Knee Deep

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 98 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Knee Deep Game Cover
Impressively single-minded in its aim, Knee Deep strips everything back from aesthetics to player agency to fashion a non-linear narrative adventure quite unlike any other. Fans of well-written adventures would do well to not sleep on Knee Deep.
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"Knee Deep" is an interactive narrative game where you investigate a mysterious suicide in a Florida town as three different characters. The game features dynamic storytelling with meaningful choices and consequences, and it utilizes a unique theater-like setting with vivid voice-overs and music. Uncover a swampland conspiracy through realistic conversations and observations.

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Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 98 reviews
story33 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Unique and engaging premise of presenting the story as a stage play, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
  • Strong writing and character development, with interesting dialogue choices that impact the story.
  • Great voice acting and soundtrack that contribute to the immersive experience.
  • Short gameplay duration, with some players feeling it doesn't justify the full price.
  • Bugs and glitches present, including issues with dialogue options and character animations.
  • The plot becomes convoluted and less coherent in later acts, leading to a disappointing conclusion for some players.
  • story123 mentions

    The story is presented as a stage play, offering a unique and intriguing narrative experience that blends mystery and noir elements. While the plot features interesting twists and character development, it can become convoluted and absurd, leading to mixed reviews on its coherence and engagement. Overall, players appreciate the interactive storytelling approach, though some feel the execution lacks depth and clarity at times.

    • “The premise of the story itself is an interesting one and the idea of everything playing out as some kind of stage production is a unique and clever idea.”
    • “The story is enjoyable and replayable, with just enough variety as a result of your choices.”
    • “Great voice acting, music, story.”
    • “The dialogue is okay, but the plot is unbelievably bad.”
    • “But then the 3rd act came and I was stunned at how truly off the rails the story went.”
    • “The story shifts from one scene to the next with such a frequency that it's difficult to follow what's going on and remain interested.”
  • gameplay23 mentions

    The gameplay is generally described as simplistic and minimal, often revolving around pressing a single button or making dialogue choices that lack significant impact on the story. While some players appreciate the unique mechanics and the homage to theater, many feel that the gameplay is nearly non-existent, with limited engagement and repetitive elements. Overall, the experience is more about the narrative than interactive gameplay, making it suitable for those seeking a laid-back experience rather than challenging mechanics.

    • “The gameplay in and of itself is fairly simple, and I absolutely recommend you play it laid back with a controller.”
    • “I had a special appreciation for the minigames since while they are hardly unique, they hit the sweet spot of occasionally giving you a break from the usual gameplay, without being so numerous or lengthy as to become tedious.”
    • “The mechanics are no different from anything else in the genre, but by embracing the idea of the player being the director rather than an actor, the more tedious walking from point A to B aspects of the genre are removed, which lets you focus on the story.”
    • “Gameplay requires minimal effort as you mostly press just one button.”
    • “The gameplay is non-existent.”
    • “Not much gameplay aside from choosing between different answers, and the choices don't seem to matter that much.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the narrative, with many reviewers praising the captivating soundtrack as a standout feature. While some noted minor issues with voice acting and sound effects, the overall consensus is that the music is well-crafted and integral to the gaming experience, making it enjoyable even outside of gameplay. The combination of engaging soundscapes and thematic scores contributes significantly to the game's immersive quality.

    • “The soundtrack is very good, it helps so much with the atmosphere; each scene has a soundtrack that perfectly explains what's currently happening on stage.”
    • “The music and sound effects were amazing; I had to play about twenty minutes of it without sound and it felt a lot less engaging that way.”
    • “As I said, the voice acting is convincing, the music soundtrack is so perfectly matched to the setting and the story parts; no major studio could have done it better.”
    • “While the music was fine (even atmospheric), every single character's recording sounded like they had reverb on for the entire game.”
    • “The graphics, voice acting, and music are all sub-par.”
    • “Still in Cypress Knee, that strangely familiar Florida town, but now there is a weirdly creepy fair complete with a set of rhyming villagers reminiscent of an off-kilter Broadway musical.”
  • graphics17 mentions

    The graphics of the game are described as a mix of "pretty" visuals and low-budget aesthetics, with some users appreciating the quirky art style that complements the story. While some visuals are deemed impressive, others are criticized for being sparse and lacking detail, leading to a somewhat artificial feel. Overall, the graphics are considered passable, with a few bugs noted, but they contribute to an immersive experience that aligns well with the game's tone.

    • “I love the aesthetic.”
    • “The visuals range from impressive to sufficient.”
    • “The choice of graphical style is quirky, but fits seamlessly into the tone of the story as it's written.”
    • “Graphics remind me of the late 1990s.”
    • “The graphics, voice acting, and music are all sub-par.”
    • “I didn't like this at all and after 20 minutes had the impression that randomly mashing the trackpad would probably complete the game. Add to that pretty sparse graphics and shadowy, nondescript characters I could only see the outline of; it soon became very tedious.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its chaotic yet cozy vibe, reminiscent of shows like Twin Peaks and The X-Files, enhanced by a fitting soundtrack that complements each scene. Players appreciate the immersive experience created by audience reactions and the unique visual style, which evokes a theatrical feel while maintaining a grounded storyline. Overall, the combination of strong writing, engaging settings, and a melancholic tone contributes to a captivating and memorable atmosphere.

    • “The soundtrack is very good, it helps so much with the atmosphere; each scene has a soundtrack that perfectly explains what's currently happening on stage.”
    • “The gasps of the audience echo your own, the questions running through the characters' minds echo your own; it's an extremely well-written game, with great graphics and a great atmosphere.”
    • “Great atmosphere, great story, great acting, and the way it's presented, wow - good show devs. Can't wait for your next piece of work!”
    • “Would recommend to anyone who's into interactive stories reminding them of the chaotic and cozy atmosphere of Twin Peaks or (even more likely) goofy episodes of The X-Files.”
    • “Really accomplishes atmosphere and story; length is decent as well (I'm halfway through Act 1 at almost 3 hours).”
    • “Southern locations, melancholy atmosphere, and allusions to theater all make appearances here, but it still is very much its own game with a storyline that is more grounded than kr0.”
  • humor11 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the strong writing and wacky character interactions, others find the repetitive jokes and inconsistent tone detract from the overall experience. The game features moments of clever self-deprecation and black humor, particularly when players choose specific character options, but it struggles to maintain a balance between comedy and drama as the story progresses. Overall, the humor can be hit or miss, with some genuinely funny moments overshadowed by overused gags.

    • “It's quite wacky, but it's also very funny - especially if you select the three main character's specific options (weird, belligerent, cynical).”
    • “+sense of humor: the game isn't afraid to poke fun at itself.”
    • “The characters of this game are also wonderfully written and funny.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find value in the choices that lead to different outcomes, others feel that the lack of meaningful differences and incentives diminishes the desire to replay. The story is enjoyable enough to warrant a second playthrough for some, but many agree that the replay value is limited.

    • “Seems to have good replay value.”
    • “But as your choices do make a difference, there is a certain replay value.”
    • “The story is enjoyable and replayable, with just enough variety as a result of your choices.”
    • “- Replayability: few of the choices truly seem meaningful, and there is little incentive to play again after the first time.”
    • “Replay value virtually nil unless you have a very bad memory.”
    • “But as your choices do make differences, there is a certain replay value.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews on grinding highlight a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the inclusion of minigames that provide a refreshing break from standard gameplay, others find the mechanics repetitive and tedious, leading to a lack of engagement. The overall sentiment suggests that while the game attempts to streamline the experience by minimizing monotonous tasks, it may still fall short for those seeking more depth and variety.

    • “I didn't like this at all and after 20 minutes had the impression that randomly mashing the trackpad would probably complete the game. Add to that pretty sparse graphics and shadowy, nondescript characters I could only see the outline of; it soon became very tedious.”
    • “The mechanics are no different from anything else in the genre, but by embracing the idea of the player being the director rather than an actor, the more tedious walking from point A to B aspects of the genre are removed, which lets you focus on the story.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The reviews suggest that the game's optimization allows players to feel in control of the narrative, as their decisions significantly influence the performance and progression of the story. This level of interactivity enhances the overall experience, making players feel integral to the unfolding events.

  • stability1 mentions

    Users report issues with stability, particularly highlighting buggy animations that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The game is plagued by buggy animations that disrupt the overall experience.”
    • “Frequent crashes and glitches make it hard to enjoy the gameplay.”
    • “I encountered numerous stability issues that led to frustrating interruptions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

73% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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