I Did Not Buy This Ticket

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In "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.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

story18 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

The game features stunning and unique art that enhances the surreal atmosphere and storytelling.
It offers a thought-provoking narrative with multiple endings, allowing for replayability and exploration of different choices.
The psychological horror elements create a tense and immersive experience, effectively conveying themes of grief and trauma.

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 feel tedious, with some choices leading to similar outcomes, which may frustrate players seeking variety.

story
40 mentions
45 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's story 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 players appreciate the beautiful art and the intriguing narrative, opinions are mixed regarding its depth, with some finding it underwhelming or simplistic despite its compelling atmosphere. Overall, it offers a unique blend of psychological horror and heartfelt storytelling, making it appealing for fans of visual novels and replayability.
- “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.”
- “As the story progresses, the player learns more about the backstory of the protagonist and has the option to take their life down various paths based on exchanges had with characters on the bus.”
- “The art direction is amazing and I loved getting to understand the full story across all my playthroughs.”
- “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 all takes place in the same bus, same bus stop, same funeral home, and one hospital room.”
graphics
24 mentions
50 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their unique and striking art style, which effectively enhances the atmosphere and emotional depth of the narrative. While some players found certain visuals to be inconsistent or lacking in variety, the overall aesthetic is described as compelling and fitting for the game's themes, contributing significantly to the immersive experience. The combination of visuals, sound design, and writing creates a memorable and evocative environment that resonates with players.
- “The art style was fantastic and the sounds/music really did a lot for the atmosphere.”
- “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!”
- “Some of the visuals were great, some were more annoying or bad than anything.”
- “Unfortunately, as the themes are very clear and the story is simple, the artwork doesn't really go places. 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.”
atmosphere
14 mentions
43 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a spooky and surreal quality that effectively conveys the protagonist's emotional turmoil and stress. With a blend of unsettling visuals, simple yet profound dialogue, and immersive sound design, it creates a thick, eerie ambiance that enhances the narrative's psychological depth. While some players may find the slow pace and lack of traditional horror elements less engaging, the overall atmosphere is praised for its ability to evoke discomfort and intrigue.
- “It has a spooky atmosphere, dialogue that seems to be deliberately simple but opens the player to deep thoughts, and creative symbolism throughout.”
- “The art style was fantastic and the sounds/music really did a lot for the 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 by the balls 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.”
music
11 mentions
45 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
27 % 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 inconsistency of the soundtrack, with some ambient pieces feeling forgettable and abrupt transitions that can disrupt immersion. Overall, while the music contributes significantly to the experience, its execution varies throughout the game.
- “The art style was fantastic and the sounds/music really did a lot for the atmosphere.”
- “All emotions implemented into this game are visible through dialogue, sensible through the noises and music soundtrack; presentable through the graphics' abstractness and colors.”
- “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 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.”
emotional
6 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 some scenes are impactful with strong emotional tracks, the overall musical experience is inconsistent, often lacking memorable compositions. The art style complements the narrative, creating a surreal atmosphere that is both disturbing and comforting, ultimately leading to a surprisingly wholesome conclusion.
- “All taken together, the sounds, visuals, and writing create some very emotional scenes while also making others that give me a sinking feeling throughout.”
- “A 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.”
replayability
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability, particularly for fans of surrealist storytelling and visual novels, as players can explore multiple endings and enjoy a unique narrative experience.
- “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.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find grinding to be a significant and frustrating aspect of the game, with some reporting that it consumes over half of their total playtime, particularly when trying to achieve certain endings.
- “Grinding for endings was an absolute pain and took up over half of my playtime.”
- “The grinding mechanics are tedious and feel like a chore rather than enjoyable gameplay.”
- “I spent countless hours grinding, and it felt more like a job than a game.”
humor
1 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.
- “The visuals are very striking; I had a funny, familiar feeling when I played it because it has a lot of similarities with another game that I ended up liking a lot - Endless Empty.”