Little Red Lie

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 95 reviews

story18 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The writing is exceptionally well-crafted, providing a deep and thought-provoking narrative that tackles heavy themes such as debt, mental illness, and societal expectations.
The game offers a unique perspective on the human condition, exploring the lives of two contrasting characters in a way that feels relatable and impactful.
Despite its bleakness, the game is engaging and keeps players invested in the story, often leading to moments of genuine emotional reflection.

The gameplay is minimal, often reducing the experience to reading long passages of text with little player agency, which may not appeal to those looking for traditional gameplay mechanics.
The narrative can be overwhelmingly dark and nihilistic, potentially alienating players who prefer more uplifting or hopeful stories.
Some players may find the pacing slow and the frequent use of text-heavy sequences frustrating, leading to a disconnect from the characters and their experiences.

story
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The game's story is a complex and often bleak exploration of societal flaws, mental health, and the impact of financial struggles, resonating deeply with players. While some found the narrative gripping and thought-provoking, others criticized its pacing and the execution of certain character arcs, particularly the ending. Overall, it is praised for its rich writing and ability to provoke reflection, making it a compelling experience for those who appreciate story-driven games.
- “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.”
- “But above all, the game tells a story about a deeply flawed society, where the need to meet expectations of society exceeds individual needs, at an astronomical price.”
- “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.”
- “Every new turn of the story brought more excruciating hopelessness.”
- “And because you get inner monologue, which is basically just the creator's pseudo-philosophical ramblings every 5 seconds or so, you don't really get to appreciate the story even though the story is, frankly, quite dull.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity, primarily involving walking around and interacting with objects, which some players find monotonous. While it serves as a vehicle for a dark, narrative-driven experience filled with lengthy dialogues and emotional depth, many reviewers note the lack of traditional gameplay elements and linearity, leading to a perception of it as more of an interactive story than a game. Overall, it offers a unique, albeit uncomfortable, exploration of societal issues, appealing primarily to those who appreciate narrative over mechanics.
- “The game's simple mechanics are very effective at conveying a sense of lack of control, and conveying the dark disparity between the internal and external dialogues.”
- “Gameplay is simple; you walk around, interact with some objects around you, and lie about it.”
- “This game (or 'interactive story,' which is more accurate, since the only gameplay is wandering around interacting with things) is a brutally, unflinchingly honest dose of truth about what's broken in society.”
- “The gameplay might seem a bit boring and the dialogues too long, but it's still a unique emotional experience with very life-like characters and a twisted plot.”
- “Good story-based 'game', although most of the gameplay boils down to pressing a button to continue the story.”
- “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.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its exploration of heavy themes such as debt, abuse, and mental health, creating a deeply impactful experience that can leave players feeling drained. While the narrative is dark and often sad, it is also infused with humor and wit, presenting a realistic portrayal of serious issues without condescension. Overall, players describe it as an unforgettable emotional journey that challenges conventional storytelling.
- “I have never felt so emotionally drained after a game in my life.”
- “It's genuinely touching and sometimes sad, but it never panders or treats the player as an idiot.”
- “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.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
13%
38%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist yet stunning art style, featuring 2D backgrounds and striking artwork that enhances the narrative experience. While the visuals may be sparse, they effectively contribute to the game's atmosphere and emotional depth, making it a unique and thought-provoking experience. Overall, the graphics complement the game's hard-hitting narrative, appealing particularly to fans of narrative-driven titles.
- “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.”
- “It's definitely not one for the faint of heart with its hard-hitting narrative, and I think it should come with a trigger warning because of some of its more graphic scenes.”
- “Although it can be hard to actually physically play at times, due to its aforementioned graphic content, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for its overall experience.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in the game is highly praised for its fantastic quality and fitting ambiance, enhancing the overall experience and immersion during encounters. While the absence of voiced dialogues is noted, the soundtrack effectively compensates, creating a captivating atmosphere that draws players in. Some users express a desire for more content to further showcase the music and art.
- “The music is fantastic.”
- “Nice soundtrack.”
- “The music is also very fitting to the game.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is described as a blend of wit and tragedy, effectively addressing serious themes like depression and suicide while still eliciting laughter. Players find themselves oscillating between moments of genuine hilarity and deep emotional reflection, making for a uniquely impactful experience that balances lightheartedness with heavy subject matter.
- “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.”