Mainland
- May 8, 2015
- Vasily Voronkov
- 1h median play time
Get on SteamA text adventure game about a 19th century explorer who finds himself stranded and alone.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and visually appealing parchment-style interface that enhances the immersive experience.
- The writing is well-crafted, with a poetic style that effectively conveys the story's emotional depth.
- As a free game, it offers a short but engaging narrative that can be enjoyed by fans of text adventures and interactive fiction.
- The gameplay can be frustrating due to a restrictive command parser, leading to confusion and requiring players to guess the correct inputs.
- The story is linear and lacks meaningful player agency, making it feel more like a guided reading experience than an interactive game.
- Many players found the game too short and the ending abrupt, leaving them unsatisfied with the overall narrative closure.
- story100 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and beautifully written, while others criticize it for being linear, vague, and lacking emotional depth. Many appreciate the immersive quality of the narrative, though frustrations arise from the restrictive gameplay mechanics that hinder progression and exploration. Overall, while some players enjoyed the simple yet compelling storytelling, others felt it fell short of delivering a satisfying or coherent plot experience.
“Chilled out game with a lovely, endearing story.”
“It's a good story to enhance my English, just like reading a mysterious novel.”
“The story is intriguing too.”
“The backstory that gets slowly revealed to you through flashbacks is equally boring, which was really disappointing for me.”
“The overall writing and story neither compelled me to feel anything for nor form a sympathetic bond with the protagonist.”
“The story was vague, dull, and depressing.”
- music27 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality, atmosphere, and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers noting its evocative and melancholic qualities that complement the narrative. While some found the absence of music at times distracting, the majority appreciated how the soundtrack contributed to the game's immersive and emotional storytelling. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, adding depth and cohesion to the gameplay.
“The soundtrack is quality, relaxing and atmospheric.”
“Music throughout was beautiful, definitely helped the atmosphere.”
“Beautiful music and profound story.”
“The piano pieces support the mood well, though I found it a bit distracting that the music wasn't there all the time nor was it (or other audio) looped properly.”
“I'm not saying this is a bad game, far from it, it's evocative and seemingly will end tragically with the sad, depressing music.”
“The music gives you that 'lonely' feeling.”
- gameplay9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and focus on narrative, offering a short yet engaging adventure that emphasizes emotional connection over traditional gaming mechanics. While some players find the puzzle elements unique and thought-provoking, others express frustration with certain aspects and an unsatisfactory conclusion, suggesting that these elements may be intentional choices by the developer. Overall, the gameplay is a blend of common sense mechanics and a compelling story that resonates with players.
“An interesting story and simple, common sense gameplay, a great, but short adventure.”
“Mainland is a puzzle game that takes your brain and imagination to the new unique gameplay.”
“More a book than anything else, it's not about the guessing game of gameplay, but more about stirring compassion for the narrator's ugly luck and bad decisions; we've all been there at one point or another.”
“A bit frustrating gameplay-wise and pretty unsatisfactory ending... however this seems to be done on purpose, so I guess it was the author's way.”
“The gameplay of this game is something I love.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews on the emotional aspect of the game are mixed; some players found the narrative lacking in emotional depth due to problematic character portrayals and vague storytelling, while others praised it as a touching and immersive experience that effectively evokes a range of emotions. Overall, the game's ability to resonate emotionally varies significantly among players, with some describing it as a beautiful and sad journey, while others felt disconnected and annoyed.
“The story wasn't thrilling or intricate, but that really adds to the game's plot and makes it that much more touching, realistic, and immersive.”
“A very touching, sad but beautiful text adventure.”
“What an emotional roller coaster.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics in this text adventure are minimal, with a focus on background textures that enhance the storytelling rather than dominate the experience. While some users appreciate the visual aesthetic as a complement to the writing, others feel there is too little visual content for their liking. Overall, the game prioritizes narrative over graphical presentation, making it less suitable for those seeking a visually rich experience.
“Aside from the convincing writing style, both the visual aesthetic and soundtrack really help make the mainland feel like an authentic 19th-century story.”
“The visuals – what little there is, mostly just the background texture – are a nice touch, a cherry on top of a delicious cake.”
“And just to be very clear, as a text adventure, there's no voice acting or pretty graphics.”
“Too much reading, not enough visuals for my taste.”
“Do not play if you are impatient or all about 'graphics'.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its quality soundtrack, which is both relaxing and beautifully composed, enhancing the overall mood. Reviewers highlight the fantastic and immersive ambiance as one of the game's strongest features, noting its well-written and intriguing elements that contribute to a captivating experience.
“The atmosphere and mood were fantastic and I think they are the strongest points of the game.”
“Music throughout was beautiful, definitely helped the atmosphere.”
“It's very well-written and atmospheric, moody and interesting.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect to be extremely tedious and often necessary for story progression, with some suggesting that a second life may be needed to manage it effectively. While it can be frustrating, some still appreciate the overall experience despite the grind.
“Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Extremely tedious and essentially impossible to actually progress the story without a walkthrough.”
“A little tedious but awesome.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as both funny and interactive, with players engaging by imagining character actions and typing responses. Additionally, the music complements the comedic elements, enhancing the overall experience.
“You have to imagine what the character will do under such conditions, and you type words to continue the game. It's very funny and interactive!”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever writing that keeps you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that catch you off guard.”
