Palinurus

About

A drifting traveler boards a one-man space shuttle destined for Alpha Centauri. This shuttle is piloted by Budapest, an artificial intelligence program designed to serve humanity. When disaster unexpectedly befalls their ship, the two of them are sent careening through uncharted space.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 422 reviews

story140 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The story is beautifully written, exploring deep themes of humanity, loneliness, and the relationship between humans and AI.
The emotional impact of the narrative is profound, often leaving players in tears and prompting deep reflection on existential topics.
The game features stunning artwork and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it a memorable visual novel.

As a kinetic visual novel, there are no choices or branching paths, which may disappoint players looking for interactivity.
The game is relatively short, taking only 1-2 hours to complete, which some players may find unsatisfying.
Technical aspects such as music transitions and occasional dialogue issues detract from the overall polish of the experience.

story
334 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
57%
1%
The story of "Palinurus" is a poignant and emotional journey that explores themes of humanity and artificial intelligence through the lens of a kinetic visual novel. Players are drawn into a beautifully crafted narrative filled with relatable characters and touching interactions, despite the absence of choices or branching paths. While the story is concise and at times predictable, it resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impact on players who appreciate its heartfelt exploration of love, loss, and existentialism.
- “Through subtle storytelling and poignant character interactions, the game explores the depths of human emotion, inviting players to empathize with its troubled protagonists and their struggles to come to terms with their pasts.”
- “It's a testament to the power of storytelling in video games, reminding us of the profound impact that a well-crafted narrative can have on our hearts and minds.”
- “Not only is palinurus well paced, and just has a good premise in general, its story and the way it plays out definitely touches your heart, and leads to an emotional ending.”
- “Gotta be straight up honest, this story is basically your phone dying but overdramatized, tbh.”
- “A sad story about a space pilot falling in love with an AI... the ending was disappointing... I felt robbed :(”
- “Some parts of the story are pretty cliché and I can't say that any part of the story brought out any genuine emotion in me at all.”
music
104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
58%
13%
The music in "Palinurus" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its haunting and melancholic qualities that enhance the game's emotional depth, particularly through classical pieces. However, some reviewers noted issues with abrupt transitions and repetitiveness, which detracted from the overall experience. While the soundtrack is generally seen as fitting and effective, it lacks consistency and can occasionally be jarring, leading to a perception of it being average rather than exceptional.
- “From melancholic piano melodies to ethereal vocal tracks, the music adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to every scene, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the world of 'Palinurus.'”
- “The combination of the music and visuals really helps to enhance the story and bring them much more meaning than they would have otherwise.”
- “The music in this game is great; honestly, you can't go wrong downloading this just to listen to the fantastic music!”
- “The music is serviceable though not outstanding.”
- “At times where, for example, the protagonist fell asleep and woke up the next day, there was no pause or fade between the falling asleep and the waking up - it was just instant, with the scene and music immediately changing in a very jarring way, with no segue between them whatsoever.”
- “I thought that the music could have been better as some of the tracks were rather grating to listen to on a loop during certain parts of the game.”
emotional
90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
"Palinurus: The Visual Novel" is widely praised for its emotional depth, exploring themes of loss, regret, and redemption through a beautifully crafted narrative that resonates with players. Many reviewers noted that the story's poignant moments and heartfelt character connections elicited strong emotional responses, often leading to tears. Despite some critiques regarding pacing and plot contrivances, the overall consensus is that it offers a touching and memorable experience, making it a standout in the genre.
- “Palinurus: The Visual Novel is an emotionally gripping experience that delves deep into themes of loss, regret, and the search for redemption.”
- “Without delving into spoilers, I can say that Palinurus delivers a narrative that is as heartbreaking as it is compelling.”
- “I honestly felt an emotional connection to both of the main characters by the end, and I was sad when the story ended.”
graphics
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The graphics of the game are described as minimalistic and unexceptional, yet they effectively complement the narrative and evoke a sense of melancholy. While some full-screen illustrations are noted as appealing, the overall visual experience is considered adequate for a freeware title, with many reviewers emphasizing the importance of the writing over the graphics. Despite the limitations, the art style is seen as endearing, contributing to the emotional depth of the story.
- “From its stunning artwork to its haunting soundtrack, every aspect of the game is meticulously crafted to evoke a powerful sense of melancholy and reflection.”
- “The combination of the music and visuals really helps to enhance the story and bring them much more meaning than they would have otherwise.”
- “The main character, [i]budapest[/i], is endearing on all levels of her personality; CG and artwork are simple but well drawn and incredibly cute.”
- “A lot of locations and events were described without being shown or bringing any change to the visuals (such as locations or activities on Earth, or the dreams mentioned).”
- “The graphics are mediocre and the music should have been made to loop better.”
- “I didn't particularly care for the limited art style, either.”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The gameplay is primarily focused on narrative, resembling a visual novel or kinetic novel, with minimal interactive elements. While some users appreciate the storytelling aspect, others note the lack of traditional gameplay mechanics, leading to mixed reviews. Overall, it scores a 7.5/10 for gameplay and user interface.
- “Gameplay/UI: 7.5/10”
- “There is no gameplay at all; it's pure visual novel, or kinetic novel as they say.”
- “There is no gameplay at all, it's pure visual novel, or kinetic novel as they say.”
- “Unless you are looking for gameplay, I recommend this game.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development in "palinurus" is highly praised, with reviewers noting its depth and execution as fantastic. The integration of character growth within a rich plot and visually stunning environments enhances the overall storytelling experience.
- “All aspects of the story - exposition, character development, plot, were all done fantastically.”
- “The plot is deep and character development is beautifully executed.”
- “I liked the character development.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The atmosphere in "palinurus" is highly praised for its stunning visuals, featuring intricately detailed backgrounds and character designs that create a rich and immersive world. Additionally, the dynamic use of electronic music enhances the overall ambiance, effectively complementing the game's emotional and situational shifts.
- “Visually, 'palinurus' is a feast for the eyes, with beautifully detailed backgrounds and character designs that bring its world to life with remarkable depth and atmosphere.”
- “And when it changes, it really lends to the atmosphere of the situation.”
- “Don't get me wrong: electronic music is a passion of mine and can be used to considerable atmospheric effect.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the short story is characterized by a blend of lighthearted teasing and heartwarming interactions between the characters, reminiscent of close friends or a romantic couple. This balance of comedic and serious moments creates a natural and engaging flow, enhancing the overall narrative experience.
- “The short story is filled with humor and serious moments that flow naturally and realistically.”
- “At points in their space-travelling, the passenger and Budapest would frequently tease each other in the same way friends (or perhaps a romantic couple) might, and it feels quite heartwarming and funny to watch the frivolity.”
- “I've refrained from detailing any specific plot points at the risk of making them less dramatic or humorous.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players indicate that grinding in the game is so demanding that it may require a second life, suggesting it can be excessively time-consuming or challenging.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”

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3h Median play time

3h Average play time

2-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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