oath

About

oath is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by vai5000 and was released on September 2, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Oath" is an interactive story-driven game with top-down RPG exploration and visual novel-style storytelling. The game features hand-drawn art and animation by the musician who created the companion EP for the game. Players can also access the EP and view an art gallery through the main menu. The story revolves around returning to a familiar town and confronting a face from the past.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 55 reviews

music10 positive mentions

The game features a profound and emotional story that effectively portrays the struggles of leaving an abusive relationship.
The multimedia experience is well-crafted, with exceptional music, sound design, and evocative visuals that enhance the storytelling.
It offers a unique and creative gameplay experience, filled with hidden elements and easter eggs that encourage exploration.

Some players feel the story may come off as generic or overly focused on themes of depression and anxiety.
The game's short length may leave some players wanting more content or a deeper exploration of its themes.
The psychological aspects may not resonate with everyone, particularly those unfamiliar with the artist's music or the game's inspirations.

music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
45%
13%
The game's music and sound design, rooted in the experimental music scene, are praised for their careful crafting and ability to evoke specific emotions. Players appreciate the atmospheric and beautiful compositions, which enhance the overall experience, making it a standout feature even for those unfamiliar with the artist. The music is described as both captivating and integral to the game's unique vibe, appealing to fans of similar genres and styles.
- “Not only do I have some incredible songs to add to my playlist, but the atmosphere is unlike anything I've played in a long time.”
- “Amazing music, amazing atmosphere, amazing visuals.”
- “Without experiences and emotions, there wouldn't be any music.”
- “Even if you aren't familiar with vai5000 or don't care so much about the music aspect, it's still a neat little project for Omori or Milk Inside a Bag of Milk fans.”
- “With music and sound design coming from an experimental music scene, it's no wonder the game sonically is crafted so carefully in such strange ways and conveys such specific feelings.”
story
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
39%
23%
The game features a short yet impactful story that explores the challenges of escaping an abusive relationship, highlighting themes of trauma bonding. Its evocative visuals enhance the narrative, which resonates with a late teen/young adult audience. Overall, players appreciate the beautiful storytelling and the inclusion of clever easter eggs.
- “The visuals have such a neat, evocative style that make the story so much more hard-hitting.”
- “Beautiful game, beautiful story, awesome easter eggs.”
- “Without trying to sound condescending, the game's story is very late teen/young adult edge ridden.”
- “A very short but profound story about what I perceived to be the difficulty someone faces when trying to leave their abuser whom they’re trauma-bonded to.”
- “The visuals have such a neat, evocative style that make the story so much harder hitting.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The graphics are highly praised for their evocative and unique art style, which significantly enhances the storytelling and overall atmosphere of the game. Many reviewers highlight the impressive visuals as a key factor in their enjoyment, often comparing it to the aesthetics of "Omori." The combination of striking visuals and exceptional music creates a captivating experience that resonates with players.
- “The visuals have such a neat, evocative style that makes the story so much more hard-hitting.”
- “Amazing music, amazing atmosphere, amazing visuals.”
- “The visuals are crazy.”
- “The visuals are crazy.”
- “The art style is what drew me to 100% the game.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, effectively blending elements of fear and comfort while providing a realistic portrayal of the psychological impact of emotional abuse. Reviewers appreciate its multimedia approach, which enhances the emotional experience and resonates with players on a personal level.
- “A very well made multimedia experience that is emotional and scary, yet very comforting at times too.”
- “I liked the psychological aspects as well, and it seems like a fairly realistic portrayal of what a person in an emotionally abusive relationship would be socialized into behaving due to the emotional abuse.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its unique and immersive qualities, enhanced by incredible music and stunning visuals. Players find it to be a standout experience that sets it apart from other games they've played.
- “Not only do I have some incredible songs to add to my playlist, but the atmosphere is unlike anything I've played in a long time.”
- “Amazing music, amazing atmosphere, amazing visuals.”