Life on the Hook
- February 21, 2022
- Arkuda Inc.
"Life on the Hook" is a serene 30-minute game about a fisherman named Hrafn, who reflects on his life. With a soothing soundtrack, players will explore and search for items, experiencing Hrafn's soulful journey while contemplating the moments missed in their own lives.
Reviews
- Beautiful and emotional story about family love and loss.
- Gorgeous visuals and a relaxing soundtrack enhance the atmosphere.
- Well-written and acted voice-over that adds depth to the narrative.
- Very short gameplay, lasting only about 30 minutes.
- Voice acting and writing quality are inconsistent, affecting immersion.
- Gameplay can feel repetitive with limited interactions and exploration.
- story22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The game's story is a poignant exploration of loss and nostalgia, conveyed through a slow-paced narrative that unfolds as players discover items on a small island. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and atmosphere, others criticize the execution and pacing, feeling that the indirect storytelling method detracts from the overall experience. Ultimately, the story is described as sad yet reflective, making for a brief but impactful journey.
“Walking sim with a sad and beautiful story.”
“Short little emotional story, well worth the 30-minute playthrough.”
“Simple game for half an hour, the atmosphere is cool, the story is sad... overall I liked the game, I recommend it!”
“I don't mind story games, but this is just poorly executed.”
“In the 30 minutes it took me to beat the game, probably 20 of those were spent doing laps around the island, looking for the last item I needed to click to advance the story.”
“I understand it's only intended to be a short story, but I wasn't impressed.”
- music16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and beautiful qualities, contributing positively to the overall atmosphere. However, several users noted that the background music can be excessively loud, occasionally overpowering the voice acting and narration. Overall, while the soundtrack is a highlight, its volume levels detract from the experience.
“Music is soothing.”
“I loved the graphics and the soundtrack is just wonderful.”
“My only complaint is the background music was too loud and sometimes overpowered the narration.”
“The music is so loud it drowns out the voice acting at times.”
“The art style and music are the only positive things about this game.”
- emotional12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching narrative centered on family love and loss, with some players finding it straightforward and impactful in its brevity. However, opinions are mixed, as some reviewers felt it lacked emotional depth and failed to resonate personally, despite its beautiful presentation. Overall, it offers a heartwarming experience for some, while others found it emotionally flat.
“An emotional tale about family love and loss.”
“Short little emotional story, well worth the 30 minute playthrough.”
“Such a beautiful and heartwarming game.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is consistently praised for its melancholy tone and beautiful art direction, creating a relaxing yet emotionally resonant experience. Players appreciate the cool ambiance and the sad story, which enhances the overall enjoyment of the game.
“It has a melancholy atmosphere and beautiful art direction.”
“Simple game for half an hour, the atmosphere is cool, the story is sad... overall I liked the game, I recommend it!”
“Atmospheric and relaxing.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as acceptable, with some moments of beauty, particularly enhanced by effective lighting. While the art style and soundtrack receive praise, there are noted issues with controls and a lack of depth in writing and voice acting. Overall, the visuals are a mixed bag, appreciated by some but not universally acclaimed.
“I loved the graphics and the soundtrack is just wonderful.”
“Music is beautiful, visuals are okay and sometimes beautiful (they get a lot out of the lighting).”
“The art style and music are the only positive things about this game.”
“There were a couple of issues with the controls and graphics as well.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay is notably brief, with users highlighting a duration of approximately 30 minutes. This short playtime may limit the overall experience for some players.
“The gameplay is disappointingly short, lasting only about 30 minutes.”
“I was really let down by the gameplay; it only lasts around 30 minutes.”
“The game offers a frustratingly brief gameplay experience of just 30 minutes.”