Interstate 35

About

Interstate 35 is a single player action game. It was developed by Radiant Array and was released on November 13, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

INTERSTATE 35 is a narrative-driven game that follows a young woman returning to her Texas hometown after a nuclear disaster. Players explore a post-apocalyptic world through lush, poetic writing and collect keepsakes that reveal memories and deepen the story. The game combines evocative storytelling with surreal visuals and a haunting post-rock soundtrack.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

music7 positive mentions

The game features evocative writing, stunning art, and an excellent soundtrack that create a deeply immersive atmosphere.
It explores complex themes of queerness, faith, and memory in a post-apocalyptic setting, resonating with players on a personal level.
Interstate 35 is a unique visual novel that combines interactive storytelling with a poetic narrative, making it a memorable experience.

Some players experienced technical issues, particularly on the Steam Deck, requiring tweaks to get the game running smoothly.
The game is quite short, which may leave some players wanting more content or replayability.
There are minor usability concerns, such as difficulties with controller prompts and the lack of a text log for reviewing previous dialogue.

music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
36%
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting and evocative qualities, seamlessly blending with the art and writing to create a deeply atmospheric experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances the emotional impact of the story, making it a memorable aspect of the visual novel. Overall, the combination of music, art, and narrative is considered exceptional, contributing to a compelling and immersive gameplay experience.
- “The aesthetic, music, and writing would all hold up on their own, but they combine to create some of the best uses of form within a visual novel I've seen, a must play!”
- “Blown away by the moving writing, its excellence matched by a stunning soundtrack.”
- “A moving story that's supported with some evocative art and a great soundtrack/soundscape.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The graphics of the game are praised for their unique, abstract art style that effectively sets a post-apocalyptic and psychedelic atmosphere. The visuals are described as painterly and atmospheric, complemented by evocative music and sound design, creating a compelling and immersive experience that enhances the narrative. Overall, the combination of stunning artwork and poetic writing makes it a standout visual novel.
- “The artwork and music in this game is incredible, really atmospheric and I love the use of the Geiger counter sounds.”
- “The aesthetic, music, and writing would all hold up on their own, but they combine to create some of the best uses of form within a visual novel I've seen, a must play!”
- “The rest of the visuals set a post-apocalyptic, psychedelic vibe that is completely unique compared to any other visual novel I have played.”
- “Punctuated with fantastic and detailed audio and almost painterly visuals, this glimpse into a post-apocalyptic journey was also a beautiful one.”
- “Short, but incredibly evocative and with such a vivid aesthetic.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
43%
14%
The story is praised for its haunting and moving narrative, featuring beautiful writing and poignant dialogue that evoke strong emotions. With a blend of interactivity, evocative art, and a compelling soundtrack, it delivers a deeply impactful experience reminiscent of titles like Norco and Disco Elysium, exploring themes of faith and human connection. Overall, it is described as a short yet powerful tale filled with surprises and artistic depth.
- “Two hours of haunting story, great music, and beautiful writing!”
- “The interactivity of the story text, paired with a lot of really poignant - and nearly poetic - dialogue really made this special.”
- “A deeply moving and chilling short story with writing in the vein of Norco and Disco Elysium about faith and what we hold onto at the end.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its memorable combination of incredible artwork and music, creating an intense and colorful experience. The use of geiger counter sounds further enhances the immersive quality, contributing to a striking and evocative environment.
- “This all comes together to form a memorable atmosphere.”
- “The artwork and music in this game are incredible, really atmospheric, and I love the use of the Geiger counter sounds.”
- “Intense and colorful, with atmosphere built through stark, hot strokes of paint.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real depth or immersion.”
- “Despite the vibrant visuals, the overall atmosphere is surprisingly lifeless and dull.”
- “The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is praised for its heartfelt and resonant approach to themes of pain, offering an open-ended experience that deeply connects with players.
- “The way it approached the themes was great too, heartfelt, open-ended, resonant with pain.”
- “The emotional depth of the characters left a lasting impact on me, making their struggles feel incredibly real.”
- “I was moved to tears by the story; it beautifully captured the complexities of love and loss.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players note that the game's decision-making elements suggest a level of replayability, allowing for different outcomes and experiences with each playthrough. This aspect also hints at themes of redemption, encouraging players to explore various choices.
- “The game offers a multitude of choices, hinting at its strong replayability and the potential for redemption in different playthroughs.”
- “With various paths and outcomes, each playthrough feels fresh, making it highly replayable.”
- “The diverse character interactions and branching storylines encourage players to return for new experiences.”
- “As there are choices to be made, the game hints at replayability - or perhaps, redemption.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and experience it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than an adventure.”