Pandemic Love

About

Pandemic Love is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Red Skald and was released on April 27, 2021. It received very positive reviews from players.

Fear and illness spreads through the city. You try to search for comfort in the people being isolated around you. Keeping the darkness at bay with small embers of light. Will you let the fear change you? You play as Trond, a self-reliant loner who's forced into quarantine for the next two weeks after making it out of Italy's lockdown. Stuck at home you meet other lonesome souls, isolated in th…

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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91%

Audience ScoreBased on 162 reviews

story17 positive mentions

The game features a relatable and emotionally impactful story that resonates with players, especially in the context of isolation during the pandemic.
The art style and music effectively enhance the atmosphere, creating a unique and immersive experience.
Players appreciate the depth of character development and the multiple endings, which encourage replayability and exploration of different narrative paths.

Some players found the pacing slow and the dialogue repetitive, which detracted from their overall enjoyment of the game.
The game can be overly dark and depressing, which may not be suitable for everyone, especially those dealing with their own emotional struggles.
There are criticisms regarding the writing quality, including grammatical errors and a lack of clarity in certain plot points, which can lead to confusion.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
53%
7%
The game's story is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with many players finding it relatable and engaging despite its brevity. While some noted a slow start and occasional writing issues, the multiple endings and impactful choices enhance replayability, making it a worthwhile experience for those interested in interactive narratives. Overall, the story is considered a strong aspect of the game, complemented by a captivating atmosphere and well-developed characters.
- “A very short but great story that many may relate to.”
- “The story is deep and you won't get bored if you play it multiple times, because different decisions change the story quite a bit.”
- “This game's story is so interesting and fulfilling.”
- “I wish there were more to the story.”
- “The story itself has potential, but the writing style didn't grip me enough to want to finish it in the end.”
- “For a free game, it was really nice; at the start it felt a bit slow, but after the story started, I wanted to know more and more. Sadly, the end came really abruptly, and I wished for a bit more of the story.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
43%
21%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively conveying feelings of isolation and emotion, from calmness to distress. While some players noted that the music can become repetitive over multiple playthroughs, its minimalistic and subtle nature complements the art style and overall experience, making it a standout feature for many. Overall, the soundtrack is described as both engaging and fitting, contributing significantly to the game's mood.
- “What originally caught my attention about this game was the music and art style which has this isolated and lonely feel to it, especially the music which really fits the mood at the moment.”
- “The music was this mix of calm and distressing tunes, it made me feel all sorts of emotions, from love, to sadness and even anger.”
- “The music is very subtle, it paints the scene well without distracting the player from the task at hand.”
- “The only thing that could've made it better is if there was no music to just feel and hear the loneliness.”
- “The music was this mix of calm and distressing tunes; it made me feel all sorts of emotions, from love to sadness and even anger.”
- “No amount of typos, looped music, or subpar art piece takes away from the oppressing atmosphere of this visual novel.”
emotional
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have found the game to be deeply emotional, often leading to tears and a strong sense of relatability. The storylines, particularly in specific character routes, evoke a wide range of feelings, from love to sadness, enhanced by a poignant soundtrack that complements the emotional experience. Many users report being unexpectedly invested in the narrative, highlighting its ability to resonate with personal feelings of loneliness and connection.
- “It does a lot and made me cry for some reason, maybe it's because I am lonely.”
- “I went with Silje's route first because she's adorable, Liv's hilarious, and Gry's route was unexpectedly emotional.”
- “The music was this mix of calm and distressing tunes; it made me feel all sorts of emotions, from love to sadness and even anger.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
12%
38%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinct and simplistic art style that resonates well with its narrative, evoking feelings of isolation and loneliness. While opinions on the art vary, many players appreciate its quaint, hand-drawn quality and how it complements the overall mood of the game. Overall, the artwork is seen as a strong point, enhancing the storytelling experience.
- “The artwork is stunning with its descriptive art style, but also incomplete to give that feeling of people being washed away or disappearing.”
- “I really loved the art style used, and thought the storyline was quite well written.”
- “The art style is simplistic yet still gets the narrative across.”
- “What originally caught my attention about this game was the music and art style, which has this isolated and lonely feel to it, especially the music that really fits the mood at the moment.”
- “The artwork is distinct and fitting the tone.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions, particularly in relation to themes of depression and uncertainty during the pandemic. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, minimalistic art style, and effective use of music, which collectively enhance the immersive experience. Despite some technical flaws, the game's atmosphere remains compelling and impactful, drawing players into its poignant narrative.
- “Very interesting story, stunning visuals, and great atmosphere!”
- “It opens with a cold and unknown atmosphere, effectively describing depression during a pandemic as well as an unattainable or faraway love.”
- “No amount of typos, looped music, or subpar art takes away from the oppressive atmosphere of this visual novel.”
- “It deals with heavy topics so well, yet also maintains an atmosphere of uncertainty.”
- “It opens with a cold and unknown atmosphere; it really describes depression during a pandemic as well as an unattainable or faraway love.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its humor, with players finding it both funny and engaging, particularly through the characters' witty interactions and relatable commentary on current events like the pandemic. The humor is complemented by emotional depth in certain story routes, making it a standout aspect of the visual novel.
- “The game is a mediocre visual novel, but it's also pretty funny.”
- “I went with Silje's route first because she's adorable, Liv's hilarious, and Gry's route was unexpectedly emotional.”
- “It captures what I felt and currently feel towards the pandemic and also has some funny burns at League of Legends, which I thoroughly enjoy.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
Players emphasize that purchasing the DLC not only supports the creators but also enhances understanding of the game's mechanics, suggesting that it is integral to fully grasping the gameplay experience.
- “Click the video above to see some of the gameplay mechanics and hear my thoughts on the game.”
- “Oh, and I know everybody says that you should buy the DLC to support the creator, which you should, but you should also buy it because it helps to figure out some of the game mechanics.”