Joana's Life
- August 31, 2016
- Old Shack Studio
Get on Steam"Joana's Life" is a suspenseful game set in a suburban town where a series of mysterious and gruesome deaths have occurred. Players are drawn into the mystery after finding an old, stained mirror in their home, which serves as a key mechanic in uncovering the truth. The game features a detailed game world, AI-populated environments, and a haunting atmosphere with an eerie soundtrack. As players progress, they must piece together clues and different perspectives to understand the horrors hidden behind the mirror.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a unique mechanic involving a mirror that adds an interesting twist to gameplay.
- The atmosphere is eerie and unsettling, effectively building tension and providing some good jump scares.
- Some players found joy and hope through the game, indicating it has a positive emotional impact for certain individuals.
- The game is plagued with bugs, glitches, and poor level design, making it frustrating to play.
- There is a lack of guidance and clarity in objectives, leading to aimless wandering and confusion.
- Many players feel the game is unfinished and uninspired, with a narrative that fails to engage.
- story16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its moral themes and engaging narrative, while others criticize it for lacking coherence and direction. Many feel that the story is overshadowed by gameplay issues, with some describing it as nonsensical and poorly integrated into the overall experience. Overall, while there are elements of a compelling story, significant improvements are needed for clarity and guidance.
“5 of 5: Great story, great gameplay.”
“4 of 5: Great story, average gameplay.”
“Moral of the story: You never know what life has in store for you, and if I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“None of it makes any sense, and all semblance of story gets thrown out the window in favor of cheap jumpscares and nonsensical game design.”
“There's no real story here, not even a narrative, and it doesn't work as a haunted house type experience either, because there's little to no guidance.”
“As for the story and the world the game is in, I feel it needs more work.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a unique mechanic involving a mirror that reveals hidden elements behind the player, adding an intriguing layer to exploration. Players have noted challenges, particularly when navigating the environment, which can lead to moments of frustration. Overall, the gameplay combines innovative mechanics with exploration, enhancing the overall experience.
“If you have time, I did a little gameplay without commentary.”
“I had this problem called 'exploring the house' during my gameplay.”
“The game has a fairly unique mechanic: you can use a mirror to see what's behind you, and it won't always be what you can see directly with your eyes.”
“I have attached some gameplay footage that contains spoilers, so watch at your own risk.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky NPCs and the absurdities of the expansive world, often leading to unintentionally funny moments that can disrupt gameplay. Players appreciate these comedic elements, although the humor is best suited for those who enjoy the charm of poorly executed horror games.
“A few times I had to restart the game because it would do funny things.”
“The NPCs and huge outer world are pretty hilarious, and I wish I could have gotten farther in the game.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often unrelated to the core gameplay, leading to a mixed overall experience. While some parts are enjoyable, the repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“Unfortunately, the game is rather tedious.”
“My wife and I played through the game, and while we had a decent time in parts, other parts were tedious and unrelated to the gameplay.”
- music2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is noted for its calming and soothing qualities, providing a relaxing experience that allows players to feel at ease.
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Joana's life is consistently described as pleasant and immersive, contributing to an overall positive and engaging experience.
“Joana's life looks quite nice and is very atmospheric.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, including performance problems and numerous bugged scripts and triggers, which detract from the overall experience.
“On top of that, there are performance issues and bugged scripts and triggers.”
