Orwell's Animal Farm
- December 10, 2020
- Nerial
If you’re looking for an incredibly memorable and surprisingly emotional refresher on this all-too important story, look no further than Orwell’s Animal Farm.
In Orwell's Animal Farm, a text-based narrative game, players manage a society of animals who have taken over the farm from their human oppressors. Assign tasks, manage resources, and create laws to shape the new order. But beware the corrupting influence of power, as some animals may become "more equal" than others, staying true to the themes of Orwell's classic critique of totalitarianism.
Reviews
- The game is a faithful adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm, featuring beautiful artwork and engaging storytelling.
- It offers multiple endings and encourages replayability, allowing players to explore different choices and outcomes.
- The narrative effectively conveys the themes of the original novel, prompting self-reflection and discussion about political and social issues.
- Gameplay is often repetitive and lacks meaningful interaction, making it feel more like a visual novel than a traditional game.
- Many players found the mechanics confusing and the game to be buggy, with issues such as characters appearing after their supposed deaths.
- The experience can feel depressing and futile, as decisions often lead to similar negative outcomes, diminishing the sense of agency.
- story50 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story, while a faithful adaptation of George Orwell's "Animal Farm," is described as more of an interactive storybook than a traditional game, with limited branching paths and minimal impact from player choices. Some players appreciate the depth and backstory provided, while others find the narrative straightforward and lacking engagement, often feeling that it doesn't add much to the original tale. Overall, it offers a unique perspective on the classic story, but may not satisfy those seeking a more dynamic or adventurous experience.
“An interesting way to interact with Orwell's Animal Farm, allowing for the 'what ifs' that would challenge the events in the story.”
“I had high expectations of the game as I love George Orwell's novella and I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed - the game is a faithful adaptation of the original story.”
“If you love a good story, this is for you.”
“Unfortunately, it is only targeted for little children - the 'choice' only relates to whose point of view you should read for a specific moment and it doesn't branch the storyline.”
“And the story is straightforwardly depressing for the sake of being depressing; I played 4 times, and the ending has almost no differences. I tried to choose so many different options hoping for different outcomes.”
“Please remember this is a game; it is for people to enjoy. If I need to read a book in order to play the game and understand the full story, that's not a successful game for most people.”
- gameplay39 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding it repetitive, shallow, and lacking meaningful choices, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the thematic depth and narrative elements, others criticize the mechanics as confusing and poorly explained, leading to a sense of frustration and disappointment. Overall, the game is seen more as a visual novel with minimal interactive gameplay rather than a robust gaming experience.
“A fascinating theme with super fun gameplay matching a beautiful game.”
“The gameplay is a really nice iteration of the well-known visual novel/choose your own adventure genre.”
“It’s great how much depth the developers were able to get out of such simple mechanics.”
“The gameplay isn't really gameplay to be honest; it's just you clicking a bunch of times and seeing the outcomes of said decision - that's it. If this were just a straight-up visual novel, I would have turned a blind eye, but then again...”
“This game explains nothing about its gameplay (after multiple playthroughs I'm still unsure of what the animalism stat does) and appears to be a buggy mess of RNG.”
“If you approach this game with any high expectations in terms of gameplay, you'll be bitterly disappointed.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beauty and charm, with many reviewers highlighting the stunning landscapes and artwork reminiscent of traditional book illustrations. While the visuals are generally considered engaging and suitable for all ages, some users noted minor glitches and inconsistencies, such as black borders in certain scenes, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the graphics received high marks, with many recommending the game for its aesthetic appeal.
“I loved the graphics; the landscapes are very beautiful as the seasons change.”
“The artwork is gorgeous and reminds you of traditional book illustrations.”
“Interesting take on Orwell's classic novel with beautiful and charming artwork.”
“However, I cannot understand why there are black borders on the sides for certain parts of the game, but then in others it isn't. It is incredibly annoying and does not fit any aesthetic purposes whatsoever.”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with a good soundtrack that players appreciate enough to keep the game for it. However, the sound mixing is criticized, as music levels can be inconsistent, often being either too loud or too low, which detracts from the overall experience.
“This game has satisfying graphics, clear lines, and good music.”
“The soundtrack is good.”
“I kept the game for the soundtrack.”
“The sound mixing in this game is also awful, with music either being too loud or too low and the narrator's voice being too damn low - what on earth happened?”
- replayability7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The game offers moderate replayability, primarily due to its eight different endings and unique presentation. While some players feel it lacks extensive replay value, many appreciate the opportunity to explore various routes, making it a worthwhile experience for those interested in multiple playthroughs. Overall, it strikes a balance between length and replay potential.
“Unique presentation, replayable with different endings.”
“It's not terribly long, but there is plenty of replay value in trying for various routes and endings, and it's relatively cheap.”
“Not too much replay value, but 8 different endings.”
“It’s not terribly long, but there is plenty of replay value in trying for various routes and endings, and it’s relatively cheap.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent glitches such as text skipping and audio desynchronization, which detract from the overall experience. Many players find the lack of clear gameplay explanations and the presence of random bugs frustrating, suggesting that improvements in scripting and stability are needed for a more enjoyable experience. Despite its appealing graphics, the game's current state is described as a "buggy mess."
“This game explains nothing about its gameplay (after multiple playthroughs I'm still unsure of what the animalism stat does) and appears to be a buggy mess of RNG.”
“[multiple scripting glitches and bugs, not enough substance given how short it is, mechanics not well explained]”
“If they’re able to fix the scripting errors and glitches, that recommendation might be extended to a classroom as a great introduction to the novel to younger students.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the ironic suggestion from players in discussion forums that one must read books to fully appreciate the experience, which adds a layer of comedic absurdity to the quest for strategy. This self-referential humor resonates with players, making the search for solutions both entertaining and amusing.
“The funny thing at the end, while I was trying to look for a strategy document to see any good endings, I noticed people in the discussion forums saying we need to read books first.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight "Animal Farm" as a profoundly emotional experience, emphasizing its ability to evoke strong feelings and provide a memorable reflection on its significant themes.
“If you’re looking for an incredibly memorable and surprisingly emotional refresher on this all-too-important story, look no further than Orwell’s Animal Farm.”
Critic Reviews
Orwell’s Animal Farm
+ Lovely storybook imagery + Choices cause a widely branching story + Fantastic narration - Some repeated choices and story moments - Occasion confusion of effects of choices (Reviewed on PC (Steam), also available on Mac, Android and iOS)
70%Orwell's Animal Farm Review
Orwell's Animal Farm is a bold attempt at turning a classic novel into a video game. While the actual gameplay isn’t anything special, it does manage to stay true to the message of the book.
60%Orwell’s Animal Farm review – All farmhands on deck
The turmoil of a revolution gone wrong is conveyed through nothing more than a few mouse clicks and quick decisions. It’s flawed and frustrating, but there’s an undeniable elegance to the game.
60%