Hans

About

Hans is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Clei Barnhart and was released on December 5, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

Hans is a visual novel baking simulator in which you play as an alien dropped off on Earth during World War 1, who bakes magical pastries to help the people in your small town. You can also choose not to make what they ask for, because sometimes their requests are not as thought out as they may think. Just be prepared, because your actions have eight endings worth of consequences! Bake magic…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

story4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a charming art style and a cute storyline that blends baking with a unique narrative set in a WWI-inspired world.
Players can enjoy multiple endings based on their choices, making the gameplay engaging despite its simplicity.
The game is clearly made with love, showcasing the developers' effort and creativity, and it has a cozy atmosphere complemented by a nice soundtrack.

The game suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of clarity in how to unlock all the different endings, which can lead to frustration.
Some players found the abruptness of the endings unsatisfying, as they often lack depth and connection to the choices made throughout the game.
The game's setting and narrative choices have been criticized for being confusing, particularly the decision to create a fictional country during a real historical conflict.

story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The game's story is praised for its engaging narrative and emotional depth, featuring multiple endings influenced by player choices. Reviewers appreciate the strong character interactions, particularly with the titular character, Hans, and note the sentimentality and warmth of the storytelling. While some feel the story only scratches the surface, there is a desire for further development and expansion of the plot.
- “The story is good and there are multiple endings depending on which decisions you make.”
- “I loved the game concept, the story, and the narrative design.”
- “This game is clearly made with a lot of love. I've just played through my first ending, and the sentimentality of this game and the connections you follow in its short gameplay are palpable and emotionally moving, with deft storytelling. It felt like a great warm hug from my favorite person to bake with.”
- “The story feels like it's only the tip of an iceberg, but I found the titular character, Hans, to be interesting, especially his interactions with the human characters.”
- “Honestly, the name of the game and the entire plot are really well done, and I hope the developers expand upon it.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics of the game are praised for their charming and unique art style, combining pencil art with watercolor effects that enhance the overall aesthetic. The visuals, including realistic food images and thoughtfully designed text elements, contribute to a delightful experience that reflects the developers' care and creativity. Overall, the graphics are considered a standout feature, adding depth and appeal to the game.
- “Really cute game with nice artwork.”
- “The visuals are also an excellent mix between pencil art on watercolor paper; the images of the completed foods are surprisingly realistic. I love the font and the text boxes too.”
- “The art style is so charming, and you can tell this game is very clearly made with lots of love.”
- “The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
- “The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making them feel lifeless.”
- “The environments are bland and uninspired, failing to create an immersive experience.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
The gameplay is straightforward, focusing on exploring the outcomes of choices and "ending farming," which some players may find unappealing, though its brevity makes it manageable. Players engage in simple mechanics, such as clicking on flying creatures to collect magic, but some have noted that responsiveness could be improved. Overall, while the gameplay is simple, it effectively draws players in.
- “The game is based on 'ending farming,' which I usually don't like, but I don't mind it here since the game is so short and it's very easy to achieve each ending mechanically.”
- “The other mechanic of the game is simple too; you just click on the flying creatures to collect the magic from the shrine. It feels fine enough, though the responsiveness could be a bit better.”
- “As for the gameplay itself, the problem is that much of the game revolves around seeing all the results of Hans's choices and how they play out.”
- “The gameplay is simple, but the game still manages to pull you in.”
- “The other mechanic of the game is simple too; you just click on the flying creatures to collect the magic from the shrine. It feels fine enough, but the responsiveness could be a bit better.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game has received positive feedback for its effective soundtrack, which, despite having only a few songs, beautifully complements the game's mood. Reviewers appreciate the cozy yet dystopian atmosphere created by the music.
- “I love the soundtrack; there are only a few songs, but they complement the mood very well.”
- “Really nice music, and I like the cozy yet dystopian atmosphere!”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game emotionally impactful, often feeling a deep connection to the characters and their stories, which can lead to difficult choices that evoke strong feelings of guilt and empathy. The heartfelt storytelling and sentimentality create a warm, comforting experience, likened to a cherished moment with a loved one.
- “Once I started, I couldn't stop, and even getting some of the endings was difficult for me mentally because I knew the effect I would be having on these people, and it made me feel horrible.”
- “This game is clearly made with a lot of love. I've just played through my first ending, and the sentimentality of this game and the connections you follow in its short gameplay are palpable and emotionally moving, with deft storytelling. It felt like a great warm hug from my favorite person to bake with.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players note that while the game involves "ending farming," a mechanic they typically dislike, the short length and ease of achieving each ending make the grinding feel more acceptable. However, it still reflects a game design philosophy that some may not favor.
- “The game is based on 'ending farming,' which I usually don't like, but I don't mind it here since the game is so short and it's very easy to achieve each ending mechanically. Still, it's not my favorite game design philosophy.”
- “Grinding feels tedious and repetitive, making the gameplay drag on longer than it should.”
- “The amount of grinding required to progress is overwhelming and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The atmosphere is characterized by a blend of cozy and dystopian elements, enhanced by appealing music that contributes to the overall immersive experience.
- “The music is really nice, and I love the cozy yet dystopian atmosphere!”
- “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, making you feel like you're part of a living, breathing world.”
- “Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you engaged.”