Little Orpheus

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 246 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Little Orpheus Game Cover
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
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In Little Orpheus, players control a Soviet cosmonaut who claims to have saved the world after disappearing for three years. The game features a journey to the center of the Earth in a tiny spacecraft, where players will explore lost civilizations, undersea kingdoms, and prehistoric environments while evading various dangers. The narrative is presented as a debriefing to a fearsome general, adding a humorous and suspenseful tone to the game.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 246 reviews
story88 positive mentions
stability9 negative mentions
  • Visually stunning with vibrant environments and beautiful graphics that create an immersive experience.
  • Engaging and humorous storytelling, with witty dialogue and charming characters that keep players entertained.
  • Casual gameplay that is easy to pick up, making it suitable for a wide audience, including younger players.
  • Gameplay is overly simplistic and repetitive, often feeling like a 'walking simulator' with minimal challenge.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches, particularly in later chapters, can disrupt the experience and require restarts.
  • The narrative can become tedious, with unskippable cutscenes and a lack of meaningful gameplay progression.
  • story207 mentions

    The story of "Little Orpheus" is characterized by its whimsical and humorous narrative, following the misadventures of a Soviet cosmonaut named Ivan as he recounts his journey through a fantastical underground world. While many players appreciate the charming characters, witty dialogue, and engaging plot twists, some feel that the story loses momentum towards the end, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful visuals and strong storytelling, making it a delightful experience for fans of narrative-driven titles, despite some criticisms regarding gameplay and pacing.

    • “The story follows a daring Soviet cosmonaut named Ivan, who gets lost deep beneath the Earth's surface in a mysterious world full of strange creatures, ancient secrets, and unexpected twists.”
    • “Little Orpheus is an example of a linear story-heavy platformer done right: juicy and rich visuals, great themed music that conveys the atmosphere and bizarre but captivating plot.”
    • “The amazing humor, the driven plot, and the way the game keeps you involved in the story makes the time just fly by.”
    • “The story is very boring with even more boring gameplay, but amazing graphics.”
    • “The storytelling is a massive let-down.”
    • “The whole game revolves around Ivan telling a Russian general the story of how he lost Little Orpheus and the bomb, coming up with the most outrageous story anybody has ever heard.”
  • gameplay90 mentions

    The gameplay in "Little Orpheus" is generally described as simplistic and linear, often likened to a walking simulator with minimal challenge and repetitive mechanics. While the visuals and narrative are praised, many reviewers feel that the gameplay lacks depth and engagement, making it more suitable for those who prioritize story over interactive elements. Overall, the game is seen as entertaining but not particularly innovative or challenging in its gameplay design.

    • “The gameplay itself is wonderfully paced, with simple yet satisfying mechanics that make the exploration feel effortless.”
    • “The gameplay was simple but fun.”
    • “Overall I'd recommend this game to fans of story-driven titles that enjoy exploring some cool locations with nice graphics and like chill gameplay without much of a challenge.”
    • “Gameplay is a linear affair.”
    • “There's not much actual gameplay here.”
    • “The gameplay itself isn't particularly innovative or challenging, but Little Orpheus isn't a game about gameplay.”
  • graphics63 mentions

    The graphics in this game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning remastered visuals, vibrant art style, and beautiful environments that enhance the overall experience. While some players noted that the gameplay may not match the high standard set by the visuals, the artistic design and captivating graphics are often highlighted as the game's strongest features, making it a visually engaging experience. Overall, the graphics are described as a major selling point, contributing significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “This definitive edition brings the magic of the original to life in stunning remastered visuals, making it the perfect way to experience this gem.”
    • “Little Orpheus is an example of a linear story-heavy platformer done right: juicy and rich visuals, great themed music that conveys the atmosphere and bizarre but captivating plot.”
    • “The graphics are amazing, and make it just an overall enjoyable experience.”
    • “The graphics are obviously inexpensive, but the artistic style is a perfect match for the game.”
    • “Graphics are what is saving this game from being a complete disaster, and probably what made it good on mobile.”
    • “There are some funny things that can give you smiles in the beginning, and graphics are colorful but not enough for me to recommend this game.”
  • humor52 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a quirky blend of classic adventure storytelling and imaginative comedy, appealing to both children and adults. While many players found the narrative and dialogue to be genuinely funny and engaging, some felt that certain jokes fell flat or were overly simplistic. Overall, the game is praised for its charming visuals and humorous storytelling, though opinions on the effectiveness of its humor vary among players.

    • “It's quirky, funny, and amazingly imaginative.”
    • “The amazing humor, the driven plot, the way the game keeps you involved in the story, makes the time just fly by.”
    • “The story was incredibly funny and some of the voice lines made me cackle with joy.”
    • “It's supposed to be funny - and perhaps to some degree it is, but it was mostly annoying, and because of that, I have actually lost interest in the story and was praying for this guy to finally shut up.”
    • “You can't even skip past the unfunny video clips.”
  • music32 mentions

    The music in "Little Orpheus" is widely praised for its quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, often drawing comparisons to iconic film scores like those from Indiana Jones. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack's effectiveness in complementing the narrative and gameplay, with some noting that it reacts to player actions, creating an immersive experience. Overall, the music is considered one of the game's strongest elements, contributing significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “Little Orpheus is a linear story-heavy platformer done right: juicy and rich visuals, great themed music that conveys the atmosphere and bizarre but captivating plot.”
    • “The visuals are outstanding, and the music and sound do an incredible job of bringing this strange new world to life.”
    • “The music also went very well with every scenario and the unbelievable (obviously lying) narration very well complemented the game progress as well.”
    • “The world is remarkably animated, the music keeps it exciting (and sometimes the music is tied directly to what you're doing!), and the atmosphere created in these worlds gives a feel of really being involved.”
    • “A casual side scroller with Hollywood level visuals, music, and voice overs.”
  • stability9 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, particularly in the later episodes, with numerous bugs and glitches that often require players to restart the game to progress. Many users report that these technical problems detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration and interruptions in gameplay. A patch from the developers could potentially improve this aspect and enhance player satisfaction.

    • “As a game, it is just not working; it's buggy and frustrating.”
    • “Towards the end of the game (particularly episode 8), I experienced a lot of glitches and bugs which forced me to shut the game down and restart in order to resolve.”
    • “A series of bugs and glitches crop up from episode 8 onwards that forced me to have to quit and restart the game in order to progress.”
  • atmosphere9 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Little Orpheus" is widely praised for its rich visuals, engaging music, and immersive storytelling, creating a captivating experience that draws players into its quirky world. Reviewers highlight the game's strong audio design and animation, which enhance the overall ambiance, making it a standout in narrative-driven gameplay despite its simpler mechanics. Ultimately, the atmosphere is considered a key reason to play, overshadowing the gameplay itself.

    • “What you can expect from The Chinese Room's games is great storytelling and atmosphere, smart writing, great voice acting, solid audio design, and very good music.”
    • “Little Orpheus is an example of a linear story-heavy platformer done right: juicy and rich visuals, great themed music that conveys the atmosphere and bizarre but captivating plot.”
    • “The world is remarkably animated, the music keeps it exciting, and the atmosphere created in these worlds gives a feel of really being involved.”
    • “I really liked the atmosphere and the story was okay, but there wasn't much to do except to hold D.”
    • “Gameplay isn't the reason why you should be playing 'Little Orpheus,' you should be playing for the story and obviously the atmosphere.”
    • “Coming from the acknowledged masters of the walking simulator, it is probably not surprising that this run-to-the-right puzzle platformer emphasizes the atmosphere, environments, and story at the expense of challenging gameplay.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often likening it to a walking simulator. While some levels offer brief moments of excitement through chase and stealth segments, the overall experience can feel monotonous and lacking in challenge, leading to frustration rather than satisfaction.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
    • “It's tedious and boring; a walking simulator.”
    • “It truly feels like a tedious walking simulator.”
    • “It's sooooo terribly tedious and boring; definitely not challenging or in any way a satisfying accomplishment once accomplished.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, users indicate that the game offers a moderate level of replayability, with some players noting it as "infinitely replayable," while others suggest it has limited replay value.

    • “The game is infinitely replayable.”
    • “There is some replayability.”
    • “It offers a good amount of replayability.”
    • “Oh, replayability? Well, there is some.”
    • “+ Some replayability.”
    • “~ Replayability ~”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-written characters and impactful moments, creating a strong connection for players, particularly those familiar with the setting. While some find the gameplay lacking, the emotional depth and beautiful graphics contribute to a memorable experience.

    • “The mix-up between Omsk and Tomsk was especially heartwarming for me, as I live around these two places.”
    • “Egttr is beautiful and intriguing, featuring a large cast of well-written characters and some devastating emotional moments.”
    • “The story lacks emotional depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “I felt no emotional investment in the plot; it was predictable and uninspiring.”
    • “Despite the beautiful visuals, the emotional impact of the narrative fell flat.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization of *Little Orpheus* is not perceived as a cash grab; instead, it is viewed as a genuine product that offers value to players without excessive focus on profit.

    • “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
    • “I appreciate the game, but the constant push for in-game purchases really detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “It's frustrating that so many features are locked behind paywalls, making it feel like a pay-to-win scenario.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users reporting performance issues and bugs that hinder gameplay. While certain aspects run smoothly, others experience significant lag and crashes, indicating a need for further refinement. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be inconsistent, affecting the overall user experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

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Play time

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

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