Passpartout

About

"Passpartout" is a game that allows you to explore the world of art by creating your own masterpieces. With a focus on the confusing and often subjective nature of the art world, players can navigate this landscape while tackling big questions about the definition and value of art. The game encourages creativity and self-expression, as you paint your own unique pieces and rise in the art world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,925 reviews

graphics54 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

graphics
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
64%
4%
The graphics of the game are generally described as simplistic yet charming, with a unique art style that enhances the overall relaxing experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic MS Paint aesthetic and find the visuals inviting, others note that the graphics could be improved, particularly in terms of tool variety and performance on lower settings. Overall, the game's visuals contribute positively to its creative atmosphere, making it enjoyable for players who appreciate art and casual gameplay.
- “The graphics are nice, as well as the music.”
- “The game has a unique artistic-style look to it and a pleasing aesthetic.”
- “Passpartout's graphics are inviting and calming, ushering in an amazing atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are pretty bad and you graphic hunters won't like this.”
- “For a 3D game, the graphics aren't the best.”
- “Low graphics and very laggy.”
gameplay
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
61%
8%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its simplistic mechanics and repetitive nature, which some players find charming and relaxing, while others feel it lacks depth and excitement. Many reviews highlight the fun of the painting aspect, but note that the limited tools and shallow gameplay can lead to boredom over time. Overall, while the core concept is appreciated, there is a consensus that the game could benefit from more complexity and variety in its mechanics.
- “The simplistic gameplay of this game is so good; I somehow feel so immersed every time I launch it despite the minimal graphics.”
- “The gameplay puts in the context of challenges faced by a starving artist struggling with poverty.”
- “Passpartout is an absolutely charming game, full of great music, simple yet compelling gameplay, and has a great 'indie' feel to it.”
- “The graphic of the game is number one, I love that and the characters, but the gameplay is shallow and gave me no excitement at all.”
- “Overall, repetitive gameplay with little reward.”
- “The gameplay is really not that impressive; you are essentially just drawing really quick pictures with a mouse.”
story
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
67%
5%
The game's story is generally perceived as simplistic and short, often described as lacking depth and progression, with many players expressing a desire for more content. While some appreciate the charm and creativity of the narrative, particularly its branching paths and replayability, others find it insufficiently developed, leading to a feeling of abruptness at the conclusion. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay, which focuses more on the artistic experience than on a robust narrative.
- “This game is amazing if you want to make art and have fun doing it; it has a good story mode but I wish there was more than just selling art, like maybe a story mode where you only have a couple of colors or total free roam, and it's pretty cool.”
- “The storylines bring an element of interest into this game as well.”
- “Passpartout definitely provides a good storyline as well, telling the story of a thriving artist as they attempt to please the crowd.”
- “The story is short, and the ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying.”
- “Story is lacking in content and progression; you don't feel encouraged to experience each branch in it.”
- “The story progression is easy to miss, and there's no diagram or simple list of tick marks showing you where you are in the story, so every minute of gameplay feels the same as the last one without feeling like you're making any progress.”
music
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
42%
5%
The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall ambiance while players engage in painting. Many reviewers appreciate the chill soundtrack, which complements the unique art style and gameplay, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset, contributing to a delightful and calming experience.
- “The soundtrack is chill along with a puppet theater art style that is pretty unique.”
- “The music in this game is beautiful and fits the settings you paint in fantastically.”
- “A wonderful way to chill and listen to dank music!!”
- “Trying to cheese the minimalist path for achievement is most frustrating and challenging to do; the soundtrack is too repetitive and could have used some more guidance in-game.”
- “People like praising the soundtrack, but I was more annoyed with it by the end of my sessions because it just didn't appeal to me.”
- “The music is fitting, but after a time, it's too monotone.”
humor
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding the interactions with quirky NPCs and the absurdity of selling their often ridiculous artwork to be genuinely funny. Many reviews highlight the comedic elements of the game's dialogue and scenarios, making it an entertaining experience despite its simplistic mechanics. Overall, the game's blend of humor and creativity provides a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere for players.
- “They are extremely rude about your art when they don’t like it, which is honestly pretty funny.”
- “Passpartout is a game that allows you to be insanely creative, and rewards you for it while also tearing you down at the same time through funny characters and dialogue.”
- “The game is good and funny because you get to draw whatever you like and it's good because of the funny things you can do as well, so I recommend this game.”
replayability
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
60%
16%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players enjoy the multiple endings and the freedom to experiment with painting, others find the content limited and repetitive, leading to diminished interest after initial playthroughs. Overall, it offers a degree of replay value primarily through its artistic elements and branching paths, but many feel it lacks substantial depth to encourage repeated play.
- “Even though the game is short, it has lots of replayability. I find it fun to figure out what each person likes in each act and draw accordingly.”
- “There are different paths through the game, which offers a certain amount of replayability of the main story, which is quite interesting.”
- “This adds a great deal of replayability as the endings are, as I understand, quite different from each other.”
- “Fun game to mess around in but lacks replayability outside of just, well, painting I guess.”
- “As for replayability, the game doesn't have enough interesting content to make me want to replay it, at least not fully.”
- “Just a prior warning: if you are looking for a replayable game with interesting mechanics, do not get this.”
atmosphere
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
21%
16%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its relaxing and charming qualities, enhanced by inviting visuals and a fitting soundtrack. Reviewers appreciate how it creates a unique, emotional experience that contrasts with typical action games, although some note that the overall gameplay can feel tedious despite the strong atmospheric elements. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as a significant strength, contributing to the game's appeal and player engagement.
- “The atmosphere and tone of the game is also spot on in my opinion.”
- “I love how this game breaks away from some stereotypical 'action' games, and replaces it with unique visuals, charming atmosphere, and all-around greatness.”
- “It becomes very tedious and boring, though the atmosphere helps.”
- “It has an atmosphere that is so lonely and really embodies the mind of a struggling artist, trying to be successful with the one thing they're good at - art!”
- “What it lacks in complexity or certain game mechanics, it certainly makes up with charm and atmosphere.”
emotional
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed experience, with players finding it both heartwarming and heartbreaking. While many appreciate its wholesome tone and relatable narrative about the struggles of a starving artist, others have expressed deep sadness due to technical issues and the game's challenges, leading to feelings of frustration and loss. Overall, it resonates strongly with those who have a personal connection to art, evoking a range of emotions from joy to sorrow.
- “This is the most emotional game that I have ever played in my entire life.”
- “Cute game but I made some art and was getting nowhere so I waited until I was broke thinking it'd advance the story so he'd continue being a starving artist but instead it gave me a game over and I lost all the little paintings I had actually worked on and now I'm sad but I still have to recommend it for the lil metameta piece of art that it is even if it hurt me emotionally.”
- “Trying to produce art as fast as you can while also naturally channeling your emotional state into it, all while trying to survive, I think naturally touches anyone who's done art for a long time.”
grinding
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
79%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often describing it as a chore that can lead to boredom, especially during extended play sessions. While some enjoy the casual nature of the game and appreciate its relaxing elements, many agree that the grinding can become tiresome, particularly when trying to cater to specific customer preferences or complete all endings in one go. Overall, the game is better suited for short bursts of play rather than marathon sessions.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Boring and repetitive, a tedious chore.”
- “Playing it all in one go for all the endings is tiring and makes the game tedious.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, such as freezing and issues with saving. While some players still find enjoyment in the game despite these problems, the overall consensus suggests that the game's stability needs significant improvement to enhance the user experience.
- “The game is too buggy, please mark this comment helpful, for a steam gift.”
- “Just now, simply opening the game, clicking on 'main menu' freezes it.”
- “Personally, I also found it buggy, especially when it comes to 'saving'.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
Character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and diverse NPC designs, each with distinct personalities that enhance the overall experience. However, some players note that the game lacks a strong plot-driven narrative and character growth, focusing more on artistic elements than on deep character arcs. Overall, while the character designs are praised, the depth of character development may not meet the expectations of those seeking a more narrative-driven experience.
- “Could play for hours, fun to try to get the different endings, amazing and fun art style and NPC character designs.”
- “+ Unique character designs that have different personalities.”
- “If you're looking for a plot-driven game with dialogues, character development, a plucky protagonist foiling some antagonistic critic against all odds while gathering a ragtag band of endearing companions, then you won't find any of those in Passpartout.”
- “The character design for me took front and center.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for appearing exploitative, with users noting practices such as soliciting, auctioning, and selling in-game items, which contribute to a perception of it being a cash grab. Additionally, players feel pressured to spend real money on advertising and character outfits, detracting from the overall experience.
- “Quickly developed for some sort of cash grab.”
- “Alternatively, maybe you could use your cash to buy advertising or outfits for your character.”
- “Soliciting, begging, auctioning, raffling, selling, advertising, referrals.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game faces optimization issues, resulting in a heavier load on hardware, but despite these limitations, players find the gameplay enjoyable and appreciate its educational value regarding traditional painting styles.
- “While the tools are limited and the game is a bit heavy on my hardware due to what I assume are optimization issues, the gameplay is genuinely fun and teaches the importance of each traditional painting style that is covered, along with a unique story ending so far.”