Kentucky Route Zero
- February 22, 2013
- cardboardcomputer
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam"Kentucky Route Zero" is a magical realist adventure game presented in five acts. Players explore an otherworldly version of Kentucky, encountering a cast of eccentric characters and solving puzzles to uncover the secrets of a mysterious underground highway. The game features a haunting electronic score and is known for its striking visual style that combines elements of theater, film, and experimental art.
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Reviews
- Beautiful art style and atmospheric sound design create a haunting and immersive experience.
- Thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of debt, loss, and the human condition.
- Unique storytelling approach that allows players to shape character backstories and relationships through dialogue choices.
- Slow pacing and excessive dialogue can lead to boredom and frustration for some players.
- Limited gameplay mechanics, with many choices feeling superficial and not impacting the overall story.
- The narrative can be confusing and disjointed, leaving players with unanswered questions and a lack of resolution.
- story1,197 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of *Kentucky Route Zero* is a surreal and atmospheric journey that blends magical realism with themes of debt, loss, and community in rural America. Players navigate a fragmented narrative filled with rich character backstories and abstract dialogue, often leaving much to interpretation and imagination. While some find the storytelling captivating and deeply engaging, others criticize it for being convoluted and lacking a coherent plot, making it more of an interactive experience than a traditional game.
“A beautiful, sometimes abstract, haunting & many-layered story told through five acts with interludes in-between.”
“The story pulls you deeper and deeper as you play and each chapter has references to past and future chapters; it is very cleverly written.”
“Kentucky Route Zero is a masterful work of interactive storytelling that is executed astoundingly well.”
“The story is all over the place and I just lost interest after chapter 2.”
“The story line could only have been assembled by someone on a hallucinatory substance - it is weird beyond belief - and player interaction is limited and often without consequence.”
“The story makes no sense, goes nowhere, and will leave you very dissatisfied at the end if you can even make it that far.”
- music376 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, blending ambient sounds with bluegrass and folk elements that enhance the emotional depth of the narrative. Many players highlight specific musical moments, particularly a standout performance in Act III, as some of the most beautiful and memorable experiences in gaming. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a vital component that complements the stunning visuals and storytelling, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere.
“The music is an integral part of the story.”
“The soundtrack is incredibly beautiful, both the ambient music and the songs by the Bedquilt Ramblers.”
“The atmosphere created through the graphics and music is really something else.”
“The soundtrack to all of this is 80% dark ambience and 20% old gospel ballads which combine to create an immersive atmosphere that fits the aesthetic perfectly.”
“Even the music scene that people rave about is nothing special.”
“I was expecting a big setup but it's really just a meaningless musical number in the middle of the game.”
- graphics354 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Kentucky Route Zero" are widely praised for their unique, minimalist art style that evokes a dreamlike atmosphere, blending elements of magical realism with southern gothic aesthetics. Many reviewers highlight the game's stunning visuals and atmospheric soundtrack, which together create an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. While some players find the graphics simple or lacking in detail, the overall consensus is that the art direction significantly contributes to the game's emotional depth and narrative engagement.
“The visuals are beautiful - the minimalist art style and variety in camera perspectives are truly well done.”
“A masterpiece of graphics, sound, writing, and music which borders between spooky, nostalgic, and dreamlike.”
“Kentucky Route Zero has incredible visuals and sound.”
“The graphics are basic/stylized with lots of dark screens and low-resolution characters.”
“As for the gameplay and the visuals: between the performance issues, noticeable graphics hiccups, aliasing on the text, and just plain glacial pace, it's a frustrating experience to play.”
“The graphics are minimalistic, but the art style is unique; it's as gorgeous as any other game in my catalog.”
- atmosphere298 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and evocative qualities, characterized by stunning visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and a surreal, melancholic tone that resonates deeply with players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create a dreamlike experience, drawing players into its unique world, though some note that the slow pacing and minimal gameplay can lead to moments of boredom. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate narrative-driven, artistic experiences.
“Its minimalist yet evocative aesthetic crafts an atmospheric ballet, resonating with the soul rather than the eye.”
“It's definitely a slow burn, but it's well worth sticking with it because there's a beautiful otherworldly atmosphere that I can't really compare to anything else.”
“The atmosphere, style, and occasional music is pretty great.”
“The game aims for an atmosphere of aimless wandering to match the vagrant nature of the protagonists, but instead of a lazy road trip, the game feels more like a somewhat too long piece of avant-garde theatre, or like going to an empty museum of modern art near closing time.”
“While I appreciated KRZ's atmosphere and style, I found the slow pace, extremely linear, text-based experience mind-numbing.”
“If the overall atmosphere of the game was more consistent, that might be enough, but by Act III the boring parts are starting to outnumber the good moments, and there's no reason to expect things will get any better.”
- gameplay245 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Kentucky Route Zero" is characterized as minimal and primarily revolves around point-and-click mechanics, with a heavy emphasis on dialogue and narrative rather than traditional gameplay elements like puzzles or challenges. Many reviewers noted that the game feels more like an interactive story or visual novel, often lacking meaningful player agency, which can lead to a slow and sometimes tedious experience. While the artistic presentation and storytelling are praised, those seeking conventional gameplay may find it lacking.
“Brilliant art and narrative style, combined with creative game mechanics make this an absolute masterpiece.”
“This game provides unique gameplay that allows you to explore a surrealist landscape from multiple perspectives.”
“The gameplay is point and click but the choices you make are purely in dialogue, which may not interest some.”
“The gameplay itself is nonexistent, just click through dialogue.”
“If you want a game with any kind of autonomy or real choices or any kind of game mechanics at all, this is going to disappoint you.”
“Ultimately I stopped after act 3 due to the nonexistent gameplay.”
- emotional74 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is described as a profound and unique experience, evoking a wide range of feelings from melancholy to inspiration, often leading players to tears. While some moments are hauntingly beautiful and deeply touching, others may feel disjointed or lacking in emotional connection, particularly in later acts. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create lasting emotional impressions and for its artistic storytelling that resonates with players on a personal level.
“It's haunting, surreal, and emotionally striking.”
“A masterpiece of modernist storytelling, equal in emotional impact to the best novels or movies about the human experience; it is without question one of the best meditations on mortality and art produced in the last forty years.”
“This game made me feel things that I had never felt before.”
- grinding31 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and often boring, with many players feeling that the slow pacing and repetitive actions detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the artistic intent behind the game's design, the overwhelming sentiment is that it becomes a frustrating slog, with long, uninteractive sequences and monotonous puzzles leading to a sense of disillusionment. Overall, the game is seen as lacking engaging gameplay, resulting in a tedious experience that fails to maintain player interest.
“It is too tedious to progress in this game.”
“The game itself is... pretentious and tedious.”
“Good god, is it dull and tedious.”
- humor22 mentions
- 95 % positive mentions
- -9 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The humor in "Kentucky Route Zero" is described as a blend of dark, surreal, and melancholic elements, often evoking both laughter and reflection. While some find it rich in literary themes and poignant moments, others note inconsistencies in dialogue and translation that detract from the experience. Overall, the game offers a unique, dreamlike quality with doses of warmth and wit, appealing to those who appreciate its intricate storytelling and artistic approach rather than traditional comedic styles.
“It's a look at Americana that is bleak at times, at other times darkly hilarious, at other times shockingly optimistic, and at other times absolutely sublime.”
“Very dreamlike, funny, a bit creepy and slightly dark at times, but with a warm fuzzy core.”
“Doses of humor, warmth, bewilderment, and wonder await all that play.”
“It's not funny or witty in the way you might expect if you're a fan of classic point-and-click games.”
“The humor falls flat and often feels forced, lacking the charm of better-written games.”
“I found the jokes to be stale and unoriginal, failing to elicit even a chuckle.”
- replayability20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the branching dialogue choices and side content that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others feel that the lack of significant narrative divergence limits its overall replay value. Although it offers enough variety to warrant a second or third playthrough, many agree it is not infinitely replayable. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable enough to revisit, but expectations for extensive replayability should be tempered.
“Like many other games, the choices you make affect what the game reflects about yourself, and this adds to the replayability and the content you see.”
“There's enough side content in the acts to find, and branching dialogue choices that provide a decent amount of replay value.”
“Extremely replayable, with a startlingly brilliant script and a soundtrack that conveys more emotion than expected.”
“Unfortunately, the replayability is not that high since most of the decisions don't result in different paths (unless you're a perfectionist trying to get all of the achievements).”
“At first, I thought this was amazing because I inaccurately believed I had the ability to choose what an NPC would say and that it would change the story... perhaps making the story replayable with multiple different story arcs!”
“You're traveling around this river and at each stop you have a choice of which characters to follow, I guess... so there might be some replayability, but why would you want to replay any of it?”
- optimization14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with players noting a smooth performance in terms of artistic presentation, but significant issues with gameplay, including graphics hiccups and a slow pace that detracts from the overall experience. While the unique blend of interactive fiction and performance art is appreciated, the technical shortcomings have led to frustration among users. Overall, the game is seen more as a work of art than a traditional gaming experience, with its performance elements being a highlight despite the optimization flaws.
“Performance is buttery smooth, and its art-style and soundtrack are exceptional.”
“I honestly think that Junebug and Johnny’s performance changed this from 'a beautiful game' to 'a work of art' for me.”
“The best part is it has had some of the most amazing bluegrass music performances woven into the story.”
“As for the gameplay and the visuals: between the performance issues, noticeable graphics hiccups, aliasing on the text, and just plain glacial pace, it's a frustrating experience to play.”
“I think currently it gets lumped in with narrative-focused games and while that's not entirely inaccurate it also reminds me of late night short foreign movies and performance art and those weird sometimes mesmerizing, sometimes grating and repulsive works of art that tend to inspire some pretty strong but not very positive reactions.”
“But it is completely strange and alien, you might as well be in another place where dogs wear straw hats, skeletons harvest strange molds, roofs disintegrate during music performances, and there is this weird underground highway that seems to go on forever and everyone addresses it as if it were completely ordinary, unremarkable and dull.”
- character development13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a central focus, allowing players to make choices that deepen their understanding of the characters and their stories. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and pacing in later acts, others criticize the overall narrative and pacing, suggesting that the game prioritizes mood and aesthetics over traditional character arcs. The ability to influence character development through dialogue choices adds replay value, making it a unique experience for those who prioritize story over action.
“It doesn't rush or hold back its character development; which actually you, the player, make choices for and play as, giving you a more intimate understanding of the characters.”
“It has a truly interesting story, it has mysterious elements and character development; it's weird and beautiful and it has a lot to explore.”
“Play it if you want to experience a game unlike any other, and if you value story and character development over points and explosions.”
“It is a game for people who accept an evocation of a mood, or a suggestion of a feeling, as substitutes for narrative or character development.”
“Beautiful but very boring, with terrible plot and character development.”
“Instead it lets the character development and presentation propel the story.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn criticism for its perceived lack of transparency, as players feel misled by the initial promise of a five-act structure that currently only delivers three. Additionally, the external media that expands the game's story is difficult to access, leading some to suggest waiting for a complete version before engaging with the game. Overall, there are concerns about the developers' intentions and the delays in content delivery.
“It is some folks' opinion that you should wait until the game is completely and totally finished before you bother with the first three acts, as the developers are totally attempting to scam us all by falsely advertising a five-act game while only delivering three.”
“Despite initial advertising with a 2013 release schedule, the game's individual acts have been delayed for personal reasons of the developers, and quality concerns.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features impressive graphics and a captivating aesthetic, but users report experiencing various glitches that affect stability. Despite these bugs, many find the overall experience enjoyable and are willing to wait for improvements.
“The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there. It is pleasant all the same, and I was really impressed by the aesthetic and the usage of the Unity engine to bring Kentucky Route Zero's world to life.”
“It was buggy but kind of neat, so I thought I'd wait until it finished.”
