Manifest 99

Manifest 99's story and visuals carries it quite far, even if the short running time and lack of gameplay put a bit of a brake on things.

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Manifest 99 is a Virtual Reality experience that takes you on a journey through the afterlife on a mysterious train inhabited by crows. Using gaze-based navigation, you'll move between perches, uncovering secrets about your travel companions and seeking redemption. The game features a unique visual style and is played without a controller, providing an immersive and eerie atmosphere.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 99 reviews

story30 positive mentions

optimization2 negative mentions

The game is a beautifully crafted short experience that evokes strong emotions and features stunning visuals and music.
It offers a unique storytelling approach through gaze-controlled pacing, making it feel more like an interactive movie than a traditional game.
Despite its short length of around 20-30 minutes, it manages to deliver a poignant narrative that resonates with players.

Many players feel that the experience is overpriced for its short duration and lack of traditional gameplay elements.
Some reviewers noted that the lack of interactivity and dialogue may leave players feeling disconnected from the story and characters.
The experience is very brief, leading to concerns about replay value and whether it justifies the cost compared to other available VR content.

story
63 mentions
48 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The story of Manifest 99 is a brief yet emotionally impactful experience, lasting around 20-30 minutes, that combines stylish visuals and music to convey themes of redemption and connection. While some players found the narrative engaging and thought-provoking, others criticized its brevity and pacing, which left little room for character development. Overall, it is appreciated for its artistic presentation, though opinions vary on the depth and clarity of the story itself.
- “Stylish visuals aged very well and the story is simple yet touching.”
- “The art style and sound design are top-notch, and the story made me tear up a little.”
- “An emotional story with an unexpected twist.”
- “Expect around 30 minutes of playtime; you don't really act, it's rather you follow a story that you slowly gather the pieces of while you follow the path that the environment shows to you.”
- “There is no story; it's very badly optimized (you'll often find yourself inside walls), and it's insanely short.”
- “I mean, it's very visually appealing from the screenshots; however, the way the pacing and story take off leaves you no time to connect with any of the characters in any meaningful way.”
graphics
25 mentions
56 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stylish and well-aged art style, complemented by top-notch sound design that enhances the emotional storytelling. While some reviews note occasional clumsiness in execution, the overall quality is considered high, with many reviewers rating the visuals around 8.5/10. The combination of compelling visuals and music effectively conveys a touching narrative, despite some critiques regarding the clarity of the story.
- “Stylish visuals aged very well and the story is simple yet touching.”
- “The art style and sound design are top-notch, and the story made me tear up a little.”
- “Quality is top notch, graphics and sound are great.”
- “A pretentious 20-30 minute VR movie that has a decent minimalistic art style and uninvolved story.”
- “Manifest 99's story and visuals carry it quite far, even if the short running time and lack of gameplay put a bit of a brake on things.”
- “A friend had told me about this game and how it was quite good for only 15 minutes, and that it was a 'test for how well your headset could deal with tears' and I completely doubted him but was still curious thanks to the art style.”
gameplay
17 mentions
24 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Manifest 99 is minimal, with many users noting a lack of traditional mechanics such as movement and dialogue, leading to a score of 2/10. While the gaze mechanic and artistic elements are appreciated, the experience is more about immersion than interactive gameplay, making it unsuitable for those seeking a conventional gaming experience. Overall, it is described as more of an artistic experience than a game.
- “For the best experience, I highly recommend not to watch any gameplay videos beforehand.”
- “Loved the art very much, and the gaze mechanic with the crows really worked well.”
- “An lastly, there is the stare mechanic which is nice but could have been much more, I think.”
- “For that reason, gameplay is pretty much non-existent, but as I previously said, this is more an experience than a game.”
- “Gameplay 2/10”
- “Will not be for those who are looking for gameplay or wanting the most bang for their buck.”
emotional
16 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its emotional depth, with players describing it as a touching and poignant experience that elicits strong feelings, including tears. Its simple yet impactful story, combined with stylish visuals, creates a memorable and introspective journey that resonates deeply, making it a must-play despite its short length. Overall, it successfully prompts players to reflect on personal and broader themes, enhancing its emotional impact.
- “That was a solid and emotional trip of a VR experience.”
- “This game is so emotionally impactful and just generally a must-have for such a short game.”
- “An emotional story with an unexpected twist.”
music
16 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the fantastic soundtrack that effectively sets the tone and enhances the overall experience. The combination of beautiful visuals and a compelling musical score creates a captivating atmosphere, contributing significantly to the storytelling and emotional depth of the game. Overall, the music is described as phenomenal, perfectly complementing the art and narrative.
- “The soundtrack was fantastic and really set the tone for the whole thing.”
- “The visuals and music worked well together to tell a compelling short story about redemption.”
- “Excellent music and of course beautiful art!”
optimization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with players frequently encountering glitches such as getting stuck inside walls. Additionally, the overall experience is criticized for being extremely short and lacking a narrative.
- “There is no story, it's very badly optimized (you'll often find yourself inside walls), it's insanely short.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is predominantly described as gloomy, which may evoke discomfort for some players. This pervasive mood contributes to a tense and unsettling experience throughout the gameplay.
- “The game creates a truly gloomy atmosphere that can make some players feel a bit uncomfortable.”
- “The game has a gloomy atmosphere that might make some players feel a bit uncomfortable.”
- “The overall atmosphere is quite gloomy, which could be unsettling for some.”