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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 211 reviews

story70 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The story is beautifully written, exploring deep themes of humanity, loss, and existentialism, which resonates emotionally with players.
The artwork and soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating a captivating atmosphere that draws players into the narrative.
As a free visual novel, it offers a poignant and memorable experience that is well worth the short playtime.

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 found the music to be repetitive or jarring, detracting from the emotional impact of the story.
The visuals, while adequate, are simplistic and may not meet the expectations of those accustomed to more polished graphic styles in visual novels.

story
167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The story of "Palinurus" is a poignant and emotional journey that explores themes of humanity and artificial intelligence through well-crafted character interactions and a beautifully written narrative. Despite being a kinetic visual novel with no player choices, it captivates players with its engaging plot and deep emotional resonance, often leaving them in tears by the end. The combination of strong writing, evocative music, and a touching premise makes it a highly recommended experience for fans of visual novels and those seeking a meaningful story.
- “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, to be honest.”
- “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
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
58%
13%
The music in "Palinurus" is a mixed bag, with some players praising its haunting and melancholic compositions that enhance the game's emotional depth, while others find it repetitive and occasionally jarring due to abrupt transitions. Classical pieces are well-integrated into the narrative, adding impactful moments, but some tracks can be grating or monotonous. Overall, while the soundtrack complements the visuals and story, it lacks consistency and may not appeal to all players.
- “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 noted that the narrative is both heartbreaking and compelling, often evoking strong emotional responses, including tears, despite its short length and limited interactivity. The writing is highlighted as exceptional, effectively creating a heartfelt connection to the characters and delivering a poignant conclusion that leaves a lasting impact.
- “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.”
- “The last moments of them being together really made me cry.”
graphics
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
62%
19%
The graphics of the game are described as minimalistic and adequate, with some users noting that while the artwork is simple and not particularly striking, it effectively complements the game's somber narrative and emotional depth. Although the visuals may not be show-stopping, they serve their purpose well, and the overall aesthetic is enhanced by the haunting soundtrack. As a freeware title, the graphics are considered decent for the price, but they may not satisfy those seeking more detailed artwork typical of higher-budget visual novels.
- “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
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The gameplay is primarily focused on visual novel elements, with some users noting a lack of traditional gameplay mechanics, leading to mixed reviews. While some appreciate the narrative-driven experience, others feel it lacks interactive gameplay, rating it around 7.5/10.
- “Gameplay/UI: 7.5/10”
- “It's just gameplay.”
- “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
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in "palinurus" is highly praised, with reviewers noting its depth and execution as fantastic. The characters are well-crafted, contributing significantly to the overall immersive experience of the game's rich narrative and visually stunning world.
- “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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
67%
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.”
- “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.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the short story is characterized by a blend of lighthearted teasing between characters, reminiscent of close friends or a romantic couple, which adds a heartwarming touch to the narrative. This interplay of humor and serious moments is well-executed, creating a natural and engaging flow throughout the space-traveling adventure.
- “The short story is filled with humor and serious moments that flow naturally and realistically.”
- “At points in their space-traveling, 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.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
200%
300%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment, suggesting that a second life or extra effort may be necessary to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding for minimal rewards.”