Indie Game: The Movie
- June 12, 2012
- BlinkWorks Media
- 31h median play time
Get on Steam"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.
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Reviews
- The documentary provides a profound insight into the lives and struggles of indie game developers, showcasing their passion and dedication.
- It features excellent editing, visuals, and a compelling narrative that makes it engaging for both gamers and non-gamers alike.
- The film is inspiring and emotional, making viewers appreciate the hard work and sacrifices that go into creating indie games.
- Some viewers found the focus on personal struggles and emotions to be overly dramatic and not representative of the broader indie game scene.
- There are complaints about the film not providing enough technical insight into the game development process.
- A few viewers expressed disappointment that the film primarily highlights successful developers, lacking representation of those who face failure in the industry.
- emotional43 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 hope, perseverance, and the emotional rollercoaster of creating video games.
“The focus is on small-time developers who undergo an emotional struggle to create, develop, and polish their games.”
“A beautifully made and emotionally engaging film, more about hope and perseverance than computer games.”
“This movie tells the story of a few independent developers and the emotional experience each went through trying to get their game published.”
- story31 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the reviews highlights a compelling and emotional narrative centered around the lives and struggles of indie game developers, showcasing their passion and dedication to their craft. While the focus is primarily on a few notable developers and their games, the documentary effectively captures the broader challenges faced by the indie gaming community, making it an engaging and insightful watch for both gamers and those interested in the creative process. Overall, it is praised for its heartfelt storytelling, excellent production quality, and the ability to convey the artistic significance of video games.
“Excellent story about the fragility of the creative mind.”
“Wonderfully produced tale of the make-or-break struggles and quest for personal artistry and storytelling that embodies the modern indie-game developer.”
“Sad at times, fun at others, but throughout an immersive narrative well shot and pieced together with heart and truth, indie game tells us the story of three teams when making three different indie games.”
“While a tad dramatic at times, this movie is an interesting portrayal of what indie developers go through in their quest for gaming innovation.”
“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 asshole... 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 the story is focused largely on the development of three specific games, most of the content is about the struggles and triumphs of any similar developers.”
- music25 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the documentary is widely praised for its sublime quality, with Jim Guthrie's soundtrack being highlighted as both beautiful and effective in enhancing the film's emotional depth. Reviewers appreciate the professional sound composition and the way the music complements the storytelling, although some note that the reuse of tracks can become repetitive. Overall, the soundtrack significantly contributes to the film's acclaim, making it a memorable experience for viewers.
“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.”
“But try not to watch everything in a row, because they reuse 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.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the reviews is highlighted by the comedic commentary from the developers, particularly Team Meat, which is described as "fucking hilarious" and insightful. Viewers appreciate the blend of funny moments with more serious themes, showcasing the struggles of indie developers while delivering laugh-out-loud commentary that resonates with the gaming community. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, making the documentary both entertaining and relatable.
“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.”
“Insightful, funny and interesting movie!”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay aspect received mixed reviews, with some praising its intuitive mechanics and engaging story, while others criticized it for being unpolished and lacking control remapping options. Despite these flaws, the game is noted for its originality and connection to its comic roots, showcasing the dedication of independent developers. Overall, the gameplay experience is seen as a blend of potential and disappointment.
“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 are 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.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the project are highly praised for their excellent editing and appropriate visuals, which effectively convey the creative process behind game development. Reviewers highlight the profound insights gained from the animation and interview quotes, making it a valuable experience for anyone interested in game design and artistry. Overall, the graphics receive a strong rating of 9.5/10, contributing significantly to the film's uplifting and informative nature.
“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.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious, with a focus on the developers' negative emotions rather than engaging gameplay, leading to a lack of enjoyment for players.
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
“I spent hours doing the same tasks over and over, and it just became a chore rather than fun.”
“The grind is so excessive that it overshadows the actual gameplay, turning what could be an enjoyable experience into a tedious slog.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is subtly integrated into the level design, reflecting Ed's personality, but it becomes more pronounced when the narrative reveals the significance of Super Meat Boy and Bandage Girl, enhancing the emotional depth of the characters.
“I could see where some ideas of Ed's personality came 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.”
“The character development in this game is incredibly deep; each character has a unique backstory that unfolds as you progress, making you truly care about their journeys.”
“I love how the game allows characters to evolve based on player choices, creating a personalized experience that makes each playthrough feel unique.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight frustration with monetization practices, particularly the disparity between creators who do the majority of the work and those who profit significantly without contributing meaningfully. Users express dissatisfaction with the system that allows a few individuals to earn large sums while the majority receive minimal compensation for their efforts.
“The monetization model feels exploitative, as it seems like the developers are prioritizing profit over player experience.”
“It’s frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
“The constant push for in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment, turning what could be a fun experience into a money-grab.”
