Locke(d) | Game Brain — video game discovery

Skip to main content

Locke(d) Game Cover

About

An algorithm decided to show you this. What now?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Locke(d) screenshot

Locke(d) screenshot

Locke(d) screenshot

Locke(d) screenshot

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 350 reviews

story10 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

Locke(d) is a short but thought-provoking visual novel that explores philosophical concepts, particularly around free will and determinism.
The game features beautiful artwork and a soothing soundtrack, enhancing the overall immersive experience.
It's free to play and offers a unique narrative that encourages players to reflect on their own perspectives and choices.

The game is extremely short, taking only about 10-30 minutes to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
There are no meaningful choices or interactions, making it feel more like a reading experience than a traditional game.
Some players found the philosophical discussions to be superficial or repetitive, lacking depth in their exploration of the themes.

story
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
54%
11%
The story aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of engaging narratives and philosophical themes, with players appreciating the intricate plot and character development in titles like "locke(d)." While some find the storytelling captivating and meaningful, others note a lack of depth or clarity in the overall message, leading to mixed feelings about its philosophical undertones. Overall, the game offers a visually appealing and immersive experience, though some players desire more interactivity and lore to enhance the narrative.
- “locke(d) is a captivating visual novel that immediately drew me in with its stunning artwork and immersive storytelling.”
- “From the moment I started playing, I found myself engrossed in the intricate plot and rich character development.”
- “With its gripping narrative, memorable characters, and meaningful choices, it's a must-play for fans of interactive storytelling.”
- “This uncertainty - the feeling of not quite knowing what the overall message is - while the game appears to be such a simple story.”
- “However, there is no deep story per se; Locke isn't a regular visual novel.”
- “I guess it's an okay attempt at tricking zoomers into reading a short story, albeit the story itself is lacking.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
28%
17%
The music in locke(d) is widely praised for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the game's storytelling and overall experience. With a single track by Darius Gourdine, the ambient soundscape is described as soothing and eerie, effectively complementing the game's themes and art style. Players appreciate how the music contributes to a reflective and immersive atmosphere, making it a standout aspect of the game.
- “Aside from its compelling storytelling, locke(d) also boasts top-notch production values, with polished visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and seamless gameplay mechanics.”
- “Haven't had a story I actively reflected on afterwards in a good while, and when coupled with a calming art style and really nice music, it makes for a very lovely experience.”
- “The background music is soothing and absorbing into the atmosphere around you.”
- “There is only one music track and that is by Darius Gourdine.”
- “The music felt eerie but not unsettling at first, which really worked to this story's credit.”
- “Very nice painted girl art, not to mention decently fitting background music.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
82%
18%
The graphics of "locke(d)" are widely praised for their stunning artwork and harmonious character and background design, contributing to an immersive storytelling experience. Reviewers highlight the polished visuals and charming art style, which, combined with a haunting soundtrack, create a relaxing and captivating atmosphere. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a significant strength, enhancing its narrative and philosophical themes.
- “locke(d) is a captivating visual novel that immediately drew me in with its stunning artwork and immersive storytelling.”
- “Absolutely stunning from writing to art style.”
- “The artwork is very nice; I quite like the harmonious character and background design.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by excellent art and soothing ambient music that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note its thought-provoking nature, drawing inspiration from John Locke's philosophies, and describe it as both mysterious and immersive, making it a compelling visual novel.
- “The art, music, and overall atmosphere are excellent.”
- “[i]locke(d)[/i] is a thought-provoking and atmospheric visual novel inspired by the philosophies of John Locke.”
- “The background music is soothing and absorbing into the atmosphere around you.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The gameplay of locke(d) is characterized by seamless mechanics and high production values, complemented by polished visuals and a haunting soundtrack. With a concise playtime of 10-20 minutes, it offers a solid experience that enhances its compelling storytelling.
- “Aside from its compelling storytelling, locke(d) also boasts top-notch production values, with polished visuals, a haunting soundtrack, and seamless gameplay mechanics.”
- “I recommend giving this a try, as it is only around 10-20 minutes of gameplay, and I think it is pretty solid!”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game profoundly emotional, often experiencing a philosophical crisis that reshapes their perspectives on life and freedom in a remarkably short playtime. The deep emotional impact and thought-provoking themes resonate strongly, prompting a desire for more games that explore similar emotional depths.
- “I love this game; it's very short, but something about it changed my outlook on many things, like freedom as mentioned by the host, as well as what we are in life. It's very deep for such a short amount of time. It only took 5 minutes, and curiosity was all over the place with this. It's a wonderful game that made me feel different. Thank you for making this; I'd love more philosophical games like this that really touch on an emotional level.”
- “This game gave me a philosophical crisis and some emotional damage.”
- “Even though both scenarios might have a strong emotional drive, the difference in consequences can lead to one giving in or falling to emotion.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the intricate plot and rich character development, noting that it effectively immerses them in the game's world. The overall mood and tone enhance the experience, making it a strong introduction to the material.
- “From the moment I started playing, I found myself engrossed in the intricate plot and rich character development.”
- “The music is good, the character design is acceptable, and the overall mood, tone, and feeling the game creates is very good. If this is an introduction for someone to this material, it's well presented.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game features a compelling story, but players have reported experiencing bugs that affect overall stability.
- “It's a good story, but it's kind of expected and buggy.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it hard to enjoy.”
- “I encountered numerous glitches that disrupted my gameplay experience.”

Buy Locke(d)

Locke(d)
See offer on Steam

Videos

Moe Era Image

85%1.2kreviews

Moe Era

Narcissu 1st & 2nd Image

94%2kreviews

Narcissu 1st & 2nd

Slay the Princess Image

92%22.4kreviews

Slay the Princess

Press Any Button Image

91%1.2kreviews

Press Any Button

A Raven Monologue Image

92%1.1kreviews

A Raven Monologue

One Night Stand Image

89%413reviews

One Night Stand

Casual Simulation

Missed Messages Image

96%10.9kreviews

Missed Messages

Casual Simulation

Subsurface Circular Image

88%2.6kreviews

Subsurface Circular

Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk Image

98%12kreviews

Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk

Emily is Away Image

87%22.5kreviews

Emily is Away

Casual Simulation

Locke(d) Tweets