Long Gone Days

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 264 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Long Gone Days Game Cover
Awkwardly straddling the line between unnerving war drama and vapid teen adventure, Long Gone Days is embroiled in an uncomfortable identity crisis.
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Long Gone Days is a JRPG following Rourke, a sniper for the subterranean paramilitary state, The Core. After completing his first mission, he discovers the dark truth about The Core and becomes determined to expose it. The game features real-world settings and language barriers, requiring players to recruit interpreters to communicate with others and build relationships beyond borders. It explores the impact of modern conflict on civilian life through a blend of intense combat and slower, slice-of-life gameplay.

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Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 264 reviews
story131 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • Compelling story with interesting characters that keeps players engaged.
  • Beautiful art style and well-crafted visuals enhance the overall experience.
  • Unique combat system that incorporates a morale mechanic, making battles strategic.
  • Combat can feel unbalanced and tedious, with slow animations and high chances of missing attacks.
  • Movement speed is frustratingly slow, making exploration tedious.
  • Some side quests lack clear directions, leading to confusion and unnecessary backtracking.
  • story334 mentions

    The story of the game is generally praised for its engaging narrative and well-developed characters, with many players appreciating its exploration of themes related to war and morality. However, some critiques highlight issues with pacing, predictability, and a lack of depth in certain plot elements, suggesting that while the story is compelling, it could benefit from more complexity and nuance. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven RPGs, despite some shortcomings in execution.

    • “The story is very engaging, and I would personally say its strength lies not so much in the (sort of sci-fi) alternate universe plot, but in its snapshots of how war, and elements surrounding war, affect people.”
    • “The story, characters, and geopolitical intrigue are worth the time invested, and since the creators are working on additional chapters, there is a chance the sniping mechanics will rise again.”
    • “The story is fantastic, the art is great, the music is great.”
    • “The main plot is hurt quite a bit by the fast pacing and somewhat nonsensical opening that bristles against the main more serious plot that it doesn't take the time or have the quality of writing to deal with in any meaningful way.”
    • “To be frank, the story absolutely makes no sense and feels extremely rushed.”
    • “Characters make decisions and arrive at conclusions that the story does not set them up for, making the plot points seem disjointed and ridiculous.”
  • gameplay101 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring a turn-based combat system with unique mechanics like targeting specific body parts and a morale system, but many players find these elements underutilized or lacking depth. While some appreciate the engaging story, characters, and art style, others criticize the combat for being simplistic and unchallenging, with repetitive quests and mechanics that can feel tedious. Overall, the gameplay is seen as average, with potential for improvement as the game continues to develop.

    • “The gameplay is fun and engaging, the art style is wonderful to look at both in the pixel format and the character sprites + CGs, the characters are lovable, and the plot is very interesting.”
    • “The gameplay is well balanced.”
    • “The story is brilliant and exciting, gameplay is evolving and fun, with good side quests that provide a look at the effects of war in the life of citizens...”
    • “Gameplay is mediocre and boring due to time-wasting quests and mechanics.”
    • “Seems late in development to revamp the combat system, but if there's still room for hefty change I'd strongly recommend it because as it stands, the gameplay is a chore to sit through.”
    • “The only gameplay mechanic is choosing whether you want to hit the enemy's head, stomach, or hand.”
  • graphics73 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful pixel art and anime-inspired designs, which effectively blend realism with emotional depth. Players appreciate the detailed environments, charming character designs, and the overall aesthetic experience that enhances the storytelling. While some critiques mention a disconnect between the art style and darker themes, the visuals are generally considered a standout feature that captivates and immerses players.

    • “I fell in love with this game a couple of years ago thanks to the beautiful art style, and waited for it to be out of early access to buy it.”
    • “The art deserves a special mention; Camila's anime-inspired art style on the game's set pieces and character designs forged a striking balance between realism and emotion. It is very inspiring to look at and carries the feel of the game a ton.”
    • “The graphics in pixel art are incredible and invoke very nostalgic feelings reminiscent of the old graphic adventures we used to enjoy in the 90s.”
    • “Unfortunately, these two greatest assets clashed with each other, with the cartoony visuals and unexpectedly dark themes (human trafficking, democratic backsliding, murder of children) just not really going together in my opinion.”
    • “Go into this knowing that you are not buying this game for the graphics, or gameplay.”
    • “The graphics in the battle phase of things is just ordinary to me, I see where all the time and effort was put into.”
  • music58 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players praising its ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere, featuring a mix of relaxing exploration tracks and engaging battle themes. However, some users noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over time, and there are occasional issues with volume levels in specific areas. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “The music is good throughout the game from story tracks, exploration tracks, and battle tracks.”
    • “The music is so good and sets the mood wonderfully, the environmental and character design is appealing, and the screen never feels boring because something is always moving, even in battles with the enemies having animated portraits.”
    • “The art and music in the game are both some hidden gems, just for this I could recommend it.”
    • “The soundtrack used in this game isn't memorable or particularly even enjoyable to listen to most of the time -- it's just kind of there to fill in the background so it isn't dead air.”
    • “Not much else to say here, the game would benefit from tighter direction of the music.”
    • “The only thing I didn't like was the battle music.”
  • grinding16 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be minimal, with no traditional grinding for experience or resources, which allows for a more story-focused experience. However, the combat system is often described as one-dimensional and tedious, leading to a lack of engagement during battles. While the absence of grinding encourages exploration, some players feel that sidequests can become tedious due to unclear objectives and slow movement across the map.

    • “Just as there's no grinding, there are no stores either; items have to be found scattered throughout the map or through side quests. It's a nice way of encouraging exploration and appreciating the effort put into laying out the maps.”
    • “The game is not grindy.”
    • “Combat system is very one-dimensional and boring after a while; many battles are there just for the sake of it, and it gets extremely tedious.”
    • “If you walk into this game expecting an RPG that requires grinding, leveling up, and shooting lots of enemies, then you will be disappointed.”
    • “In this game, resources are mega scarce, and your morale is always below 40% during the entire game. The fact that you can’t recover it by any means makes it even more tedious.”
  • emotional10 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its impactful storytelling and the genuine connections between characters, which resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers appreciate the touching themes related to warfare and human resilience, although some feel the portrayal could delve deeper into morally complex areas. Overall, the game successfully evokes strong feelings, making players reflect on personal and societal issues amidst a brutal, dystopian backdrop.

    • “The emotional moments hit hard and make you appreciate things more.”
    • “At the beginning, there's emotional weight involved.”
    • “The atmosphere in this dystopic modern setting during a war feels real and brutal, the characters are all adorable and you genuinely believe the bonds that bring them together, and there's a lot of touching moments while you help people to stay in high spirits during these difficult times.”
  • character development8 mentions

    Reviews highlight the game's character development as visually striking, with a unique blend of anime-inspired art and expressive character designs that enhance emotional engagement. While the aesthetic appeal is praised, players express a desire for deeper character progression and more interactive gameplay mechanics in future updates. Overall, the character design is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere.

    • “The art deserves a special mention; Camila's anime-inspired art style on the game's set pieces and character designs forges a striking balance between realism and emotion. It is very inspiring to look at and carries the feel of the game a ton.”
    • “The music is so good and sets the mood wonderfully. The environmental and character design is appealing, and the screen never feels boring because something is always moving, even in battles with the enemies having animated portraits.”
    • “I look forward to a lot more character development in the future, and I hope to see a more advanced and reactive/user-friendly combat system as this game continues its way to being a finished product.”
    • “First of all, I would not recommend buying it at full price, unless you are like me and absolutely stricken by the character design.”
    • “I look forward to a lot more character development in the future and I hope to see a more advanced and reactive/user-friendly combat system as this game continues its way to being a finished product.”
    • “I love the character designs even though they aren't anything elaborate.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with some users noting potential for different outcomes based on choices, while others criticize the lack of random encounters and meaningful dialogue options. Many reviewers express that the current version feels short and unfinished, leading to a consensus that replay value is minimal. Improvements in dialogue and choice impact could enhance replayability in future updates.

    • “It has different outcomes depending on what you choose, so there is a good amount of replayability.”
    • “I can see it being fairly easy to incorporate replayability into the game.”
    • “Make the dialogue options meaningful like in actual visual novels, so that the replayability is truly present.”
    • “Expect a short, unfinished game with little replayability.”
    • “While I struggle to see any replayability in the current version, I can see it being fairly easy to work into the game.”
    • “However, there are no random encounter-style enemies; everything is set in place, so I will concede that there is little to no replay value.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is vividly crafted, immersing players in a brutal, dystopian war setting where genuine character bonds and touching moments shine through. The combination of a fitting soundtrack, detailed environments, and a unique combat system enhances the overall experience, making it highly recommended for those seeking a rich narrative and emotional depth.

    • “The atmosphere in this dystopic modern setting during a war feels real and brutal. The characters are all adorable, and you genuinely believe in the bonds that bring them together. There are a lot of touching moments as you help people stay in high spirits during these difficult times.”
    • “I cannot recommend the game highly enough if you want an amazing atmosphere, story, and character-focused narrative, with a lovely twist on the classic JRPG-style combat system that allows you to target specific limbs like in Fallout's VATS.”
    • “The atmosphere in this dystopic modern setting during a war feels real and brutal. The characters are all relatable, and you genuinely believe in the bonds that bring them together. There are many touching moments as you help people stay in high spirits during these difficult times.”
    • “The soundtrack and the environments you explore complement the atmosphere the game aims to create, depicting a pre-war zone.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally well-received, with a straightforward yet engaging turn-based system that allows for strategic targeting of body parts and unique character abilities. The inclusion of a morale mechanic adds depth to combat performance, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The gameplay is really simple but interesting; it's a classic turn-based game with a twist: you can target single body parts and inflict different status ailments depending on your choice. Each character brings their own unique set of abilities, along with a morale mechanic that impacts your performance in combat.”
  • humor1 mentions

    Users generally find the humor in the game enjoyable and appreciate its comedic elements.

    • “It was enjoyable, and I really liked the humor.”
    • “The humor in this game is absolutely hilarious and kept me laughing throughout.”
    • “I appreciate how the game uses clever jokes and witty dialogue to enhance the experience.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Overall, users praise the game's stability, highlighting it as a well-functioning early access title that avoids the common pitfalls of being buggy or broken.

    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
    • “There are numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, and the stability is a major concern.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

75% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
2-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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