Indie Game: The Movie

About

"Indie Game: The Movie" explores the lives of independent game developers as they create their games and navigate the emotional highs and lows of the creative process. Follow the stories of Edmund McMillen and Tommy Refenes , Phil Fish , and Jonathan Blow , as they push their games to completion. The film offers an intimate look into the indie game development scene and the challenges these creators face.

Genres & Tags

Indie

Play Modes

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

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,186 reviews

emotional86 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

Indie Game: The Movie provides an inspiring and emotional look into the lives of indie game developers, showcasing their struggles and triumphs.
The documentary is well-crafted, with great editing, visuals, and a compelling soundtrack that enhances the storytelling.
It offers valuable insights into the creative process and the personal sacrifices made by developers, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in gaming or game development.

Some viewers found the focus on the developers' personal struggles to overshadow the actual game development process, leading to a lack of technical insights.
The film has been criticized for being overly dramatic at times, which may detract from the overall experience for some viewers.
There are complaints about the achievement system and DLC being buggy or not functioning as intended, which can frustrate viewers looking for a complete experience.

emotional
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the documentary is highlighted by its inspiring and moving portrayal of indie game developers, showcasing their struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs. Viewers report experiencing a wide range of emotions, from heartwarming moments to heartbreaking challenges, often leading to tears and a deep respect for the developers' journeys. Overall, the film is described as a heartfelt and engaging exploration of the emotional rollercoaster inherent in the indie gaming industry.
- “This movie tells the story of a few independent developers and the emotional experience each went through trying to get their game published.”
- “A beautifully made and emotionally engaging film, more about hope and perseverance than computer games.”
- “It gave me an indescribable amount of respect for these people and what they do, and it really touched me emotionally on several occasions throughout the movie.”
story
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The story aspect of the game is highly praised for its engaging and heartfelt portrayal of the struggles and triumphs faced by indie game developers. Reviewers appreciate the documentary's ability to convey the emotional depth and artistic passion behind game creation, despite some criticism regarding its focus on a limited perspective. Overall, it is seen as a compelling narrative that highlights the human side of game development, making it a must-watch for gamers and those interested in the indie scene.
- “Excellent story about the fragility of the creative mind.”
- “Sad at times, fun at others, but throughout an immersive narrative well shot and pieced together with heart and truth, this film tells us the story of three teams when making three different indie games.”
- “An involving documentary telling an encouraging and yet passionate story.”
- “There's been some controversy about this film only telling Phil Fish's side of the story and making his former business partner out to be an antagonist... but if you watch this film and come off thinking 'yes, Phil Fish is totally a rational normal human,' I don't know what film you watched.”
- “While a tad dramatic at times, this movie is an interesting portrayal of what indie developers go through in their quest for gaming innovation.”
- “Even if you aren't interested in seeing behind-the-scenes, it's a very heartwarming and gut-wrenching story of four indie developers. A must-see in my opinion.”
music
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
38%
6%
The music in the documentary is widely praised for its sublime quality, with Jim Guthrie's soundtrack being highlighted as a standout element that enhances the film's emotional depth and storytelling. Reviewers appreciate the effective use of music to complement various scenes, although some noted that the repetition of tracks can become tiresome. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the film, contributing to its professional production and engaging viewing experience.
- “The soundtrack is sublime, too.”
- “The movie is also very well documented as it is all beautifully shot and topped off with an absolutely fantastic soundtrack by Jim Guthrie.”
- “The music is great and the commentary by Team Meat is one of the most humorous things I've heard.”
- “But try not to watch everything in a row, because they re-use the same music every time and it gets quickly annoying.”
- “Even the music was indie game related.”
- “It's quiet, somber, and exciting when the scenes that contain music need it to be.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the documentary is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting the hilarious commentary from Team Meat and memorable moments, such as Jonathan Blow's reaction to Soulja Boy. Viewers find the blend of humor and insight into the struggles of indie developers both entertaining and inspirational, making it a standout aspect of the film. Overall, the film is described as "fucking hilarious" and engaging, showcasing the quirky personalities that define the gaming industry.
- “Watch the commentary, it's freakin hilarious.”
- “For $10 you get a pretty good documentary that shows the struggles of being an indie developer and a pretty funny commentary from the people over at Team Meat.”
- “From a technical standpoint, the camerawork and audio is really great, the perspectives of the three different developers all synergize really well; and Team Meat's audio commentary track is just hilarious to listen to.”
gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its intuitive mechanics and engaging story, while others criticize it as unpolished and lacking depth. Despite the innovative design and homage to comic roots, many users express disappointment in the overall execution and the limited gameplay experience. The insights into the lives of independent developers add an interesting layer, but the gameplay itself seems to fall short for some players.
- “The story is engaging, gameplay is very intuitive (though there is no control-remapping) and the characters are so deep, you almost feel they are real.”
- “Each one of the games presented in the movie is highly original: all the video game references and the gameplay of Super Meat Boy, the crazy 2D/3D thing of Fez... etc. these guys didn't spend years of their life for nothing.”
- “Horrible gameplay”
- “Incredibly unpolished gameplay but somehow manages to create an amazing RTS platformer for the 21st century market which is also true to the comics.”
- “Very little gameplay, such a disappointment.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
71%
The graphics are highly praised for their excellent editing, appropriate visuals, and thoughtful animations that effectively convey the complexities of game development. Reviewers highlight the profound insight into the creative process and the emotional journey of game creators, making it particularly appealing to those interested in game design and graphic art. Overall, the graphics receive a strong rating of 9.5/10, reflecting their quality and impact.
- “Graphic: 9.5/10”
- “Anyone who's into games, game development, or graphic design: this is for you.”
- “It's an approach to their souls and opens the doors to a better comprehension of their artworks.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious, with a focus on the developers' negative experiences rather than engaging gameplay. This emphasis detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion in the game itself.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is subtly integrated into the level design, reflecting the creator's personality, but it becomes more pronounced through the narrative, particularly when the protagonist's backstory and his relationship with Bandage Girl are revealed. This deeper understanding enhances the emotional connection to the characters.
- “I could see where some ideas of Ed's personality came in through the level design, but I didn't see it in the character design until he fully explained who Super Meat Boy is and why Bandage Girl is so important to him.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Users express frustration with the monetization model, feeling that creators receive a disproportionately small share of revenue compared to those who profit from their work without contributing significantly. This sentiment highlights a perceived inequity in the distribution of earnings within the gaming industry.
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, where the developers do the heavy lifting but receive a fraction of the revenue, while others profit immensely from their efforts.”
- “The monetization strategy is frustrating, as it seems that those who contribute the most are compensated the least, while others reap the rewards without putting in the same level of work.”
- “It’s disheartening to see a system where the creators are undervalued, receiving minimal pay for their hard work, while others profit significantly from their contributions.”