Locke(d)

About

Locke(d) is a single player action game with drama and mystery themes. It was developed by KigyoDev and was released on January 23, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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92%

Audience ScoreBased on 391 reviews

story10 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game is a short yet thought-provoking visual novel that effectively explores philosophical themes, particularly around free will and existence.
The art style and music create a calming atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience of the game.
As a free game, it offers a unique and engaging narrative that can be completed in a brief play session, making it accessible for casual players.

The game lacks replayability and depth, as it is a linear experience with no meaningful choices or branching paths.
Some players found the philosophical discussions to be superficial or overly simplistic, failing to provide new insights.
The short length may leave some players feeling unsatisfied or wanting more content and interaction.

story
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The game's story is described as short yet thought-provoking, with engaging character design and immersive storytelling that draws players in. While some reviews highlight its philosophical themes and meaningful choices, others note a lack of depth and clarity in the overall message. Overall, the narrative is appreciated for its captivating visuals and emotional resonance, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of interactive storytelling, despite some critiques regarding its brevity and simplicity.
- “This game proves story is what matters the most in a game.”
- “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.”
- “I have not caught enough significant plot points to understand a huge twist from a short game, but how you go through the game is still interesting.”
- “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
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
26%
16%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a haunting soundtrack that complements the storytelling. Reviewers note that the single track by Darius Gourdine effectively sets an eerie yet pleasant tone, contributing to the game's immersive ambiance. Overall, the combination of soothing music and appealing art style creates a relaxing and reflective environment for players.
- “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 [url=https://www.youtube.com/@oscillatingtortoisesound/featured]Darius Gourdine[/url].”
- “The music felt eerie but not unsettling at first, which really worked to this story's credit.”
- “Locke(d) is an interesting game, because at a surface level, it doesn't present itself as anything mind-boggling or groundbreaking, considering it's just an anime visual novel that talks about human principles and what we consider freedom, but the way it's presented to you and the way it's told is what makes up for an amazing experience. The uncanny feeling of the room, with that eerie music playing whilst you slowly grasp understanding of what's happening, makes for such a different experience.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
85%
15%
The graphics of "locke(d)" are widely praised for their stunning artwork and beautiful character designs, which enhance the immersive storytelling experience. Reviewers highlight the polished visuals and charming art style, noting that the game's aesthetics contribute significantly to its overall appeal and relaxing atmosphere. The combination of engaging visuals and a haunting soundtrack creates a captivating environment that resonates with players.
- “Character artwork is beautiful, and the touch of adding a blinking animation was a superb one!”
- “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.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its excellent art and ambient music, creating a thought-provoking and immersive experience. Players appreciate the short, mysterious nature of the visual novel, which is enhanced by soothing background music that complements its philosophical themes. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both engaging and reflective, making it a standout feature.
- “The art, music, and overall atmosphere are excellent.”
- “Locke(d) is a short, mysterious, and atmospheric visual novel with brief point-and-click segments.”
- “The background music is soothing and absorbing into the atmosphere around you.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The gameplay of locke(d) is generally considered solid, featuring seamless mechanics and high production values, though some users find it somewhat lacking. The experience is enhanced by polished visuals and a haunting soundtrack, making the brief 10-20 minute playtime worthwhile.
- “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!”
- “Gameplay was a little bit weak.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
67%
The game has minimal replayability due to its short duration and lack of varied endings based on player choices, which limits the incentive to play again.
- “The multiple endings based on your choices make this game incredibly replayable.”
- “Each playthrough offers new experiences and outcomes, keeping the game fresh and exciting.”
- “The variety of paths and decisions ensures that no two runs are the same, enhancing replayability.”
- “There's virtually no replayability; the experience is short but good. What else can I say?”
- “If the ending depended on the order of your choices, this game would be more replayable.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the intricate plot and rich character development, noting that the character design is enjoyable and contributes positively to the overall experience. The game's presentation effectively engages newcomers, enhancing the immersive atmosphere with good music and a well-crafted mood.
- “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.”
- “Anyway, the super short story and character design were nice to experience, and the developer book was a very fun read.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
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 experienced multiple glitches that ruined my gameplay experience.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game profoundly emotional, often experiencing philosophical crises and shifts in perspective within a brief playtime. Its ability to evoke deep feelings about freedom and the human experience is praised, with many expressing a desire for more games that explore such impactful themes. The emotional weight of the choices presented also highlights the tension between rationality and emotional response.
- “I love this game; it's very short, but something about it just 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.”