Lie In My Heart
- October 3, 2019
- Expressive Gamestudio
Get on Steam"Lie in My Heart" is a narrative-driven, interactive experience that explores the aftermath of a spouse's suicide. As the player, you'll delve into the couple's past, confronting decisions made and seeking answers to help your 5-year-old son cope with the loss. The game handles sensitive topics inspired by real-life events, offering a unique perspective on how we cope with grief.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a very intense and touching story that effectively raises awareness about sensitive topics like suicide and mental illness.
- It features a unique concept with high replay value due to its choice system, allowing players to explore different outcomes.
- The aesthetic atmosphere, graphic design, and music create an immersive experience that resonates emotionally with players.
- Some players felt there was insufficient character development, making it difficult to connect with the characters and their struggles.
- The game has been criticized for its handling of sensitive themes, with some feeling it romanticizes or trivializes serious issues like suicide and infidelity.
- A few players expressed disappointment over the lack of additional content, particularly cultural references that could have enhanced the experience.
- story20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's story is described as intense and deeply relatable, particularly for those who have experienced loss due to mental illness. While it effectively immerses players in a heartbreaking narrative, some reviewers feel it could benefit from more backstory before delving into heavy themes like suicide. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its emotional depth, though some elements may be romanticized or fictionalized for dramatic effect.
“A very intense and touching story.”
“From the first minute to the end, you are immersed in a heartbreaking and overwhelming story, and believe me, you don't want to stop.”
“Thanks to the author for having the courage to share his story through this game.”
“If this game had spent a little time giving the player even a little backstory of his family before just jumping right into the suicide scene, I think it would have been a much better visual novel.”
“I am really unsure that it is a tribute to whomever took their life to tell the story of a man that chose to cheat then leave their ill and hospitalized wife with a kid.”
“Obviously we're told that some events might have been romanticized or straight up invented for storytelling's sake.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Lie in My Heart" is characterized by its intense and touching narrative, which explores serious themes such as suicide with a rare emotional depth. While many players find the experience to be profoundly moving and thought-provoking, some critique the lack of character development, which can diminish emotional investment. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to engage players on sensitive subjects, creating a compelling and immersive experience.
“Lie in my heart is a play of rare emotional power which deals with a serious subject, the suicide of the author's wife.”
“Heartbreaking but never too pathos, and moreover, really interesting about the question of choice and the divergence between the game and reality; it also has a high replay value.”
“From the first minute to the end, you are immersed in a heartbreaking and overwhelming story and believe me, you don't want to stop.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their unique aesthetic and coherence with the overall theme, creating an absorbing universe that enhances the storytelling. The artistic design, including memorable drawings and music, contributes significantly to the game's expressive nature and its thought-provoking commentary on society. Overall, the visuals are considered a vital part of the game's immersive experience.
“The aesthetic atmosphere is very peculiar, still rarely seen in other video games.”
“The graphic design was coherent with the theme; it was my first time playing an expressive game. I really found the universe absorbing, and I appreciated the questions it asked about our society.”
“Of course, I could mention the beauty of the graphic designs of the game, the drawings, and above all, the memorable music. However, from my point of view, the most important aspect is the background behind the game and the story itself.”
“The game in itself, the mechanics, the production, the music and visuals is really fine.”
“Of course I could say a word concerning the beauty of the graphic designs of the game, the drawings and above all the music which is memorable, but from my point of view, the most important is the background behind the game and the story itself.”
“Graphic design was coherent with the theme; it was my first time playing an expressive game, I really found the universe absorbing, and I appreciated these questions it asked about our society.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its choice-driven narrative, allowing players to explore different outcomes and perspectives. Reviewers highlight its engaging storytelling and the thought-provoking nature of the choices, making each playthrough a unique experience. Overall, the replay value is considered a strong point, enhancing the game's autobiographical elements.
“Great game, well written, nice replay value thanks to the system of choices.”
“Heartbreaking but never too pathos, and moreover, really interesting about the question of choice and the divergence between the game and reality; it also has a high replay value.”
“A very nice take on what autobiography should be in video games, and the replay value is very interesting for this (I don't want to spoil, but you will see what I mean once you finish the story the first time).”
- character development4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a significant lack of character development, leading to a disconnection between players and the characters, which diminishes emotional engagement with the game. Many players express disappointment, feeling that the minimal development resulted in a wasted investment of both time and money.
“Not nearly enough character development to care about any of the characters in the game creates a much less emotional experience for the player, in my opinion.”
“At $6, without enough character development to make the player care, I feel more like I wasted 2 hours of my time and not only want my money back, but also my time.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as memorable and beautifully complements the overall experience, alongside impressive graphics and solid mechanics. Reviewers appreciate its contribution to the game's atmosphere, although they emphasize that the story and background are equally significant.
“The music in the game is memorable and adds a beautiful layer to the overall experience.”
“The game, with its mechanics, production, music, and visuals, is really well done.”
“The combination of music and visuals creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is well-received, featuring solid mechanics that focus on reacting to past events and choices. Players appreciate the overall production quality, including music and visuals, which enhance the gaming experience.
“The game mechanics, production, music, and visuals are all really well done.”
“The gameplay mechanics essentially involve reacting to events and choices that have already been made.”
“The gameplay mechanics are engaging and provide a unique experience.”
“The mechanics include, essentially, 'reacting' to events and choices that have already been made.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is noted for its unique and distinctive aesthetic, which sets it apart from other video games and contributes to an immersive experience.
“The aesthetic atmosphere is very peculiar and rarely seen in other video games.”
