Little Red Lie

About

Little Red Lie is a single player action game with a drama theme. It was developed by Will O'Neill and was released on July 7, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

In Little Red Lie, players navigate a web of deceit in a world plagued by economic turmoil. Two protagonists, Sarah and Arthur, confront their own lies and the lies of others as they struggle to survive. The game features a unique narrative mechanic where players must lie or tell the truth to progress the story, exploring themes of manipulation and class conflict.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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85%

Audience ScoreBased on 122 reviews

story23 positive mentions

atmosphere2 negative mentions

The writing is exceptionally well-crafted, providing a brutally honest and thought-provoking narrative that resonates with many players.
The game effectively explores heavy themes such as debt, mental illness, and societal expectations, making it a relevant and impactful experience.
The dual perspectives of the protagonists create a compelling contrast that deepens the narrative and engages players emotionally.

The game is heavily text-based with minimal interactivity, which may not appeal to players looking for traditional gameplay mechanics.
Many players found the lengthy writing and dark themes to be overwhelming or excessively bleak, leading to a sense of emotional exhaustion.
Some aspects of the story and character development felt unrealistic or overly dramatic, detracting from the overall experience for certain players.

story
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
71%
3%
The game's story is a complex and often bleak exploration of societal issues such as poverty, mental health, and the impact of financial struggles on personal relationships. While some players found the narrative gripping and thought-provoking, others criticized its nihilistic tone and lack of a satisfying resolution. Overall, it presents a unique, interactive storytelling experience that challenges players to confront uncomfortable truths about modern life, though it may not appeal to those seeking a more uplifting narrative.
- “Although it is a rather long game, you're tempted to play through in the first run, as the story remains gripping and leaves you wondering what is even real in our post-truth, consumerist world.”
- “The game and its story are so much more than about hammering you over the head with a bleak, pessimistic, modernist perspective on unyielding income inequality and how it is intersecting with mental health, eroding social values and trust, and the narcissism of small differences.”
- “It's a fantastic little gem if you can appreciate a rich, human story with twists and turns.”
- “The ending disgusted me and left me wondering what the point of the story was, unless that was exactly the point of the story, that 'there is no point to anything.' It was a slog and I'm glad it's over.”
- “This story feels like a long-winded Reddit rant about how horrible life is.”
- “The story is nihilistic and depressing for people who like that sort of thing.”
gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The gameplay is minimal and primarily revolves around simple interactions and narrative exploration, often described as more of an "interactive story" than a traditional game. While some players find the mechanics effective in conveying themes of deception and societal issues, others criticize the lack of engaging gameplay and lengthy dialogues. Overall, the experience is heavily story-driven, offering a unique emotional journey despite its limited interactivity.
- “The actual mechanic, in which lies are shown in red and satirical subtitles are shown for interactions, is terrific.”
- “The core mechanic of Little Red Lie is a brilliant bit of conceptual framing; every interaction that you can perform in the game is some kind of lie, and most of the lies encountered in the game are mundane but deeply relatable untruths that the characters tell themselves in order to keep going.”
- “You may not enjoy playing this game, not because it is difficult (very simple gameplay based on interaction with highlighted objects) but because it is uncomfortably true.”
- “First off, there's not a whole lot of actual gameplay here.”
- “There's no gameplay here in any sense of the word, essentially just screens of inane rambling by a writer who thinks themselves far more important than they are.”
- “Good story-based 'game', although most of the gameplay boils down to pressing a button to continue the story.”
emotional
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is deeply impactful, tackling heavy themes such as debt, abuse, and mental health with a blend of humor and poignancy. Players report feeling emotionally drained yet resonated with the life-like characters and complex narratives, which provoke introspection about personal struggles and societal issues. While the gameplay may be slow and dialogues lengthy, the unique emotional experience and thought-provoking storytelling leave a lasting impression.
- “I have never felt so emotionally drained after a game in my life.”
- “I would imagine that creating the game was a very vulnerable experience, just as playing it will undoubtedly be an emotional and resonant experience for many players.”
- “Little Red Lie will drag you through an emotional wringer and leave you asking questions about your own personal resolve to combat the darkest evils of capitalism.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
34%
22%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a mix of stunning artwork and simplistic 2D backgrounds, creating a unique visual experience that enhances the narrative. While the visual presentation shifts between different styles, which can be disorienting, the overall aesthetic is praised for its beauty and ability to connect players to the game's atmosphere. Despite its minimalistic approach, the graphics effectively complement the game's hard-hitting themes and innovative storytelling.
- “The artwork is sparing but gorgeous.”
- “The art style is amazing as well!”
- “An adventure game which is predominantly a visual novel, Little Red Lie offers phenomenal writing and artwork and gets a very strong recommendation to narrative game fans for both its small cost and short, but adequate length.”
- “Graphically, there's not a lot to say about this game.”
- “The visual presentation of the game rotates between three different graphical styles, which can be a little disorienting.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The music in the game is highly praised for its fantastic quality and fitting ambiance, enhancing the overall experience and immersion. While some users noted the absence of voiced dialogues, the soundtrack effectively complements the gameplay, creating a relaxing and engaging atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a standout element that elevates the game's emotional impact.
- “I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
- “Speaking about sound design, dialogues and monologues aren't voiced, but the music is fantastic.”
- “The ambience of the music, accompanied by the rhythmic pauses of the written dialogue, pulled me into each encounter like no page with words ever could.”
- “I like that the game is short, but I think it could have been much longer, and would then justify more art, music, and writing and really move beyond actual sunlight in terms of scale, scope, and value.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is a poignant blend of wit and tragedy, effectively balancing dark themes like depression and financial insecurity with moments of levity through the character of Arthur. Players find themselves laughing one moment and reflecting deeply the next, showcasing the game's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions in a short playtime. Overall, the writing is praised for its touching and humorous approach to serious issues, making it a compelling experience.
- “Despite the dark subject matter, the writing of the game was humorous, touching, and witty, putting a very human face on the very serious problem of depression and suicide.”
- “It's often super depressing (although Arthur's excesses can be very humorous, like I said), so heavy that I was taking 'breaks' although it only takes about 4 hours to finish.”
- “It is this reflection, like being interrogated under spotlights, that had me laughing out loud one minute, to choking back tears the next, to just simply putting the controller down and staring at the basement floor for a while.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The atmosphere of the game is likened to an immersive reading experience, enhanced by visuals, sound, and character movement, which collectively foster a deep connection to the game's setting and world. Reviewers emphasize the game's ability to create a rich and engaging environment that draws players in.
- “The whole atmosphere of this game is captivating.”
- “It's more like reading a book, but you get the benefit of visuals, sound, and moving the main characters, which all help to provide a connection to the setting, atmosphere, and world that the game is portraying.”
- “The whole atmosphere of this game is lacking.”