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HeatStroke

94%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
gameplay, graphics
94% User Score Based on 152 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindows
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About

HeatStroke is a single-player Simulation game with an intriguing story that challenges players to transcribe an original short story in its entirety while driving through an endless desert road. The game offers a dynamic radio and a progressively stranger landscape, but with no save function and an excess of typing, it is not for the faint of heart. Recommended for masochists or those seeking a unique and grueling experience.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
HeatStroke screenshot
HeatStroke screenshot
HeatStroke screenshot
HeatStroke screenshot

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 152 reviews
story31 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • The story is engaging and thought-provoking, drawing parallels between the player's experience and the narrative's themes of control and suffering.
  • The game features unique visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
  • Completing the game provides a sense of accomplishment, as it challenges players' endurance and typing skills in a way that few other games do.
  • The gameplay is tedious and physically demanding, requiring long hours of typing without the ability to save progress or take meaningful breaks.
  • Many players found the experience to be frustrating and painful, leading to feelings of exhaustion and dissatisfaction with the lack of rewards or meaningful gameplay.
  • The game is not accessible to everyone, as it heavily relies on typing speed and endurance, making it a poor fit for those who struggle with typing or need frequent breaks.
  • story
    105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in the game is described as engaging, thought-provoking, and often haunting, with many players appreciating its depth and originality despite the frustrating gameplay mechanics that accompany it. While some found the narrative compelling enough to endure the lengthy typing required, others felt that the experience was marred by the tediousness of the gameplay, leading to a mixed reception overall. Ultimately, the story's themes of control and existential dread resonate strongly, making it a memorable, if challenging, experience for those willing to invest the time.

    • “The story grips you like a vice.”
    • “The story is extremely engaging and very good, and it pairs well with the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The story of this game is immaculate, thought-provoking, and haunting, with most all of it owing to its frequent callbacks to the organic.”
    • “I drifted in and out of focus during this several hour homework assignment to read a story.”
    • “After an hour of typing, I found that I just didn't care enough about the story being told anymore.”
    • “The story started devolving.”
  • gameplay
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay has been described as tedious and monotonous, primarily involving slow-paced typing and minimal interaction, which some players found frustrating and unengaging. While the story received praise for its depth and engagement, the gameplay itself was often criticized as a slog, making it difficult for players to enjoy the overall experience.

    • “Not just through the gameplay, which I finished in one shot with no preparation (do not do this), but in the story it tells, and our implied participation in it.”
    • “I found the story quite great; it really hooked me, and with the (barely) gameplay, it was quite both a unique and insufferable experience.”
    • “The gameplay consists of typing what's on screen and turning a car at a slower rate than anyone has ever made possible in a game, slowly leading you off the road, forcing you to sit there turning the wheel to rearrange yourself so you can keep typing.”
    • “Gameplay is desert bus + a 3 hour long typing test, so if that sounds like something you might enjoy then you probably will.”
    • “The gameplay consists of typing what's on screen, and turning a car at a slower rate than anyone has ever made possible in a game, slowly leading you off the road, forcing you to sit there turning the wheel to rearrange yourself so you can keep typing.”
    • “The gameplay loop of 'heatstroke' is presently monotonous.”
  • graphics
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique art style and vibrant visuals, which effectively complement the game's narrative and themes. Players appreciate the striking contrast between the visuals and the storytelling, noting the immersive and alive quality of the game's aesthetics. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's atmosphere, enhancing the player's experience.

    • “Heatstroke has awesome visuals and music, plus an amazing story that reminded me of 'Flowers for Algernon' in the beginning and 'I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream' towards the end.”
    • “What I did not expect was a fully well-written novel with extreme contrast in visuals.”
    • “Her games are very much alive in practically as many elements as they can be, from the pulsating, fleshy tones of her games' aesthetics to the writhing and cacophonous masses of game design that demand your constant attention, or at least your critical thinking.”
    • “I've never encountered another artwork that does this, and I'm not sure I ever will.”
  • music
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the experience, with some users finding it relaxing and engaging. However, there are complaints about the music overpowering important sound cues, which can hinder gameplay, particularly during driving segments. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the atmosphere, it can also detract from critical gameplay elements.

    • “Heatstroke has awesome visuals and music, plus an amazing story that reminded me of 'Flowers for Algernon' in the beginning and 'I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream' towards the end.”
    • “The driving I saw as a way to destress from too much typing while keeping you engaged; when the story felt like too much, I would put on a song on my computer and just drive to clear my mind and process the story.”
    • “Relaxing game with dope music.”
    • “For the last few chapters, the sound of your wheels crossing the middle of the road mostly gets drowned out by the music, which really sucks when you rely on that for steering.”
    • “At two hours, I was actually feeling okay and had turned on some of my own favorite music, not the horrifying stuff the game offers.”
    • “Five straight hours typing (didn't pause at all, mind you) and this song was not only taunting me, but absolutely ruining the soundscape.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its engaging storytelling and deeply unnerving qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience. Players appreciate the dynamic tonal shifts and atmospheric sounds that contribute to a sense of dread, while the well-executed pixel art adds to the overall aesthetic appeal.

    • “The short story you're typing is enthralling; the night-time showcase is unhinged and taps into the game's deeply unnerving atmosphere and the dread it conjures, and it's honestly gorgeous.”
    • “The change in tone through atmospheric sounds was fantastic and truly made the experience super horrifying.”
    • “The horror is established through the writing and through the atmosphere.”
    • “The short story you're typing is enthralling, the night-time eyeshow is unhinged and taps into the game's deeply unnerving atmosphere and dread it conjures, and it's honestly gorgeous.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players report that the emotional aspect of the game is deeply impactful, as it evokes vulnerability and heartbreak through physical challenges rather than mere literary despair. This emotional journey, while painful, ultimately enriches the overall experience, making the story resonate more profoundly.

    • “The whole ordeal broke down my defenses to make me emotionally vulnerable, making the story much more impactful.”
    • “It's a heart-breaking loss, but it was worth it, anyways.”
    • “The emotional experience.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the character Dude [spoiler]william[/spoiler], who delivers comedic moments that elicit strong reactions from players. However, some find the humor repetitive and reliant on overused similes and unsolicited descriptions, while the radio adds an additional layer of amusement. Overall, the comedic elements are a mixed bag, providing both laughs and moments of fatigue.

    • “Dude [spoiler]William[/spoiler] is so funny it makes me want to merge without looking!”
    • “The radio was also funny :)”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect to be tedious and mind-numbing, requiring discipline and attention to detail to avoid failure. However, many also express that overcoming this grind can be a satisfying experience.

    • “But it is tedious; you will have to pay attention and do the basics, and have the discipline to avoid failure.”
    • “A truly tedious and mind-numbing experience, but very satisfying to get through.”
  • optimization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is polarizing, as it is perceived more as an interactive performance art piece rather than a traditional game, which may not appeal to all players.

    • “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
    • “There are frequent frame drops and stuttering, which ruin the overall experience.”
    • “The optimization is so bad that it feels like the developers didn't even test it on various hardware.”
  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers good replayability through the inclusion of four different colors of air fresheners, allowing players to experience varied gameplay each time.

    • “The game offers excellent replayability with its diverse mechanics and multiple endings.”
    • “Each playthrough feels fresh thanks to the variety of choices and paths available.”
    • “The inclusion of different character builds keeps the gameplay engaging and encourages multiple runs.”

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