No One Can Ever Know

About

No One Can Ever Know is an autobiographical game about dealing with gender dysphoria, and the consequences of repressing your emotions. The game mechanics are inspired by classic survival horror games. As you navigate the levels, you encounter intrusive thoughts, which increase your dysphoria meter. If the meter reaches 100%, it's game over, so you need to properly manage your phone battery in ord…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 18 reviews

emotional6 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game provides a poignant and meaningful exploration of gender dysphoria, offering players a unique perspective on the struggles faced by transgender individuals.
It is praised for its emotional depth and ability to evoke strong feelings, making it a significant piece of interactive art.
The game is recognized for its attempt to push social commentary on important issues, showcasing the challenges of living with mental illness and societal pressures.

The graphics and sound quality are criticized as being extremely poor, detracting from the overall experience.
Navigation within the game is described as confusing and frustrating, with repetitive environments that make it difficult to progress.
Many reviewers feel that the game lacks traditional gameplay elements and replay value, making it feel more like a poorly executed art project than a cohesive game.

emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, eliciting strong feelings of sadness and reflection from players. Many report experiencing intense emotional responses, including tears during both successes and failures, as the game resonates deeply with personal struggles and themes of dysphoria. Overall, it evokes a powerful connection to the player's own experiences and emotions.
- “I cried a lot during it.”
- “I cried when I failed, I cried when I succeeded, I cried when I knew exactly what the author was getting at.”
- “I cried thinking about my own past.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The gameplay is described as somewhat lacking in mechanics, as the focus is primarily on delivering a personal narrative rather than creating a traditional gaming experience. While there are elements of rogue-like gameplay integrated into a survival-horror setting, the connection to the themes may resonate more deeply with those who share the author's perspective.
- “The gameplay weaves traditional rogue-like elements into a survival-horror setting, subtly underscored by an infinite psychological horror.”
- “The personal story delivered through the themes and narrative adds depth to the gameplay experience.”
- “The unique blend of gameplay mechanics and narrative creates a compelling experience that resonates with players.”
- “Mechanically a bit threadbare is to be expected with such a personal story being delivered by the themes and narrative.”
- “While there's some gameplay elements here, the purpose of the developer was not to make a game; this is problematic as my focus will always be on reviewing games, not art.”
- “Likewise, nobody who isn't trans will be instantly connected to the genius way in which the author weaves traditional roguelike gameplay into a survival-horror setting subtly underscored by infinite psychological horror unless they know where to look.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The story is a deeply personal narrative that explores the life of a young trans girl, highlighting themes of identity and struggle. While some find the mechanics of the storytelling lacking, the emotional resonance and relatability of the protagonist's journey are powerful and impactful.
- “No one can ever know tells the true story of a young trans girl and her life growing up.”
- “Mechanically a bit threadbare is to be expected with such a personal story being delivered by the themes and narrative.”
- “I could have told this story myself, but for a few small changes.”
- “It really is that easy to give up when life seems like it will never get better, when your body tells a story of yourself that everyone believes but you.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The graphics have been widely criticized for being poor, with some reviewers noting the use of outdated retro pixel art that fails to meet modern standards. Overall, the visual presentation is considered a significant drawback of the game.
- “The graphics are awful, the sound is... not great.”
- “They chose to use obsolete retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The music in the game serves as a coping mechanism for players, helping to alleviate feelings of gender dysphoria. However, it comes with a notable drawback, as listening to songs significantly drains the player's battery, reducing overall gameplay experience.
- “Listening to loud music can help drown out crippling thoughts and provide a sense of relief.”
- “The music in the game creates an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
- “The soundtrack is so engaging that it keeps you hooked and adds depth to the gameplay.”
- “For some reason, listening to a song drains about 20% of your battery.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development in the game is noted for its depth and complexity, with players appreciating the nuanced growth of characters throughout the storyline. Many reviews highlight the emotional arcs and relationships that evolve, making the characters feel relatable and engaging. Overall, the development is seen as a strong point that enhances the overall narrative experience.
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that affect character growth throughout the game.”
- “The characters seem to follow predictable arcs, leaving little room for surprise or genuine evolution.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers indicate that the game lacks replayability due to minimal player fulfillment and a very short playthrough duration, leading to little incentive for players to engage with the game again.
- “There's certainly no replay value as there's no real player fulfillment from even a single playthrough, which can be completed in no time at all. So why would you need a continue option regardless?”
- “Once you've experienced the game, there's little incentive to go back. The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying feel pointless.”
- “The game offers no variety in gameplay or story, making multiple playthroughs feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is completely free, which contrasts with the common criticism of Gamemaker Studio being used for low-effort cash grabs.
- “Very often, game maker studios are used to create shovelware and lazy cash grabs, although in this case, the game is completely free.”