I don't think I've walked this stretch of road before
- January 11, 2022
- -hexcavator-
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Get on itch.io Store"I Don't Think I've Walked This Stretch of Road Before" is a short, narrative-driven adventure game where you explore a dreamy 3D landscape and piece together fragments from your past. With no combat or failure state, this low-stakes game offers a low-poly, lo-fi psychodrama accompanied by a melancholic soundtrack. Immerse yourself in this personal reckoning inspired by the works of Jeff Nichols, Kelly Reichardt, and David Lynch.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and transporting experience, blending visual poetry with interactive elements that evoke deep emotions.
- The retro aesthetic and sound design create a beautiful atmosphere, enhancing the meditative quality of the gameplay.
- It's a short yet impactful journey that encourages contemplation and reflection, making it a worthwhile experience for those open to its artistic approach.
- The game may feel too short and lacking in depth, leaving some players wanting more substance and replayability.
- The narrative can come off as vague and confusing, with a lack of clear context or character development.
- Some players found the gameplay mechanics simplistic, leading to a feeling that the experience does not justify its price.
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their retro PS1 style, contributing to a nostalgic and evocative atmosphere that complements the game's sparse gameplay. This aesthetic choice enhances the overall experience, allowing the writing to take center stage in a minimalist setting.
“I really enjoyed the retro aesthetic and the sound design.”
“I like the PS1 style graphics.”
“The gameplay and graphics are sparse, but that just leaves room for the evocative writing to guide you down an empty desert road.”
“This is a wonderful meditation, realized through an aesthetic that is both nostalgic and impossible.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beauty and atmospheric quality, blending low-fi sounds with retro-inspired visuals to create a unique experience reminiscent of intimate basement shows. This combination of audio and art evokes a nostalgic yet fresh feel, likening it to stepping into a 3D version of classic SNES games.
“The music and sound are all fantastic, just an absolute beauty of an experience.”
“A beautiful little game, full of atmosphere and great music.”
“Low-fi music and low-poly pixel art creates an alternate-retro vibe, as if old games had the music from an intimate basement show and you stepped into a 3D SNES game.”
“Low-fi music and low poly pixel art creates a sort of alternate retro experience, as if old games had the music from an intimate basement show and you stepped into a 3D SNES game.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a focus on mechanics and completion, with a sparse design that prioritizes evocative writing and atmospheric sound over traditional active gameplay. This creates a meditative experience as players navigate a linear path, emphasizing presence rather than action.
“Most of the time, when I play a game, my thoughts are entirely occupied by performing the mechanics well and finishing it.”
“The gameplay and graphics are sparse, but that just leaves room for the evocative writing to guide you down an empty desert road.”
“There's a lot of textured sound that bleeds in and out as you walk the linear path, placing emphasis on presence and meditation rather than active gameplay.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its unique and poetic delivery, offering a great overall experience. However, it is also noted for its vagueness, lacking depth and specific details about the characters and events.
“Great experience overall, and a lovely story with a weird and unique delivery!”
“The story is vague, never naming names, and never going in depth about the events of this person's life.”
“Somewhere between the video game version of a short story and a poem.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its enchanting atmosphere and captivating music, contributing to an overall immersive experience.
“A beautiful little game, full of atmosphere and great music.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game lacks significant replayability, as players seeking a relaxing experience find it falls short in this aspect.
“I was looking for something relaxing with some replayability, and this isn't it, chief.”
“Once you finish the game, there's really no incentive to play it again.”
“The lack of varied content makes replaying the game feel more like a chore than a fun experience.”
