Little Brother Jim
- September 6, 2019
- Tonguç Bodur
Get on SteamLittle Brother Jim is a narrative-driven game that follows Paul as he reminisces about his late brother Jim on a walk up to a hill they used to visit. Along the way, Paul discovers magical mailboxes containing notes from Jim, which reveal his love for a challenging jeep parking video game. The game allows players to switch between Paul's journey and the jeep parking levels, with the option to skip levels after a few fails or notes. It is recommended to take your time and pay attention to the details for a richer gaming experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Beautiful and varied landscapes with impressive graphics and sound design.
- The combination of walking simulator and driving mini-game adds unique gameplay elements, providing a refreshing change of pace.
- The story, told through letters, offers emotional depth and reflection on life, resonating with players.
- The driving mini-game feels disconnected from the walking simulator, leading to a jarring experience that disrupts immersion.
- The story's presentation through notes suffers from poor punctuation and readability issues, making it frustrating for some players.
- Some gameplay mechanics, like slow movement speed and limited exploration, detract from the overall experience.
- story17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The story is primarily conveyed through notes, which some players find difficult to read due to poor punctuation, yet it evolves into a poignant narrative that intertwines themes of nostalgia and bittersweet memories. While the initial gameplay can be frustrating, the unfolding story ultimately ties together well with the game's ambiance and music, creating a reflective experience centered on the characters' relationships, particularly between two brothers. Despite its flaws, the narrative is praised for its emotional depth and pacing, culminating in a hopeful conclusion.
“The jeep game made 100% more sense by the end of the story, and damn, was it bitter-sweet.”
“But as the story unfolded, everything came together.”
“Throughout, you will be presented with notes that develop the actual story, and as it progresses, what starts as whimsy and fond memories slowly turns to wistful longing and sadness, but ends on a hopeful note.”
“One problem is that the story is told through notes, and comma usage is just all over the place, which makes it a pain to read at times.”
“The story doesn't explain it very well.”
“These follow a completely prototypical walking simulator format, with story coming in the form of letters, so you have to go from mailbox to mailbox until the level ends.”
- music7 mentions
- 86 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is consistently praised for its relaxing and chill ambiance, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the quality of the tracks, including dedicated guitar and keyboard compositions, which contribute positively to the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Overall, the music stands out as one of the game's strongest elements.
“The music, ambiance, and story are all excellent.”
“The music in the walking sim was also nice and chill.”
“The music was all stellar with dedicated guitar tracks and dedicated keyboard tracks in a variety of playstyles.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a mix of driving and parking minigames, adding variety and fun, though the two gameplay sections feel distinct and unrelated. Players can expect mechanics reminiscent of a quirky operation game, with a humorous twist, while the walking levels offer basic movement options, including a unique autowalk feature. Overall, the gameplay is diverse but may feel disjointed due to its contrasting elements.
“This time, however, he mixed it with a driving/parking minigame, which is kind of fun and gives the game more gameplay than usual.”
“I have no choice but to review this as two separate games, as the two gameplay sections have nothing in common.”
“As far as the gameplay mechanics go, imagine you are playing a game of operation, only with a van instead of tweezers, and you have taken just as much diazepam as the doctor in Surgeon Simulator.”
“In terms of gameplay during the walking levels, you can walk, run, jump once, toggle walk (aka autowalk, aka the best feature possible in a walking simulator), look around, and interact with padlocks.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that while the game features some emotional moments, they are insufficient to evoke a strong emotional response overall. The narrative explores themes of sadness and hope related to loss, creating a nuanced emotional experience, but it ultimately leaves players wanting more depth in its emotional engagement.
“It works too because the emotional paradox of sadness and hope accompanying the loss of a loved one would only be convoluted by anything more grand.”
“But there seems to be an emotional connection between the two aspects, so why not?”
“And so it’s a bit of an emotional roller coaster.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics have received positive feedback, with users appreciating the distinct art styles that contrast sharply between the driving game’s low-poly cartoon aesthetic and the walking simulator’s realistic visuals. This unique combination enhances the overall experience, making the graphics one of the standout features of the game.
“The music and graphics are the only good things about the story of the letters.”
“I like that the graphics in these levels are such a stark departure from the normal style.”
“This is a weird but good mix of two games smashed together; both are good but have very different art styles. The driving game has a low-poly cartoon style while the walking sim is realistic. I would love for a standalone driving game in the same style with the cool physics.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing concept of a bear driving, which adds a lighthearted touch to the experience. Players appreciate how the walking simulator and parking simulator elements are cleverly intertwined, enhancing the comedic effect. Overall, the game's humor is well-executed and contributes positively to its overall charm.
“The driving game was coded very well, and seeing a bear driving made me laugh.”
“It's pretty funny in concept, and the walking simulator part of the game almost immediately explains why the parking simulator part is there, tying everything together immaculately.”
