Just Act Natural
- March 25, 2022
- Liam Kerrigan
- 7h median play time
An asymmetric online multiplayer party game where one group of players hide among a crowd of NPCs doing various tasks while other players seek them out from above. The game features a hand-sculpted clay art style using hundreds of clay models that are scanned and imported virtually.
Reviews
- Unique and charming claymation art style that adds to the game's fun atmosphere.
- Great party game that is especially enjoyable when played with friends, offering a lot of laughs.
- The game is free to play, with only one person needing to purchase the premium version for everyone to access additional content.
- Many game modes and features are locked behind a paywall, limiting the free version's replayability.
- Public lobbies are often empty, making it difficult to find matches without friends.
- The game can be buggy, with issues like players getting stuck or unable to move during matches.
- humor138 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Just Act Natural" is widely praised, with players highlighting its quirky and absurd scenarios that lead to hilarious moments, especially when played with friends. The game encourages creativity and improvisation, making it a standout choice for social gatherings and party settings. Overall, it delivers a fun and entertaining experience filled with laughter and memorable interactions.
“Just Act Natural is a quirky and entertaining game that perfectly blends humor and deception, making for a fun multiplayer experience.”
“At its heart, Just Act Natural revolves around players using their wits and creativity to perform a series of quirky and often hilarious challenges.”
“The game encourages players to think on their feet and come up with hilarious responses and performances in the heat of the moment.”
- graphics134 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Just Act Natural" are widely praised for their vibrant and unique claymation art style, which adds a playful and charming aesthetic to the game. While many players appreciate the handmade visuals and overall presentation, some have noted issues with optimization and texture quality on lower settings. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its fun and engaging atmosphere, making it a standout choice for casual multiplayer gaming.
“One of the standout features of Just Act Natural is its vibrant art style and playful graphics.”
“The graphics are definitely one of the best aspects of Just Act Natural because all of the models are made out of clay, and I mean literally they were made in real life out of clay and then 3D scanned into the game.”
“The game's hand-drawn visuals immediately draw players into a world that's as enchanting as it is familiar.”
“It isn't that well optimized and the graphics look a little scuffed on the low settings.”
“Trash graphics, garbage textures, and an insanely cheap feel to the gameplay; it almost gave me the sense this game was made in Unity.”
“No game, no matter how unoptimized, should ever use 99% of your GPU with graphics and map sizes of this level.”
- gameplay88 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its fast-paced, creative mechanics that encourage social interaction and improvisation, making it particularly enjoyable in multiplayer settings. While the artistic style and humor are praised, some players note issues with repetitive gameplay and limited modes, as well as technical bugs that can disrupt the experience. Overall, the game is seen as a fun party option, especially when played with friends, despite some criticisms regarding its mechanics and matchmaking challenges.
“The gameplay is fast-paced and encourages creativity.”
“Its unique premise, vibrant visuals, and fun gameplay make it a perfect choice for game nights or casual play with friends.”
“The game's intuitive controls and straightforward gameplay mechanics ensure that anyone can jump right in and start having fun.”
“Just act natural is a really uniquely designed game with a decent, albeit repetitive gameplay loop.”
“Numerous bugs can interfere with gameplay and even crash the game at times.”
“Bad game mechanics where some players can't interact with important objects (most notably the sheriff's hat).”
- story35 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The reviews present a mixed perspective on the story aspect of various games. While some players appreciate the absence of a traditional narrative, favoring gameplay over story, others highlight the emotional depth and engaging writing of specific titles, emphasizing the impact of choice-based storytelling. Overall, the reception of story elements varies significantly, with some games celebrated for their narrative richness and others criticized for lacking substantial lore.
“The story is beautifully written, offering moments of humor, introspection, and emotional depth.”
“It's a testament to the power of storytelling in video games, as it compels players to contemplate their own lives and the magic hidden within the mundane.”
“Honestly the most beautiful gaming experience anyone could ask for, graphics out of this world, the plot had me crying and laughing with the characters throughout the whole ride.”
“Just straight to the point, no need for story or lore.”
“Honestly the most beautiful gaming experience anyone could ask for, graphics out of this world, the plot had me crying and laughing with the characters throughout the whole ride, this game is 0/10 because we don't deserve this.”
“Only game-play, doesn't include a story.”
- stability28 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with many users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some players enjoy the fun and chaotic nature of the game, they acknowledge that the frequent technical issues, such as freezing and disappearing items, can be frustrating. Overall, the game is seen as entertaining, especially in multiplayer settings, but it requires significant improvements in stability to reach its full potential.
“Loved the game, great with friends, but very buggy.”
“Game freezes and crashes a lot for some reason.”
“Very misleading to make your buggy incomplete game 'free to play', then lock all of the game modes behind a paywall.”
- music21 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its exceptional quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional depth. Reviewers highlight the catchy and upbeat soundtrack, which complements the whimsical visuals and adds to the game's energetic and comedic tone. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, making the experience memorable and enjoyable, especially when played with friends.
“The soundtrack is a standout feature, enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional impact.”
“Composed by a talented musician, it complements the visuals and narrative perfectly, creating a cohesive experience that's both moving and memorable.”
“From the zany sound effects accompanying your ridiculous actions to the upbeat and catchy soundtrack, every audio element contributes to the game's energetic and comedic atmosphere.”
“The music will eat your brain.”
“This music makes me want to do terrible things to my friends.”
“I relaxed for 5 ♥♥♥♥ing minutes to this music long enough to realize that I was going to be okay.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it enjoyable and endless due to its unpredictability and customization options, others feel it lacks depth and could benefit from more varied prompts and challenges. Many users appreciate the fun minigames and quirky aesthetics, which contribute to a positive multiplayer experience, but some express a desire for additional content to enhance replay value.
“The game's unpredictability and the joy of watching your friends' comedic prowess unfold create endless replayability.”
“Additionally, the inclusion of customization options, such as character outfits and accessories, allows you to personalize your experience and further extend the game's replay value.”
“Very fun with friends, great replayability, would recommend.”
“While 'Just Act Natural' offers multiple branching paths and endings, its replay value may be limited for some players.”
“Additionally, while the game’s content is varied, expanding the range of prompts and challenges could further enhance replayability.”
“- Wish there were some more options to encourage replayability.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by vibrant visuals, whimsical character designs, and a standout soundtrack that collectively create a captivating and dreamlike experience. Players appreciate the charming and relaxing ambiance, enhanced by dynamic sound effects and a focus on community well-being, which fosters a lively and engaging environment. Overall, the combination of graphics, sound design, and emotional depth contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.
“The sound design complements the visuals, adding to the overall atmosphere.”
“The use of vibrant colors and whimsical character design sets a captivating, dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the emotions and adventures of the protagonist.”
“The soundtrack is a standout feature, enhancing the game's atmosphere and emotional impact.”
“The charming characters, colorful maps, and soothing soundtrack create an atmosphere that's both whimsical and relaxing.”
“From the zany sound effects accompanying your ridiculous actions to the upbeat and catchy soundtrack, every audio element contributes to the game's energetic and comedic atmosphere.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Players consistently express that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic commitment akin to having a "second life." Additionally, the lack of available players makes the grinding experience even more tedious and frustrating.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Trying to get hooked up with players is tedious as there are not many at the moment.”
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, with a beautifully written story that evokes laughter and tears. The standout soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere, creating a unique and reflective experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to blend humor with poignant moments, making it a memorable and heartfelt journey.
“Amazing game, honestly made me cry.”
“The story is beautifully written, offering moments of humor, introspection, and emotional depth.”
“If you're looking for a unique, emotionally resonant experience that encourages reflection, this game is well worth a playthrough.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received criticism, with players noting that it struggles with performance issues, including a low frame cap of 55 fps and high GPU usage despite relatively simple graphics. While the diverse environments and engaging gameplay are praised, the overall technical execution leaves much to be desired, detracting from the experience.
“It is all of the good of party and deduction games with none of the bad... except that it isn't that well optimized and graphics look a little scuffed on the low settings, and of course you need to find someone to play, but what I mean is that it's good.”
“However, to the devs, I think that either the frame capping or the performance should be worked on as currently it is capped at 55 fps.”
“It's fun, but holy cow is it not optimized.”
“No game, no matter how unoptimized, should ever use 99% of your GPU with graphics and map sizes of this level.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is characterized by vibrant and whimsical designs that enhance its lighthearted tone, creating an engaging and accessible experience for players of all ages. The colorful environments and playful animations contribute to a captivating atmosphere that reflects the protagonist's emotions and adventures, adding to the overall charm and enjoyment of the game.
“The vibrant, exaggerated character designs and playful animations add to the game's charm and make it accessible for players of all ages.”
“The use of vibrant colors and whimsical character design sets a captivating, dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the emotions and adventures of the protagonist.”
“The character designs are charming and exude a whimsical charm that adds to the overall enjoyment.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters on a meaningful level.”
“I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me wanting more complexity and growth.”
“The lack of meaningful choices in character development made my decisions feel inconsequential and diminished my investment in the story.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game's monetization strategy, particularly its reliance on microtransactions, detracts from the overall experience, especially given the game's incomplete and unpolished state. Players suggest that developers should consider alternative funding methods, like Patreon, rather than implementing monetization in a way that feels forced and negatively impacts gameplay.
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
“I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items for purchase, but they don't affect gameplay, which keeps the experience balanced.”
“The developers have done a great job of providing free content updates while also offering optional paid features that enhance the game.”
“Anything asking for microtransactions shouldn't be messed up on a core level so much.”
“Dev, if you're tight on money, try asking people to support you on Patreon instead of shoehorning monetization in a severely incomplete and unpolished game; it's really off-putting.”
“Fun for the first bit until one person just adds on any non-moving character and waits to see if they move properly or not; this is just poor game design.”