I Did Not Buy This Ticket
- April 13, 2023
- Tiago Rech
Get on SteamIn "I Did Not Buy This Ticket," players join Candelaria on a thought-provoking journey, traveling to funerals and confronting past traumas. This atmospheric story game, by Tiago Rech, features unique art style and multiple endings. Interact with eccentric passengers, weep for the dead, and define a new path for Candelaria's life.
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Reviews
- The game features stunning and unique art that enhances the surreal atmosphere and storytelling.
- It offers a compelling narrative with multiple endings, allowing for replayability and exploration of different character choices.
- The psychological horror elements are effectively woven into the story, creating a tense and thought-provoking experience.
- Some players found the story to be underwhelming and lacking in depth, despite its interesting premise.
- The sound design and music were criticized for being inconsistent and sometimes distracting from the overall experience.
- Navigating the multiple endings can be tedious, with some choices leading to similar outcomes, which may frustrate players seeking variety.
- story80 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "I Did Not Buy This Ticket" is a surreal and engaging experience that unfolds through the protagonist's interactions with various characters, leading to multiple endings based on player choices. While many praise the beautiful art and the intriguing narrative, some find the story to be simple or underwhelming, lacking depth despite its potential for replayability. Overall, it offers a unique blend of psychological horror and heartfelt moments, appealing to fans of visual novels and surreal storytelling.
“I did not buy this ticket is a mesmerizing surreal experience/journey with a great visual style, well-written story, interesting character encounters, and decisions resulting in multiple endings.”
“The art direction is amazing and I loved getting to understand the full story across all my playthroughs.”
“A very unsettling ambience with a curious story and a surprisingly wholesome ending (or not!).”
“I really liked the aesthetic of this game and what it was trying to do, but it just fell a little flat for me. The story was a bit underwhelming.”
“The story is okay, but honestly didn't feel very interesting when it was all over.”
“Unfortunately, as the themes are very clear and the story is simple, the artwork doesn't really go places. It's too bad it all takes place in the same bus, same bus stop, same funeral home, and one hospital room.”
- graphics48 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and striking art style, which effectively complements the narrative and atmosphere, creating an emotional experience. While some visuals are considered exceptional, others are viewed as less appealing, and there are occasional technical issues like choppy scene transitions. Overall, the aesthetic successfully captures the game's themes, blending horror elements with evocative imagery that resonates with players.
“The art style is incredibly unique, perfectly capturing the bizarre landscapes that our minds create when we close our eyes, and when shadows, intrusive thoughts, and apparitions blend with our own fears and anxieties.”
“Thoughtful narrative, gripping mystery, evocative visuals and impeccable atmosphere!”
“The writing is great and the visuals fit perfectly with the unique concept.”
“Some of the visuals were great, some were more annoying/bad than anything.”
“Unfortunately, as the themes are very clear and the story is simple, the artwork doesn't really go places. It feels like endless empty, high contrast newspaper image cutouts are a solid foundation, but it's too bad it all takes place in the same bus, same bus stop, same funeral home, and one hospital room.”
“While the writing can stand on its own, it is also elevated by the visuals and the sound design.”
- atmosphere28 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a spooky, surreal quality that evokes discomfort and tension, effectively reflecting the protagonist's emotional struggles. Its combination of simple yet thought-provoking dialogue, fantastic art style, and unsettling sound design creates a thick, immersive experience that enhances the narrative's themes of trauma and mystery. While some players may find the slow pace and eerie ambiance boring, others appreciate the depth and symbolism woven throughout the game.
“The art style was fantastic and the sounds/music really did a lot for the atmosphere.”
“Thoughtful narrative, gripping mystery, evocative visuals, and impeccable atmosphere!”
“You might feel bored or weird due to the slow pace and eerie atmosphere throughout the whole game, but this also represents how much stress the protagonist is bearing (or hiding).”
“The atmosphere is pretty thick, enough to grip me and take me for a ride; however, the ride doesn't take me to all that interesting places.”
“It has a surreal atmosphere that makes you uncomfortable and at the same time fear for the protagonist's physical and emotional well-being, all while learning her journey through trauma and grief.”
- music22 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere and emotional depth, with some standout tracks that effectively complement key moments. However, there are criticisms regarding the ambient nature of much of the soundtrack, which can feel forgettable, and some abrupt transitions that may disrupt immersion. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the experience, its inconsistency leaves room for improvement.
“The art style was fantastic and the sounds/music really did a lot for the atmosphere.”
“The sounds are also handled very well, the music sets a great tone for a given conversation while also being used sparingly when something else needs to be highlighted.”
“The music on this alone is incredible but the story is just so wild.”
“The music was a letdown; most of it is quiet ambient that doesn't add much. Some scenes have an emotional track with actual composition and key instruments, but it only happens at the very end with no musical buildup. Even then, if you played this song to me a month from now, I would probably not remember where it's from.”
“There are some sounds that are purposefully grating and some abrupt changes in music to change the mood, and these worked wonderfully to keep my immersion.”
“The endings, music, sound effects, and art pieces really are unique.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of unsettling ambience and heartfelt storytelling, evoking feelings of unease while exploring themes of trauma and grief. While the visuals and writing create impactful emotional scenes, the music often falls flat, lacking memorable compositions despite some poignant moments. Overall, the experience is both disturbing and comforting, culminating in a surprisingly wholesome ending.
“Heartfelt story full of unease and lived experiences.”
“It has a surreal atmosphere that makes you uncomfortable and at the same time fear for the protagonist's physical and emotional well-being, all while learning her journey through trauma and grief.”
“The story allied to the art style is somewhat disturbing, but comforting and touching at the same time.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability, particularly for fans of surrealist storytelling and visual novels, as players can explore multiple endings. Its unique narrative and bizarre elements enhance the overall experience, encouraging repeated playthroughs.
“If you enjoy bizarre surrealist storytelling, visual novels, and replayability for the purpose of different endings, this is a great pick!”
“It's a surreal experience with a unique story and a lot of replay value.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, with some reporting that it constitutes over half of their total playtime, leading to frustration.
“Grinding for endings was an absolute pain and took up over half of my playtime.”
“Grinding for endings was an absolute pain and took up over half of my playtime.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game to be reminiscent of another title they enjoyed, creating a sense of familiarity that enhances their experience. The striking visuals contribute to this humorous atmosphere, making the gameplay feel engaging and entertaining.
