My Memory of Us
- October 10, 2018
- Juggler Games
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
"My Memory of Us" is a narrative-driven, side-scrolling game that explores a friendship between two children in a World War II-inspired setting. Players switch between the perspectives of the pair, using their unique abilities to solve puzzles and evade guards in an effort to stay together. The game features hand-drawn animations and a painterly style, immersing players in a somber tale of love, loss, and hope.
Reviews
- The game features a beautifully touching story that effectively conveys the horrors of World War II through a child's perspective, making it suitable for younger audiences.
- The art style is charming and visually appealing, with a unique black and white aesthetic that highlights important elements in red.
- The puzzles are well-designed, providing a good mix of challenge without being overly difficult, and the narration by Patrick Stewart adds depth to the experience.
- The gameplay mechanics can feel clunky and frustrating at times, particularly with character controls and the lack of a save feature.
- Some players found the puzzles to be disconnected from the narrative, leading to a sense of ludonarrative dissonance.
- The game may not fully address the gravity of its subject matter, with some critics feeling that the 'cute' presentation undermines the seriousness of the Holocaust.
- story230 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game's story is a poignant and touching retelling of the Holocaust, framed through the innocent perspectives of children amidst the horrors of World War II. While the narrative is beautifully crafted and enhanced by stunning visuals and Patrick Stewart's narration, some players feel it lacks depth in gameplay mechanics, leading to a disconnect between the story and the puzzles. Overall, the story is regarded as the standout feature, offering a compelling emotional experience despite some criticisms of its execution.
“The story is both charming and predictable, capturing the essence of childhood innocence amidst the horrors of war.”
“A beautiful little story about the real events of World War II but told in a way to make it more of a parable so it's not so sad that you cannot continue.”
“The story told in this game is presented wonderfully both from the perspective of its naive and hopeful protagonists as well as its in-universe intended audience, lending to a gripping presentation of the real emotions that were present both during the events of Poland in the Second World War as well as the world that was changed after their occurrence.”
“Where it really lost me, however, is in the disconnect between the story it tells (about the persecution of Polish Jews during WWII) and the gameplay.”
“It is just unfortunate that the story did not follow through on giving players a complete parable of the events, changing the subject the moment they got too close to the most insidious aspect of the story.”
“A great narrative experience, which tragically limits itself in the end and feels unfinished both as a story and as a game.”
- graphics73 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and whimsical art style, which effectively enhances the narrative and emotional impact of the story. Reviewers highlight the charming, cartoonish visuals that balance cuteness with poignant themes, making it accessible for younger audiences while still addressing serious subjects. Overall, the artistic design is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere and storytelling.
“The art style is delightful, with a whimsical yet poignant design that enhances the story's impact.”
“The graphics are gorgeous and the story is heartwarming and heartbreaking.”
“Beautifully artistic game, where the gameplay, story, and art style all come together to create a moving and compelling experience.”
“At first you may be disappointed with the graphics.”
“Neat idea and art style, but didn't deliver in terms of being a game in my opinion.”
“It feels less like the story is trying to be child-friendly at that point so much as it just wasn't brave enough to go all the way with the parable; which could have gone all the way without being too graphic.”
- emotional64 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its emotional depth, with many players noting its touching narrative and beautiful art style that effectively convey a heartfelt story, particularly in the context of World War II. Reviewers highlight moments that evoke strong feelings, including tears at the ending, and appreciate the balance of whimsy and gravity in its themes. Overall, it is described as a powerful and engaging experience that resonates deeply with players.
“An incredibly touching story of... being human.”
“I also believe that this is the first time a video game has actually brought actual tears to my eyes, which only proves the beauty, sadness, and heart-wrenching realism of this incredible experience.”
“This is a beautiful, yet heartbreaking, game set before and during the start of World War II.”
- gameplay64 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily puzzle-based, featuring a mix of easy to moderate challenges that encourage problem-solving without trial-and-error frustration. While some players appreciate the innovative mechanics, such as the hand-holding feature that allows characters to cooperate, others feel there is a disconnect between the gameplay and the narrative, leading to a less engaging experience. Overall, the gameplay is described as simple yet enjoyable, with a focus on storytelling rather than complex mechanics.
“Gameplay revolves around solving various types of puzzles to progress.”
“The gameplay is also fun and brisk with just the right mix of reflex and puzzle solving.”
“Beyond puzzles, there are a decent amount of unique gameplay sequences as well as some stealth, which gives the game a nice variety, keeping it fresh throughout the whole experience.”
“Where it really lost me, however, is in the disconnect between the story it tells (about the persecution of Polish Jews during WWII) and the gameplay.”
“Most puzzle mechanics are not motivated by the plot at all and seem to be pretty random.”
“The story is by far the strongest aspect of the game over the agreeable but not amazing gameplay.”
- music30 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth, with a beautiful soundtrack that complements both joyful and somber moments. However, some players noted that there are significant periods of silence, which detracts from the overall experience, particularly during challenging puzzles. Overall, the score is considered a vital element that enriches the gameplay and narrative.
“The musical score fits the atmosphere perfectly, and the voiceover in cutscenes is very appropriate, adding depth and emotion to the narrative.”
“Besides the story, the visuals and music are absolutely mesmerizing, and the innovative gameplay makes the game stand on its own.”
“The music was very well done and captured the sadness and hopelessness of certain scenes as well as the happiness and joy of other scenes.”
“There's a lot of dead silence as far as the soundtrack goes, which just further brings down the atmosphere of those oppressive puzzles.”
“Soundtrack is very awesome.”
“In a game such as this, the music is very important and the one here works.”
- atmosphere18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its fitting musical score and effective voiceovers, which enhance the emotional depth of the narrative. Reviewers note that the atmosphere successfully conveys a mix of sadness and hope, although some mention moments of silence that can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the combination of graphics, music, and storytelling creates a compelling and immersive environment.
“The musical score fits the atmosphere perfectly, and the voiceover in cutscenes is very appropriate, adding depth and emotion to the narrative.”
“The atmosphere of the game was very good and helped with this feeling of sadness, but also hope.”
“There's a lot of dead silence as far as the soundtrack goes, which just further brings down the atmosphere of those oppressive puzzles.”
“The music was really good and helped with the game’s mood and atmosphere.”
“It changes with the situation in the game world, building an emotional atmosphere.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of heartwarming and funny moments that maintain a balance between lightheartedness and the gravity of its themes, reminiscent of classic Disney slapstick. This approach effectively engages younger audiences while allowing them to connect with deeper, more serious subjects without feeling overwhelmed. Overall, the humor is both entertaining and thought-provoking, providing a sobering yet uplifting experience.
“It's narrative and art style (both of which are marvelous, I must say) disconnects the world of the game enough from reality to not make it too depressing or disturbing for youngsters, which is alleviated by some comical moments that are both heartwarming and funny, but never too facetious for the setting.”
“This is more my speed; it reminds me of the old Disney black and white cartoons with the slapstick humor.”
“Funny but sobering and sometimes sad, though it's not hard to find the happiness.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding in the game to be manageable and engaging, particularly due to the effective use of dual protagonists that keeps the experience fresh. However, some users note that there are tedious sections and frustrating control issues that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
“The grinding sections feel tedious and are often interrupted by irritating control quirks.”
“The game has moments of grinding that can become quite frustrating.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers a casual and accessible experience, allowing players to engage with themes of fear and sadness without confronting the harsh realities of war directly, which enhances its replayability.
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide relevant information regarding the game's optimization, focusing instead on Patrick Stewart's performance. Therefore, no specific insights about optimization can be summarized from the provided text.