Obsolete

About

Obsolete is a single player casual platformer game. It was developed by Farfelu and was released on August 17, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Obsolete" is a 2D action-platformer game set in a dark, degrading world, where you play as a depths-dwelling creature seeking knowledge. With minimalist graphics, an original soundtrack, and numerous secrets, the game offers a one-hour immersive experience that encourages players to use headphones for optimal enjoyment. The classic gameplay aims to delight both new and veteran players.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 22 reviews

gameplay6 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The story is well presented and the exploration is rewarding, with many secrets to discover.
The gameplay is simple yet enjoyable, with smooth controls and a variety of mechanics that keep it engaging.
The game creates an immersive atmosphere with its minimalist pixel art and a touching soundtrack.

The game is very short, with a playtime of only 25-30 minutes, which may leave some players wanting more.
There is a lack of depth in gameplay, making it feel more like a basic platformer rather than a fully fleshed-out game.
The game can only be played with a keyboard, and the controls cannot be rebound, which may limit accessibility for some players.

gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The gameplay of *obsolete* is characterized by smooth and responsive platforming controls, light puzzle-solving, and navigating various hazards, each with unique attack patterns. While the game effectively exploits a single mechanic across its levels, creating an enjoyable experience, some players feel it lacks depth and content due to its short runtime and minimalist design. Overall, it successfully integrates its simple mechanics into a cohesive and atmospheric experience.
- “This game is a good example of how to take one mechanic and exploit it to the max: each level reveals a different mechanic exploited to the fullest, with more and more dangers, but always 2 to 3 enemies.”
- “The gameplay is fluid, with good ideas and remains simple to understand and play.”
- “I don't mind it being short, but it doesn't have enough gameplay; it's not a game.”
- “The gameplay is based on platforming, light puzzle-solving, and maneuvering through hazards, such as spikes, drops, or enemies, each of which has their own simple, but unique attack patterns.”
- “The gameplay of obsolete is simple with standard platformer controls that are smooth and responsive.”
story
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The story in *obsolete* is presented through environmental storytelling and hidden notes, creating an immersive experience that many players found touching and intriguing. While some appreciated the mystery and depth of the narrative, others felt that the game could benefit from a more substantial gameplay experience and a more meaningful story. Overall, the storytelling approach is well-received, though opinions vary on its impact and execution.
- “The world is truly immersive; I was really touched by the story and I liked discovering it all along the levels.”
- “I found the slight mystery to the story rather intriguing and apt for such a short game.”
- “A very basic platformer connecting a few words of a story.”
- “This could be a better game if it had more 'game' in it, and if the story meant something.”
- “The story of obsolete is not told through dialogue, nor narration, but rather inferred through looking at the ruins of a past civilization and reading the hidden notes.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
60%
30%
The game's graphics feature a minimalistic pixel art style reminiscent of *Limbo*, utilizing a monochrome palette to create a somber atmosphere. The accompanying audio consists of simple ambient sounds and music that complement the visuals, although the lack of adjustable graphic or audio settings is noted but not seen as a significant issue.
- “The audio reinforces the visuals with simple, yet fitting, ambient sounds and music.”
- “The visuals are simple with a minimalistic, pixel art approach.”
- “When I first saw the game, it brought to mind the art style of 'Limbo' due to both games employing a monochrome environment to establish a sombre atmosphere.”
- “There are unfortunately no graphic or audio settings to adjust to your preference; however, this was not much of a problem.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
62%
The music in *obsolete* is generally praised for being sweet and touching, effectively enhancing the visuals with simple and fitting ambient sounds. While most users enjoyed the overall audio experience, one sound effect related to entering the ruins of a city received some criticism.
- “The OST is sweet and touching.”
- “The audio reinforces the visuals with simple, yet fitting, ambient sounds and music.”
- “Overall, I liked the sounds and music in [i]obsolete[/i], except for one sound effect which plays when you enter the ruins of a city (possibly the NPCs).”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as sombre and engaging, reminiscent of the art style of *Limbo* due to its monochrome environment. Players appreciate the short length, which prevents the simple mechanics from becoming tedious, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable experience. However, some users express a desire for controller support to enhance gameplay.
- “It manages to be an enjoyable experience which successfully establishes a sombre atmosphere, and the short length means that the simple mechanics do not have time to become worn-out.”
- “When I first saw the game, it brought to mind the art style of [i]Limbo[/i] due to both games employing a monochrome environment to establish a sombre atmosphere.”
- “[i]Obsolete[/i] is a short, atmospheric 2D platformer game with simple controls.”
- “When I first saw the game, it brought to mind the art style of 'Limbo' due to both games employing a monochrome environment to establish a somber atmosphere.”
- “It manages to be an enjoyable experience which successfully establishes a somber atmosphere, and the short length means that the simple mechanics do not have time to become worn out.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a sweet and touching original soundtrack (OST) that resonates with players, enhancing their overall experience.
- “The OST is sweet and touching.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "Obsolete Dear Decay" is characterized as both funny and heartfelt, offering a unique blend of comedy and emotional depth in a short gaming experience.
- “If you want a funny and short game with a lot of feelings, enter the world of Obsolete Dear Decay.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's straightforward level design aligns well with its overall style but significantly limits its replayability, as players may not find enough variety or challenge to return after completing it.
- “The level design is straightforward, which suits the overall style of the game, but limits its replay value.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that the game's optimization is inconsistent, with some users experiencing smooth performance while others encounter significant frame rate drops and stuttering. Overall, it appears that optimization issues may affect gameplay for a portion of the player base, suggesting a need for further updates to enhance stability.