Palinurus

About

Palinurus is a single player action game with romance, drama and science fiction themes. It was developed by Watercress and was released on December 9, 2016. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

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

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 212 reviews

story68 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The story is emotionally gripping, exploring deep themes of loss, humanity, and the relationship between a human and an AI, which resonates with players on a personal level.
The visuals and music, while simple, effectively complement the narrative, creating a melancholic atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
As a free kinetic visual novel, it offers a short yet impactful experience that many players find worth their time, often leaving them in tears.

The game lacks interactivity, as it is a kinetic novel with no choices or branching paths, which may disappoint players looking for more engagement.
Some players criticize the writing quality and pacing, noting that it can feel simplistic or clichéd at times, detracting from the overall narrative impact.
Technical issues such as abrupt music transitions and limited visuals can disrupt immersion, making the experience feel less polished.

story
162 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The story of the game is a poignant and emotional journey that explores themes of humanity, love, and existentialism through the lens of a relationship between a space pilot and an AI. Despite its simplicity and linearity as a kinetic visual novel, the narrative is well-crafted, engaging, and capable of evoking strong feelings, leaving players with a lasting impact. While some may find elements predictable, the overall execution and character development are praised, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of emotional storytelling.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “It's a 'kinetic novel', in which you don't make any choices; you just click through a story which unveils in a completely linear and non-negotiable fashion.”
music
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
The music in "Palinurus" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its haunting and melancholic qualities that enhance the game's emotional depth and narrative. While some tracks, particularly classical pieces, are praised for their fittingness and impact, others are criticized for abrupt transitions and repetitiveness, leading to a somewhat inconsistent experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as adequate, complementing the visuals and story, but not without its flaws.
- “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
45 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
"Palinurus: The Visual Novel" is widely praised for its emotional depth, exploring themes of loss, regret, and redemption that resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, often leading to tears, particularly during its poignant ending. Despite its brevity and limited interactivity, the narrative's heartfelt storytelling and character connections create a memorable and impactful emotional experience.
- “Without delving into spoilers, I can say that 'Palinurus' delivers a narrative that is as heartbreaking as it is compelling.”
- “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.”
- “This VN honestly made me feel the most amount of emotions I have felt in a very long time.”
graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The graphics of the game are described as minimalistic and adequate, serving their purpose without being particularly striking. While some users appreciate the endearing and well-drawn artwork, others find it lacking in detail and variety, especially given the game's free nature. Overall, the visuals complement the narrative and soundtrack, creating an emotionally resonant experience despite their simplicity.
- “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 artwork is endearing if unexceptional, and the writing is unusually good for a visual novel.”
- “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
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The gameplay in this visual/interactive novel is minimal, primarily consisting of clicking through poorly written dialogue, with no significant interactive elements. While some users rate the gameplay aspect moderately, it is largely characterized as lacking traditional gameplay mechanics, making it more of a kinetic novel experience.
- “Gameplay/UI: 7.5/10”
- “As a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'how did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
- “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.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of lighthearted teasing between characters, creating a heartwarming and funny dynamic reminiscent of close friendships or romantic relationships. The narrative balances comedic elements with serious moments, enhancing the overall experience without detracting from the story's impact.
- “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.”
- “The funny thing is, if you wanted to print this book, you'd only need to print 8 copies to satisfy the entire world's demand for it.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere in "palinurus" is highly praised for its stunning visuals, featuring intricately detailed backgrounds and character designs that enhance the game's immersive world. Additionally, the dynamic changes in the environment and the effective use of electronic music contribute significantly to the overall atmospheric experience.
- “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.”
- “Don't get me wrong: electronic music is a passion of mine and can be used to considerable atmospheric effect.”
- “And when it changes, it really lends to the atmosphere of the situation.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character development in "palinurus," highlighting it as a standout element alongside the game's impressive visuals and immersive storytelling. The depth and atmosphere of the characters contribute significantly to the overall narrative experience.
- “All aspects of the story—exposition, character development, plot—were all done fantastically.”
- “I liked the character development.”
- “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.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels and e-books to be tedious, likening it to a frustratingly slow reading experience where progress is hindered by the need to click through each sentence. This repetitive clicking can feel laborious, leading some to suggest that players may need an excessive amount of time or effort to fully engage with the content.
- “Visual novels/e-books are tedious at best... imagine the best novel you ever read, be that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy or 2001: A Space Odyssey or Twilight (if you have terrible taste in literature), but then translate that to a format where the words dribble out and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”