Next of Kin

About

Next of Kin is a single player action adventure game. It was developed by Spelkväll Games and was released on August 29, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Thomas and Martha decide to move to Mjolkebo, a peaceful village in the countryside. Everything seems fine until one day when Thomas wakes up and makes a horrifying discovery - Martha is gone. Next of Kin is an emotional cinematic 2D game that follows Thomas's endeavors to find his lost wife, Martha. Key Features: * An emotional story that deals with both light-hearted and serious subjects * An …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

story15 positive mentions

The game features a compelling and well-written story that effectively tackles themes of mental health.
The atmospheric music and pixel-art visuals enhance the overall experience, creating a cozy and immersive environment.
Despite its short length, the game is well worth the price and offers a memorable emotional journey.

The gameplay is very basic, with minimal interaction and puzzles, which may not appeal to all players.
Some players found the story's structure to be disjointed, with sudden shifts that detracted from the overall narrative flow.
There are minor bugs and inconsistencies that could benefit from further polish and refinement.

story
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
22%
13%
The game's story is widely praised for its emotional depth and atmospheric setting, effectively addressing themes of mental health and personal struggles. While many players appreciate the gripping narrative and its blend of horror and comedy, some express concerns about its pacing and structure, feeling that certain story elements, like the theme of miscarriage, are overshadowed. Overall, it is considered a must-play for fans of story-driven experiences, despite some mixed feelings about its execution.
- “Lovely short story about mental health.”
- “Great story, a somber and melancholy vibe/atmosphere, and fantastic music.”
- “The pixel-art Swedish countryside setting and atmospheric music is a perfect framework for this gripping story that does not shy away from tackling tough topics.”
- “What I feel really mixed on is the story and its structure.”
- “And despite being short, it jumps from one chunk of the story to another pretty suddenly with an odd flow.”
- “So when the story then flipped and became all about Thomas struggling with psychosis, I felt disappointed.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is widely praised for its fitting and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the somber and gripping narrative. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as fantastic and well-suited to the pixel-art setting, contributing significantly to the overall experience. While some dialogues may be cringy, the music remains a standout element that complements the story beautifully.
- “Interesting game, nice short story, and nice soundtrack.”
- “Great story, a somber and melancholy vibe/atmosphere, and fantastic music.”
- “The pixel-art Swedish countryside setting and atmospheric music is a perfect framework for this gripping story that is not refraining from tackling tough topics.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its somber and melancholic vibe, enhanced by fantastic music and a compelling mix of horror and comedy. Reviewers highlight the cozy yet thrilling setting, which complements the engaging storytelling and mysterious plot, making it a must-buy for fans of atmospheric narratives.
- “Great story, a somber and melancholy vibe/atmosphere, and fantastic music.”
- “Loved the story and atmosphere with a great mix of horror and comedy!”
- “Cozy and atmospheric game with great storytelling and a thrilling story!”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The gameplay is characterized as basic and simplistic, with some users noting its minimal presence; however, the engaging story and short length help compensate for these shortcomings.
- “The gameplay is simple but engaging.”
- “The short length and the great story make up for the basic gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is very basic, almost non-existent, but the short length and the great story make up for it.”
- “The gameplay is simple.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be a captivating and intense emotional journey, delivering a powerful experience in a compact format.
- “A fantastic bite-sized, thrilling, and emotional experience.”
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the game's art style as visually appealing and fitting, complementing the overall experience with great music.
- “I also have to give credit to the great (and fitting) music, and I love the art style.”