Headliner: NoviNews

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 508 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • replayability
Headliner: NoviNews Game Cover
Headliner: NoviNews is an engaging, interesting game with a rich story, and what you publish as a national news editor truly impacts the world around you.
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In "Headliner: NoviNews," you play as a newspaper headliner, deciding which stories to approve or reject in a series of morally ambiguous scenarios. Your choices shape the world of Novistan and impact the lives of its citizens, while also affecting your personal relationships. The game explores themes of censorship, propaganda, and the consequences of media bias.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 508 reviews
story59 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with multiple endings that encourages replayability.
  • Thought-provoking gameplay that highlights the impact of media on society.
  • Well-designed characters and a vibrant atmosphere that enhance the overall experience.
  • Short playtime, which may feel insufficient for the price.
  • Some choices can feel overly simplistic or binary, lacking nuance.
  • Repetitive gameplay mechanics, particularly during the daily routine segments.
  • story172 mentions

    The story in "Headliner: Novinews" is engaging and rich, featuring a core narrative that explores the impact of media on society, complemented by various branching paths and side stories that enhance replayability. While many players appreciate the depth and moral complexity of the choices presented, some critique the linearity and lack of substantial payoff in the conclusion. Overall, the game is praised for its compelling storytelling and character development, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven gameplay.

    • “This game has a huge replayability value, a really well-written story and characters that you get attached to and care for.”
    • “The story is engaging enough until it comes to the end, which does not properly explain the fate of each character.”
    • “The core gameplay of selecting news stories and seeing how that affects the world/people around you is solid, the story is well-paced, and at ~2.5 hours it didn't feel too long or too short.”
    • “In the end, there will be no payoff, revelations, or a clear answer as to who's responsible for the outbreak that drives the story.”
    • “This is not a bad thing; however, you can choose different choices to change the story a bit on new playthroughs and unlock new paths.”
    • “It's scary how this game's story has been relevant for this year.”
  • gameplay64 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a simple yet engaging mechanic of approving or rejecting news articles, which influences the game's narrative and world. While the initial experience is intriguing, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in variety over time, leading to a desire for more nuanced choices and deeper mechanics. Overall, the game offers a solid foundation but may leave players wanting more in terms of complexity and replayability.

    • “The core gameplay of selecting news stories and seeing how that affects the world/people around you is solid, the story is well-paced, and at ~2.5 hours it didn't feel too long or too short.”
    • “The gameplay consists of three parts: selecting pieces of news at the office; talking with other characters on the way back home after finishing one day's work; relaxing at home.”
    • “Simple but fun mechanics that trigger different turns of events that can help but also destroy the characters' lives.”
    • “After all, the gameplay can be described as approving articles and then walking around town to see the outcome of your choices, and it gets quite repetitive after a while.”
    • “I find myself wishing for gameplay that is more varied and doesn’t lose steam after the initial days; choices that are more nuanced and don’t feel like constantly being in a 'damned if you do, damned if you don’t' kind of situation.”
    • “The actual gameplay of just approving/rejecting news articles is boring.”
  • replayability63 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits high replayability, with many players appreciating the short playtime of 90-120 minutes that encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different choices and outcomes. While many reviews highlight the engaging story and branching paths that enhance replay value, some players express a desire for more depth and variety in gameplay to sustain interest beyond initial runs. Despite some criticisms regarding linearity and character development, the consensus is that the game offers substantial replay value, making it worthwhile for those interested in exploring various narrative possibilities.

    • “The game has very high replay value because a ton of different things can happen depending on your choices.”
    • “Loved the story and replayability to see how other paths pan out.”
    • “This game has a huge replayability value, a really well written story and characters that you get attached to and care for.”
    • “I really wanted to like it and you get some fun playing it the first time, but the game lacks replayability.”
    • “It's a nice game; fairly linear and not as much replayability as you'd expect it to be, depending on how into the story you are.”
    • “For a game so heavily invested in replayability, it would be nice if there was more variety in the news stories.”
  • graphics37 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the vibrant art style and improvements over the previous installment, while others find the simplistic designs and blocky character models lacking. The visuals are often described as beautiful and fitting for the game's themes, complemented by an impressive soundtrack, though some players feel that the graphics are not the main focus of the experience. Overall, the aesthetic is appreciated, but there is room for enhancement in character detail and complexity.

    • “Excellent game, amazing music, spectacular graphics, very vibrant characters that you want to care for.”
    • “Beautiful graphics and amazing soundtrack (mix of futuristic lounge, electronica, jazz).”
    • “The visuals are stunning and the music really makes you feel like you have a lot of power in your hands.”
    • “The sidescrolling graphics are kinda... meh, but it's fine.”
    • “The graphics remind me of a retro 90's game.”
    • “The graphics are improved due to the use of the Unity engine, but the art could have been way better, I think.”
  • music35 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the overall atmosphere and complement the visuals, with many reviewers praising its beautiful and diverse soundtrack that includes elements of electronica, jazz, and lounge. While some players found certain in-game music annoying, the majority highlighted the soundtrack as a standout feature that effectively sets the mood and deepens the emotional impact of the story. Overall, the music is described as exquisite and integral to the game's immersive experience.

    • “The music is absolutely amazing and goes with the plot perfectly.”
    • “The soundtrack is genuinely exquisite, and there is nothing bad to say about it.”
    • “The setting is deeply atmospheric and melancholy, with a fitting soundtrack.”
    • “While there's nothing that stands out as fantastic about the game's sounds, the music that plays on the radio is annoying, and anyone who purchases a radio for their apartment for the sake of having their pad fully dressed up will be leaving the music off.”
    • “About the music, incomparable, but with some of them.”
    • “But the music!”
  • atmosphere11 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and melancholic qualities, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack and striking art direction that captures a techno-noir aesthetic. Players appreciate how the setting reflects real-world dilemmas and personal choices, creating a deep sense of intrigue and emotional engagement. However, some outdated dialogue elements can occasionally disrupt the overall immersion.

    • “Fantastic atmosphere; some of the choices you have to make are quite unnerving.”
    • “The setting is deeply atmospheric and melancholy, with a fitting soundtrack.”
    • “I really enjoy the atmosphere of the streets of Novistan as you trudge home each day and see your decisions reflected in the conversations and events around you.”
    • “Speaking of text, the dialogue has some outdated internet slang sprinkled throughout (zomg?) which can sometimes detract from the atmosphere and break immersion.”
    • “The overall art direction is pitch perfect, with its techno-noir color palette, stylized backgrounds, and moody atmosphere all mixing seamlessly to bring the two-dimensional city to life.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a blend of absurdity and sharp wit, effectively addressing serious themes while maintaining a lighthearted tone. Players appreciate the funny dialogue and alternate endings, which enhance the overall experience, though some express a desire for more comedic interactions, particularly from supporting characters. The game's ability to balance humor with the gravity of its narrative creates a uniquely engaging and entertaining journey.

    • “It strikes a nice balance between funny, absurd, and on-point.”
    • “It’s funny and serious, talking about the problems of the world in a joking manner but still getting to the point it’s trying to.”
    • “The game is divided into days, with a fixed number of chances to influence society and interact with the other characters before the story ends, usually in a way that's depressingly, yet hilariously, tragic.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Reviews highlight a mixed emotional impact, with some players finding social interactions lacking depth and humor undermining the intended dystopian atmosphere. However, others praise the game for its strong moral dilemmas and emotionally charged narrative, noting that it effectively evokes regret and investment in character relationships, leading to a profound emotional experience.

    • “It is a great exercise in morality; I haven't had such an emotional reaction to games in years.”
    • “This game wants to be a touching interactive story and nothing else, and it succeeds at it.”
    • “The game gets emotionally heavy, and you'll definitely end up regretting some of your choices.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and slow, particularly when aiming for 100% completion, as it often requires multiple playthroughs. Many express a desire for features like a "skip dialogue" button and faster movement to alleviate the monotony, while some still find enjoyment in certain gameplay elements despite the overall lack of meaningful content.

    • “For completionists, getting 100% achievements can get tedious since you need to complete the game several times.”
    • “Here the game instantly becomes tedious.”
    • “It's tedious, boring, and lacking meaningful content.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the game's charming character designs but express a desire for deeper character development and more complex interactions. They suggest that longer narratives and additional activities could enhance the overall experience, making the characters feel more fleshed out amidst the unfolding events.

    • “While I enjoyed its art style and music, I feel that the game can be improved if there are more to do as a headliner in the office, longer stories with more character development, and a more complex network of interaction.”
    • “While I enjoyed its art style and music, I feel that the game can be improved if there is more to do as a headliner in the office, longer stories with more character development, and a more complex network of interaction.”
    • “The character designs are cute and well drawn, which adds a disarmingly charming counterpoint to all the dire events unfolding around them.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is enjoyable, but players have noted that it suffers from poor optimization, affecting overall performance.

    • “It is a really good game, but I've found that it isn't optimized well.”
    • “The performance issues make it hard to enjoy the game fully.”
    • “I experience frequent frame drops, which disrupts the gameplay experience.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Players report a highly stable experience with no bugs, microstutters, freezes, or crashes, indicating a smooth gameplay experience.

    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced constant freezes and stutters that ruined the gameplay experience.”
    • “There are numerous bugs that disrupt the flow of the game, leading to frustrating moments.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Players express frustration with the monetization system, feeling that it is challenging to earn sufficient in-game currency to assist others, largely due to the reliance on misleading advertisements and the demands of a character named Wolff.

    • “It's really hard to make enough money to help everyone you meet because publishing fake ads and obeying everything the idiot wolf wants makes me feel bad.”
    • “The monetization system feels exploitative and makes the game less enjoyable.”
    • “I feel pressured to spend money just to keep up with other players, which ruins the experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

Buy Headliner: NoviNews

Play time

4hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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