Path Out
- November 7, 2017
- causacreations
Tackling a topic like Syria is difficult, but not when it’s created by a refugee of the civil war. Abdullah Karam tells his story with surprising humour, and while that doesn’t always work, it still results in the beginnings of a unique war story.
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Get on itch.io Store"Path Out is an autobiographical JRPG based on the real-life journey of a young Syrian artist, Abdullah Karam. In this episodic game, players will relive Abdullah's experiences from a peaceful life in Hama to his perilous escape to the Turkish border, all presented with meticulously researched pixel art and a unique neo-orchestral electronica soundtrack. Insightful video commentary by Abdullah himself provides a personal touch to this tale of survival and resilience."
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Reviews
- The game provides a unique and emotional storytelling experience, allowing players to understand the struggles of a Syrian refugee through Abdullah's personal narrative and video commentary.
- The graphics and music are well-crafted, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Despite its short length, the game effectively raises awareness about the Syrian crisis and offers a poignant reflection on the impact of war on civilians.
- The gameplay is simplistic and can feel slow, with limited interactivity and a lack of challenging mechanics.
- Some players found the developer's commentary to disrupt the flow of the game, breaking immersion and making it feel more like an interactive video than a traditional game.
- The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more depth and additional chapters to fully explore Abdullah's story.
- story87 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of the game, based on the true experiences of Abdullah Karam fleeing the Syrian civil war, is described as powerful, emotional, and compelling, with many players feeling a deep connection to the protagonist. While the narrative is praised for its unique presentation through video snippets and commentary, some reviewers note that the gameplay can be slow and tedious, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a significant strength, with many expressing a desire for further development and continuation of Abdullah's journey.
“What it lacks in gameplay, it makes up for with a genuine story.”
“The unique approach to telling a true story in the form of an RPG Maker game and video snippets made for a memorable story.”
“The fact that it's based on this guy's supposed true story made it compelling.”
“Too bad you have to go through a very slow and tedious gameplay in order to hear more story fragments.”
“Basing a game on a true story does not grant it immunity from criticism.”
“The story could certainly have been drawn out more, which in my opinion would give players more time to develop a connection with the character and become more sympathetic to him.”
- graphics24 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally praised for their charm and retro style, effectively complementing the autobiographical narrative. While some users noted issues like screen filling and lagging scroll, the overall art style is considered appealing and on par with other pixel graphic RPGs. The combination of cute visuals and poignant storytelling creates a unique emotional experience, despite some calls for graphical adjustments.
“The graphics are retro and charming, the music is catchy and the humor is witty and sarcastic.”
“Not only does it have an entrancing soundtrack and beautiful graphics, it tells a story everyone needs to hear.”
“The graphics are pretty good, on par with at least the majority of pixel graphic RPGs on the market.”
“Also, the scroll is lagging, and the graphics don't fill the whole screen.”
“It's told through an RPG graphics style that was made on RPG Maker.”
“Don't let those cartoon-style graphics fool you; this game can get very real very fast.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and ease of navigation, making it accessible but also criticized for being slow and tedious, particularly in relation to story progression. While the game effectively integrates narrative elements that enhance the experience, many players desire more engaging gameplay mechanics and variety, feeling that it currently resembles a short project rather than a fully developed game. Overall, the focus on storytelling is appreciated, but there is a call for improved gameplay depth in future iterations.
“Gameplay-wise, it's simple and easy to navigate with no complicated controller.”
“Filled with humor, interesting gameplay, and punctuated by occasional video commentary from the person who actually lived these experiences, the content connected with me in a way a news story or even a television interview couldn't.”
“The gameplay is relatively simple, but the story is powerful, and Abdullah was so brave to get out of Syria the way he did.”
“Too bad you have to go through a very slow and tedious gameplay in order to hear more story fragments.”
“Just wish that this was longer and had some more gameplay than just walking around, since at the moment it feels like more of a school project than a full game.”
“I strongly urge anyone who wants a fresh perspective to give this a try- it may not be that long or have that much gameplay to it, but it is clear that the people behind this game put in a lot of effort.”
- music13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchiness and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its entrancing quality and retro vibes. The soundtrack is described as amazing and integral to the storytelling, contributing to suspense and emotional depth. Overall, the music complements the game's graphics and narrative, creating a memorable experience for players.
“Not only does it have an entrancing soundtrack and beautiful graphics, it tells a story everyone needs to hear.”
“The soundtrack is great as well and I can't wait for the next chapter.”
“The music really made the suspense.”
“The atmosphere, music, and dialogues were very realistic and dramatic.”
“Everything is correct, the music, the graphics.”
- humor9 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its witty and sarcastic tone, effectively blending comedic elements with serious themes. Players appreciate the creative presentation that alternates between humor and poignant storytelling, often eliciting both laughter and emotional responses. The inclusion of funny gameplay mechanics and engaging video commentary enhances the overall experience, making it feel personal and relatable.
“The graphics are retro and charming, the music is catchy, and the humor is witty and sarcastic.”
“Very creative presentation - it alternates between being very funny and very, very serious, and it tells the creator's remarkable story while doing so.”
“The short little videos that appeared during some points in the game were a really nice touch, and I cracked up laughing during the camel jokes.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching and gripping true story, which resonates deeply with players, evoking feelings of empathy and connection. Users appreciate the raw and realistic portrayal of experiences, enhanced by an impressive soundtrack and immersive environment, making it a memorable and impactful journey despite its brevity. Overall, the game successfully elicits strong emotional responses, leaving players wanting more such experiences.
“Its very emotional and raw, because the story is real.”
“A touching true story.”
“It is short and simple made but takes you emotionally somewhere you don't be that often.”
- atmosphere5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Path Out" is widely praised for its creativity and emotional depth, with users highlighting the realistic music and dramatic dialogues that enhance the storytelling. However, some players suggest that there is room for improvement in establishing an even stronger atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully immerses players in its emotional narrative.
“This game is a really creative way to make the creators' story more relatable through building on emotions and atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, music, and dialogues were very realistic and dramatic.”
“Path Out is a very atmospheric game, and I enjoyed it.”
“One thing I would suggest you should work on is establishing a better atmosphere.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow and tedious, often feeling that it detracts from the overall experience, as it requires significant effort to unlock story fragments.
“Too bad you have to go through a very slow and tedious gameplay in order to hear more story fragments.”
“The grinding feels endless and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“I found myself spending hours on repetitive tasks just to progress, which became frustrating.”
