HOPE LEFT ME
- March 10, 2023
- Astrophysics
Get on Steam"Hope Left Me" is a short, post-noir adventure game set in a cold, desolate reality. Players unravel the mystery of their existence while choosing between two ways to experience the game's soundtrack. With a VHS filter and around 15-20 minutes of gameplay, this title serves as a companion to Astrophysics' album of the same name, offering a haunting and immersive experience.
Reviews
- The game features an incredible soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and emotional impact.
- The visuals and art style are stunning, creating a unique and immersive experience.
- Despite its short length, the game delivers a thought-provoking and relatable story that resonates with players.
- The game is very short, leaving some players wanting more content and a deeper narrative.
- There are technical issues, such as a lack of fullscreen mode and limited navigation options, which can hinder the experience.
- The story can be vague and abstract, which may not appeal to everyone and can lead to confusion.
- music141 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. Fans of the artist, astrophysics, appreciate the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as a compelling reason to play the game despite its brevity. Overall, the music is seen as a beautiful complement to the visuals and story, making the experience memorable and emotionally resonant.
“The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal, and hearing it with the game was just so awesome.”
“The music is fantastic and matches the game's atmosphere perfectly; it's a very short game but has a great story!”
“The music alone is worth the price, and the storytelling is done beautifully.”
“I think the most helpful speaks right, if you consider it's a someone's music album, it would make sense why the music is too loud for a video game.”
“It's basically a music album manifested as a text novel game.”
“Though the songs are the main focus in my opinion, the visual novels are just some visuals.”
- story53 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story is generally described as short, impactful, and artistically vague, resonating deeply with players despite its brevity. Many reviewers appreciate the emotional depth and themes of hope and despair, often highlighting the strong connection between the narrative and the accompanying soundtrack. While some express a desire for a longer and more detailed story, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a satisfying and thought-provoking experience within its concise format.
“The most impactful story I've experienced in a long time.”
“I deeply resonated with this story; life at times can be scary, it can be dreadful, sometimes absurd, but that's the beauty of it all. There's a small shimmer of hope in all darkness; you just have to be strong and find meaning in meaninglessness.”
“The story, the art, and especially the music, it all really hits you hard; it's phenomenal.”
“The story is very short and vague, which left me wanting more depth and clarity.”
“The whole game is so vague that it doesn't leave me wanting more but honestly leaves me content with what I just saw, speculating on parts of the story in ways that will probably never be answered.”
“It's a short story, and while it was supposed to be that way, I feel it could have been better if it was longer.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its surreal and moody qualities, effectively enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack that complements the visual and narrative elements. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of loneliness, nostalgia, and existential reflection, creating a deeply immersive experience despite its short length. Overall, the combination of art, music, and writing results in a uniquely atmospheric journey that resonates with players.
“This game might very well just be one of the best games I've ever played; it is surreal and the atmosphere cannot be beaten.”
“The atmosphere of this short story visual novel perfectly captures everything I feel when I listen to him (because it's his soundtrack, of course, but everything else fits accordingly).”
“The atmosphere is incredibly moody from the get-go in the best possible way; the OST, art, and writing all mesh together in a way that makes it feel both surreal and desolate.”
“Darkness, VHS noises, thick enveloping music, concrete, silhouettes of abandoned 'panelki' buildings with empty windows create an atmosphere of loneliness, emptiness, and piercing cold, returning to the childhood of the 90s, which passed on the smoldering ruins of a great country.”
“A short but entertaining visual novel; I'd have to say that this game truly excels in its music and design, creating a fitting atmosphere for a game that involves so many existential analyses in a post-apocalyptic world.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and unique art style, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the aesthetic appeal, with comparisons to other visually striking titles, and appreciate the synergy between the visuals and the soundtrack. While some note minor imperfections, the overall consensus is that the graphics significantly contribute to the game's charm and artistic value.
“Great atmosphere/aesthetic.”
“Peak man, stunning visuals, love everything.”
“Very aesthetically pleasing.”
“Side note: the visuals remind me of milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk in a weird way, very monotone and distorted.”
“I'm a sucker for weird drug trips of games with art styles of black and white with single bursts of color which is this entire thing.”
“Similar to milk outside a bag of milk artstyle wise.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its profound impact on their feelings and thoughts. Many describe it as a deeply touching experience that evokes a range of emotions, from melancholy to hope, often leading to introspection and even tears. The writing and music are highlighted as particularly effective in creating a relatable and atmospheric journey, making it a recommended choice for those seeking an emotionally resonant experience.
“I haven't really gotten into a game yet that really got me to sit down and just think for a long time, pondering on things, on what each and every single little thing meant, if it mattered or not, but regardless, this opened up a lot of things to me while touching some incredibly relatable topics.”
“It really struck a chord with me emotionally and I love the writing so much, would 100% recommend if you are horrifically depressed like myself and want a nice ride.”
“It's a touching little story, melancholic in the best possible way, and yet still somewhat hopeful.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is primarily centered around promoting an album related to astrophysics, which some users appreciate as a creative approach, viewing it as a unique blend of advertisement and entertainment rather than a traditional monetization strategy.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability through the ability to choose alternative dialogue options, encouraging players to explore different narrative paths and outcomes.
“The game has great replay value due to the ability to choose alternative dialogue options.”
“Each playthrough offers a unique experience with different choices and outcomes.”
“The branching storylines encourage multiple runs to explore all the possibilities.”
“Has replay value in choosing alternative dialogue options.”
“The game feels repetitive after the first playthrough, lacking new content to explore.”
“Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character designs are noted for their cuteness, but there is no further elaboration on the depth or progression of character development in the game.
