exceptional setting, elevated by an emotional, vibrant soundtrack and then just stop short of greatness.”
- “The story overall made me feel derealization but in a calm way, made me question what's real and what's another simulation over and over.”
- “Imho this was one of the best sci-fi stories I have ever seen, touching a very interesting topic in a future world full of virtual realities, artificial intelligence, and various ethical questions.”
character development
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking meaningful progression, with many players noting that it feels random and unimportant. While some aspects of character development are tied to decision-making and unlocking dialogue options, the overall experience is described as frustrating and insufficient, with no traditional role-playing elements or character leveling systems present.
- “Gamedec captures the essence of tabletop RPGs by emphasizing character development through decision-making.”
- “As for the game mechanics, it's more of an adventure game with character development.”
- “The character development is another problem; you can learn different traits that allow you to unlock new dialogue options.”
- “There is no meaningful character development, no real role-playing.”
- “Progress options in character development are minimal, feel random and do not even really matter.”
- “There is no inventory system, no character leveling up, barely any character development (if you can even call it that).”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as entertaining and occasionally confusing, with moments that cleverly reference gaming culture and conventions. While some players appreciate the funny twists and genre shifts, others feel that the humor can come off as juvenile and overshadowed by lazy level design. Overall, it offers a mix of amusing elements that may appeal to those who enjoy lighthearted, puzzle-oriented gameplay.
- “Entertaining, funny, and sometimes just confusing as heck!”
- “The plot is engaging and there is a lot of joking about game conventions (very funny and scary at once, for example, the harvest time as a free-to-play world).”
- “You can see that it was made by people that like gaming culture (references in the second mission made me laugh a few times).”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
Overall, the game's optimization received mixed reviews; while some players praised its performance and graphics, others criticized it as a poorly coded and badly optimized port. Many users reported minimal performance issues, indicating that optimization may vary depending on the platform or version.
- “This game has nice performance optimizations and controls.”
- “Lovely graphics, good performance.”
- “I didn't have many problems with the performance.”
- “Dull, badly coded, and poorly optimized port”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The monetization aspect of the game is integrated into its engaging digital world, where players can leverage various job types to influence gameplay and outcomes. Unlike many games where early roles become irrelevant, this game maintains the utility of all job types, encouraging strategic decision-making and interaction. Overall, the monetization model appears to enhance the experience rather than detract from it.
- “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
- “The in-game purchases are not balanced, and it feels like the game is designed to encourage constant spending rather than rewarding skill.”