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.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features an incredible soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and emotional impact.
- It offers a unique and surreal visual novel experience with stunning art and a thought-provoking story.
- Despite its short length, the game leaves a lasting impression and resonates deeply with players, often helping them through difficult times.
- The game is very short, leaving some players wanting more content and a more developed story.
- There are technical issues, such as a lack of fullscreen mode and limited navigation options, which can hinder the experience.
- The storytelling is vague and abstract, which may not appeal to everyone and can lead to confusion.
- music282 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 1 % 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 blend of genres that complements the game's themes and visuals. Despite the game's brevity, the music is considered a significant reason to experience it, with many recommending purchasing both the game and its soundtrack.
“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, very short game but 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 while the visual novels are just some visuals.”
- story106 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 3 % 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 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.”
“It's a touching little story, melancholic in the best possible way, and yet still somewhat hopeful.”
“The whole game is so vague that it doesn't leave me wanting more but honestly leaves me content with what I just saw, and speculating on parts of what is going on in the story in ways that will probably never be answered and I'm happy about it.”
“This is quite the abstract game, I won't say anything about the story because you can literally complete it in 20 minutes, you can literally buy it, 100% it and refund it, it's fine for 2 USD.”
“Very short and the art style is cute, wish the story was a little longer and not as vague; the music was really good though.”
- atmosphere46 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 7 % 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 unique and impactful atmosphere that resonates with players.
“Darkness, VHS noises, thick enveloping music, concrete, silhouettes of abandoned buildings with empty windows create an atmosphere of loneliness, emptiness, and piercing cold, reminiscent of the childhood of the 90s.”
“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.”
- graphics44 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning visuals and unique art style, which combines a cute aesthetic with a surreal atmosphere reminiscent of post-Soviet themes. Many reviewers highlight the effective use of color and filters, creating an aesthetically pleasing experience that complements the game's music. Overall, the visuals are considered a significant strength, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Peak man, stunning visuals, love everything.”
“Very aesthetically pleasing.”
“Love the graphics and sprites.”
“Though the songs are the main focus in my opinion, the visual novels are just some visuals.”
“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.”
“Similar to milk outside a bag of milk art style-wise.”
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game evokes a profound emotional response, prompting players to reflect deeply on relatable themes and personal experiences. Many users report feeling a range of emotions, including sadness and hope, often leading to tears and introspection. The writing and atmospheric music enhance the experience, making it a touching and meaningful journey for those seeking emotional depth in gaming.
“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.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is primarily centered around promoting an album, with the visual novel serving as a creative vehicle for this advertisement. While it is essentially a marketing tool, many users appreciate the unique approach and find value in the experience.
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant 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.”
“There are multiple paths to explore, making the replayability factor really high.”
“Each playthrough offers new experiences and outcomes, enhancing the overall replay value.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight that the character designs are perceived as cute, suggesting a positive reception to the visual representation of the characters, though there is no specific mention of depth or growth in character development.
