Path Out

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.

90%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

grinding

94% User Score Based on 256 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

"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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 257 reviews

story46 positive mentions

grinding2 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and emotional storytelling experience, providing insight into the life of a Syrian refugee through personal commentary from the protagonist, Abdullah.
The graphics and music are well-executed, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the narrative.
Despite its short length, the game effectively raises awareness about the struggles faced by refugees, making it a thought-provoking experience.

The gameplay is simplistic and can feel slow, with limited interactivity and a lack of challenging mechanics.
Some players found the commentary from the protagonist to break immersion and detract from the overall experience.
The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more content and depth in the story.

story
176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
72%
2%
The game presents a poignant and immersive narrative based on the true story of Abdullah Karam, a young man fleeing the civil war in Syria. Players connect deeply with Abdullah's experiences through a combination of gameplay and his personal video commentaries, which add emotional depth and authenticity to the storytelling. While the gameplay may be slow and simplistic, the powerful message and unique presentation make it a compelling medium for sharing real-life stories of oppression and escape.
- “The unique approach to telling a true story in the form of an RPG Maker game and video snippets made for a memorable story.”
- “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 fact it is inspired by a true story, and that the author provides video comments on the situations you play, really help relate to the protagonist.”
- “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.”
- “It's the wrong medium for the story.”
graphics
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
48%
6%
The graphics in the game are described as charming and retro, with a cute art style that complements its serious autobiographical narrative. While many reviewers appreciate the detail and overall aesthetic, some note that adjustments are needed, particularly regarding screen filling and scrolling issues. Overall, the graphics are considered on par with other pixel art RPGs, effectively enhancing the storytelling experience.
- “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 scrolling 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.”
- “The graphics are quite cute, though, which makes it seem less terrible than the real-life events must have been.”
gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The gameplay is characterized as simple and easy to navigate, though it can be slow and tedious, often feeling more like a school project than a full game. While the mechanics are not particularly challenging and the graphics are basic, the powerful storytelling and unique narrative elements enhance the overall experience. Players express a desire for more engaging gameplay elements and smoother mechanics 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.”
- “Really if you want to create more game, please learn about storytelling and also gameplay, for example, go play 'To the Moon' and other games from the 'To the Moon' developer, or such other games which were made with RPG Maker.”
music
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
42%
12%
The music in the game is widely praised for its catchiness and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting its entrancing soundtrack and retro vibes. It effectively contributes to the game's suspense and emotional storytelling, making it a standout feature that complements the charming graphics and engaging commentary. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, leaving players eager for more.
- “Not only does it have an entrancing soundtrack and beautiful graphics, it tells a story everyone needs to hear.”
- “I really enjoyed this game; it has a very awesome environment and realistic one. The soundtrack is amazing, and the story is very touching.”
- “The music really made the suspense.”
- “The atmosphere, music, and dialogues were very realistic and dramatic.”
- “Everything is correct, the music, the graphics.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized as witty and sarcastic, effectively balancing comedic elements with serious themes. Players appreciate the creative presentation, which includes funny gameplay mechanics and engaging video commentary that enhances the storytelling experience. Overall, the humor resonates deeply, eliciting both laughter and emotional reflection throughout the gameplay.
- “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.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its deeply emotional and touching narrative, which resonates with players due to its real-life basis. Reviewers highlight the gripping and heart-breaking elements of the story, enhanced by an immersive environment and an impactful soundtrack. Overall, it offers a unique emotional experience that leaves a lasting impression, despite its brevity.
- “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.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The atmosphere in "Path Out" is widely praised for its emotional depth and realism, enhanced by impactful music and dialogues that effectively convey the creators' story. While many players enjoyed the immersive experience, some suggested improvements for an even stronger atmospheric presence. Overall, the game successfully creates a relatable and dramatic environment.
- “This game is a really creative way to make the creator's 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.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be slow and tedious, often feeling that the effort required to progress is not worth the reward of additional story content.
- “Too bad you have to go through a very slow and tedious gameplay in order to hear more story fragments.”

70%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Path Out Review
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.
Godisageek.com
70%

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