Monorail Stories
- September 29, 2022
- Stelex Software
"Monorail Stories" is a narrative-driven game that follows the lives of two commuters, Silvie and Ahmal, who travel between the Cities of M and L via the Monorail Transit System. Through daily interactions on the monorail, players can influence the characters' relationships and create unique stories based on their choices. The game takes place above the Bay, providing a picturesque backdrop to the unfolding events.
Reviews
- The game features charming pixel art and a soothing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- The voice acting is well done, adding emotional depth to the characters and their interactions.
- There are multiple endings and branching options, providing replayability and opportunities to explore different storylines.
- The gameplay can feel slow and repetitive, with limited interaction and a lack of engaging puzzles.
- There is no save feature, requiring players to replay the entire game to explore different choices and endings.
- The dialogue often feels unnatural and forced, detracting from the overall storytelling experience.
- story16 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized as simple yet emotionally engaging, with players forming attachments to the characters despite some criticisms of its pacing and depth. While the narrative features branching options and encourages reflection through meaningful dialogue, many feel that choices have limited impact on the overall plot, leading to a somewhat repetitive experience. Additionally, the portrayal of political themes is seen as naive, raising questions about the writer's intentions and the story's execution.
“The story is simple but good, and I feel emotionally attached to the characters.”
“Through engaging storytelling and meaningful dialogue options, the game encourages deep conversations and reflections on life's joys and challenges.”
“This is mostly a character-driven story about their daily lives; the conversations you have on the train with people you know only from sharing a commute with them, the funny/heart-warming situations they find themselves in.”
“If there is a plot this whole thing is developing into, it's taking its sweet time to show up... kind of like real trains.”
“So repetitive, your choices barely change the main plot and different endings are so short, just a couple of new texts.”
“The political conflict which unfurls in the background is also so naively described that I wonder if the story writer behind this game just wanted to push his agenda or rather rushed the story to meet some deadline.”
- emotional9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Monorail Stories" is highlighted by its simple yet impactful narrative that fosters deep connections between players and characters. The game offers a heartwarming cooperative experience, encouraging meaningful conversations and shared moments that celebrate empathy and human connection, ultimately leaving players with a profound appreciation for compassion.
“The story is simple but good, and I feel emotionally attached to the characters.”
“This indie gem takes you on a touching journey aboard a monorail, where you'll encounter diverse characters, engage in heartfelt conversations, and navigate life's ups and downs together.”
“If you're seeking a poignant and introspective online cooperative experience, Monorail Stories is a heartfelt journey that will leave you and your friend with a renewed appreciation for the power of compassion and shared experiences.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally well-received, with many praising the retro pixel art style and overall visual design, which fits the side-scrolling genre. However, some users noted significant graphical glitches that detract from the experience, suggesting that while the visuals are appealing, they are not without flaws.
“The graphics are perfectly okay for what they are; retro pixel art in a side-scrolling game, but that's a design choice, and not criticizing on that score.”
“I like the concept, has nice voices, music, and graphics.”
“I like the art style and the voice acting.”
- music6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its excellent quality, soothing nature, and ability to enhance the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the immersive and contemplative atmosphere it creates, with many noting that it serves as effective background music that complements the dialogue and graphics.
“The soothing soundtrack further enhances the experience, immersing you in a reflective and contemplative mood.”
“I like the concept; it has nice voices, music, and graphics.”
“The soundtrack is relaxed and non-intrusive.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily focused on cooperative narrative choices and character connections, but it lacks engaging mechanics, such as puzzles or well-implemented dialogue options, which detracts from the overall experience.
“The cooperative gameplay allows you and your friend to make choices, shape the narrative, and forge connections that transcend the virtual world.”
“Don't expect any puzzles or gameplay.”
“Even the mechanics of choosing the dialogue options are poorly implemented.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability, attributed to its likable characters and multiple endings, encouraging players to experience the adventure multiple times.
“The characters are likable, and it's definitely got tons of replay value.”
“A short adventure game with high replayability due to the many different endings you can achieve.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Monorail Stories is enhanced by its charming pixel art and immersive backgrounds, creating a visually captivating experience for players.
“Visually, Monorail Stories captivates with its charming pixel art and atmospheric backgrounds.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is notably poor, with frequent graphical glitches undermining the visual appeal, which is the only positive aspect highlighted by users. This raises concerns about the overall quality and reliability of the game experience.
“Visuals are the only good thing here, which is already a big red flag for a point-and-click game if this is the main positive aspect. Even that wasn't executed well, as there are graphical glitches everywhere.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced constant lag and frame drops, which ruined the overall experience.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely character-driven, focusing on relatable, everyday interactions and amusing situations that arise during the characters' daily commutes. Players appreciate the blend of humor and heartwarming moments that stem from these shared experiences.
“This is mostly a character-driven story about their daily lives; the conversations you have on the train with people you know only from sharing a commute with them, the funny and heartwarming situations they find themselves in.”
“The humor in this game is spot on, blending clever dialogue with absurd situations that keep you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the characters' quirky personalities shine through in their interactions, making even the most mundane moments hilarious.”