Once Alive
- November 18, 2024
- Cem Boray Yıldırım
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamPart I: THE LAST SURVIVOR Sixteen years have passed since humanity's extinction due to a global virus outbreak. You play as James, who, along with his brother, believes they are the last survivors. However, this changes when he discovers an invitation to a survivors' base, HaustVille. Part II: WHATEVER IT TAKES Determined to find others, the brothers leave everything behind. After a few days…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful graphics and a captivating atmosphere, making exploration enjoyable.
- The story is intriguing and well-crafted, with surprising twists that keep players engaged.
- As a solo developer project, it showcases impressive dedication and talent, especially considering the quality of the visuals and world-building.
- The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more content and a longer experience.
- There are noticeable issues with voice acting and character animations, which detract from the overall immersion.
- Some aspects of the story feel rushed and poorly executed, leading to a lack of depth in the narrative.
- story39 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its intriguing and emotional elements, while others criticize it for being rushed and overly reliant on exposition from the protagonist. Many appreciate the atmosphere and setting, but feel that the narrative could have been better developed and less linear. Overall, while the story has its strengths, it often falls short of its potential, leaving players wanting more depth and engagement.
“The story is amazing and the puzzles are simple, so there is no constant back and forth walking to solve it.”
“Such a good story!”
“A short but emotional story about brotherly love and the importance of family.”
“The 'foreshadowing' bits in the story and dialogue have the subtlety of your neighbor's modified '97 Civic with a fart can at 4 AM.”
“Towards the end of the story, you get the sense that it was rushed, which betrays the splash screen's claim that the development of the game took 3 years.”
“The story was so rushed in my opinion, and with the protagonist basically giving you all of the information instead of you trying to unpack the story for yourself through the notes and messages you were finding, it really pulls you out of the immersion in the story.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 77 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and attention to detail, creating a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience. While some users noted occasional lag and texture loading issues, the visuals are generally considered a strong point, contributing positively to the gameplay and storytelling. Overall, the graphics are described as remarkable, with many reviewers highlighting their role in making exploration enjoyable.
“A nice walking simulator probably 2-3 hours long on average, the graphics were really nice and had a great atmosphere throughout the game.”
“Exploring was pleasant because of beautiful and cozy graphics.”
“The graphics are truly remarkable; the attention to detail makes exploring the world a pleasure.”
“No matter the visuals, the gameplay, anything, the story is what is really important for a game in this genre.”
- atmosphere9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty and immersive worldbuilding, particularly in the context of its walking simulator format. While the initial setting captivates players, some reviews note a decline in quality towards the end. Overall, the environmental design and lighting contribute significantly to a compelling and engaging experience.
“The game is beautiful and wonderfully atmospheric.”
“Great story and great atmosphere!”
“The environmental design and lighting significantly enhance the atmosphere, delivering a more immersive experience.”
“This is a walking simulator, so the atmosphere is crucial.”
“But all in all, it's a solid walking simulator with an atmosphere similar to 'Everybody's Gone to the Rapture'.”
“Even in a short time, the story and atmosphere managed to pull me in.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and smooth mechanics, effectively supporting the narrative and maintaining a seamless pace. Players can expect around two hours of engaging gameplay, enhanced by impressive graphics and an immersive atmosphere. Overall, the gameplay is well-received, with many praising its fun and enjoyable nature.
“The mechanics are simple yet smooth, allowing the game to maintain its pacing seamlessly.”
“No matter the visuals, the gameplay, anything, the story is what is really important for a game in this genre.”
“You've got good graphics, simple and effective music for the mood, and light gameplay to move the story along.”
“You'll get about two hours of gameplay if you explore everything.”
- music5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its immersive quality and effective support of the story, enhancing the overall experience alongside the well-polished graphics and engaging environments. Players appreciate its simplicity and ability to set the mood, contributing to a joyful and captivating atmosphere.
“The cinematography, environments, and music were a joy to be immersed in.”
“You've got good graphics, simple and effective music for the mood, and light gameplay to move the story along.”
“The music is very immersive and the graphics are very well-polished.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotionally impactful narrative, focusing on themes of brotherly love and the significance of family, which resonates deeply with players and leaves a lasting emotional impression.
“A short but emotional story about brotherly love and the importance of family.”
“In the end, it was emotionally gripping.”
“It made me really emotional.”
