Pesterquest
- September 4, 2019
- What Pumpkin Games, Inc.
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Pesterquest" is a single-player comedy role-playing game with a compelling story and masterful graphics. Experience 14 volumes of idiosyncratic adventure, zapping between Earth and Alternia, and reconnect with up to 20 friends in the darkly funny Homestuck/Hiveswap universe. This visual novel includes an exceptional soundtrack and continues the friend-finding escapades of Homestuck's beloved characters in all-new stories.
Reviews
- The game captures the essence of Homestuck with its humor, character depth, and engaging storytelling.
- The art and music are beautifully done, enhancing the overall experience.
- It's a nostalgic return to beloved characters, providing new insights and interactions.
- Some routes feel rushed or poorly written, leading to inconsistencies in character portrayal.
- The game may be confusing for those unfamiliar with the Homestuck universe, as it heavily relies on prior knowledge.
- Certain characters' routes, like Vriska's, have been criticized for being out of character or overly focused on fan service.
- story141 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Pesterquest" is a continuation of the beloved "Homestuck" universe, featuring engaging character arcs and a mix of humor and nostalgia that resonates with long-time fans. While some chapters are praised for their depth and charm, others are criticized for inconsistency and a lack of substantial plot development, leading to a somewhat uneven experience. Overall, it serves as a fun, character-driven visual novel that appeals primarily to those familiar with the original material, though it may leave some players wanting more coherence and innovation in its storytelling.
“I loved the story and all of the endings!!”
“Pesterquest succeeds, for the most part, at continuing the homestuck story in a new medium.”
“The story, the art, the style, and especially the music: from start to end, nothing but a perfect experience.”
“You just read a bizarre story that doesn't make any sense and doesn't even offer very much player choice.”
“There's little consistency in storytelling between chapters, let alone within Homestuck's actual lore.”
“It is just impossible to be even remotely immersed in these situations when they are blatantly contradictory of how the actual Homestuck story plays out.”
- humor75 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is a blend of clever, witty dialogue and subtle references that resonate deeply with fans of Homestuck, often requiring prior knowledge of the comic to fully appreciate. While many find the writing laugh-out-loud funny and emotionally engaging, some critiques point to inconsistencies and a shift towards uncomfortable political themes in the humor. Overall, the game successfully captures the quirky charm and comedic essence of its predecessor, making it a delightful experience for dedicated fans.
“The writing is brilliant: laugh-out-loud funny, extremely smart and thought-provoking, and the characters are emotionally fascinating.”
“Witty humor, great characters, absolutely lovely art all around, wonderful music, amazing storytelling, this team knows what they're doing and doing it well.”
“Hilarious and heartfelt with great art and music, highly recommended.”
“Jesus, this absolute garbage is infuriating with how aggressively unfunny it is.”
“All of the narration just sounds like really unfunny Twitter posts strung together to create a story.”
- music72 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchiness and how well it complements the characters and overall atmosphere. Fans of the original Homestuck series find the soundtrack nostalgic and fitting, enhancing the experience with both new and familiar tracks. While some tracks may not resonate with every player, the general consensus is that the music is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
“The music is also incredible, the tracks are perfect for the characters.”
“The soundtrack is catchy, and works great as both background noise and as fitting character themes!”
“The music is excellent, the art is beautiful, and the writing is witty as ever.”
“There's too little Hussie and too little influence from the new writers, where the art and music team didn't pull any punches.”
“The soundtrack will drag you to the back of the parking lot by your hair and slit your throat approximately three times, no warning for Homestuck epilogue spoilers anywhere to be seen.”
“While the music isn't anything groundbreaking, it's definitely a trip on nostalgia which is a welcome punch in the chest.”
- graphics29 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the art style, detailed backgrounds, and character sprites as visually appealing and well-executed. However, many users criticize the inconsistency in character designs, describing it as jarring and amateurish, which detracts from the overall experience. While some find the visuals to be a highlight, others feel they fall short of expectations, likening the game to fan projects rather than a polished title.
“The visuals and music blow it out of the water, and the clever writing has multiple times made me laugh, cry, and appreciate everything that's come so far.”
“I love the art style, and the level of detail in the backgrounds is also really neat.”
“Absolutely incredible humor and artwork from the team.”
“The art style is inconsistent, and some characters look way better than others, which is very jarring.”
“The absolute division between art styles is uncanny and it hurts to look at; they could have saved money for a less political game.”
“This thing stomps all over any sort of characterization the original characters have; it's an absolute disgrace, nothing more than fanfiction with pretty graphics.”
- emotional26 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often citing moments that made them cry and feel nostalgic, particularly for characters from the original webcomic. The writing is praised for its blend of humor and heartfelt moments, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that resonates with fans, though some feel that certain emotional swings miss the mark. Overall, the game is seen as a poignant and cathartic experience for those familiar with the franchise, offering both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.
“Great game, the Olive Garden route is the best route; it made me cry a few times.”
“I cried; this is a beautiful game.”
“I am emotionally invested in this hellish franchise, and this game gave me so many emotionally charged internal screaming moments that I feel I might need to have a stiff drink and a lie down.”
- character development10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag, with some players praising the varied and delightful character designs that bring their headcanons to life, while others express disappointment in the lack of depth and abrupt endings for certain character arcs. While some routes, like Kanaya's, are highlighted for their engaging design and plot, others suffer from predictable development and a lack of meaningful progression. Overall, the potential for improvement is noted, but current execution leaves some players wanting more.
“The character designs are so varied; finally, all my headcanons have been realized.”
“Kanaya is probably one of the routes that brought me the most joy, mostly based on her incredible character design and illustration, and plot-wise, Jade's route made me enjoy her character a lot more than I did while reading.”
“6 years of character development done in 8 hours.”
“There was practically no interest in her character, and the route ends abruptly and without character development - which sucks, because that's meant to be this game's forte.”
“It's just... boring, absolutely nothing happens, no wacky alt timelines, no rushed character development, not even anything offensively bad or really dumb.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is straightforward and primarily revolves around making connections with characters, reflecting the visual novel format. While some players appreciate the simplicity and focus on storytelling, others feel that the mechanics could benefit from more depth and variety. Overall, the experience is more about engaging with the narrative and characters than complex gameplay elements.
“The gameplay is simple since it is made in Ren'Py; however, since it's Homestuck we are talking about (and since this is a visual novel), the story and the characters are what matter in this type of game.”
“You know, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there's a sort of simple wonder to this game's core gameplay: teleporting around making and connecting friends.”
“This game is made for a certain audience, but I feel this game has writing that we take for granted because this series has had great writing and presented itself in a way that respects your intelligence. The stakes are always present; it's a mix between the real and the fiction, so the characters feel real. While you only have 3-4 endings with a character, it's not really about the gameplay but rather the story you somewhat participate in, which has always been the aim of simulators like these.”
“Gameplay 3/5 - mostly go with your gut and then reload storytelling; at no point did I feel like memorization or prior knowledge of these characters helped with their route.”
“And I'm not a huge fan of the overarching 'plot,' especially where it interferes with the basic gameplay of 'make friends!!!!'”
“Improvements I'd love to see are more variety in background art, more than one song per act, an actual reason to come back for more, and more in-game help on how the game actually works, both gameplay and story structure-wise.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious, often requiring players to invest significant time and effort, likening it to needing a second life to manage the repetitive tasks. Additionally, some players feel that the narrative elements are disrupted by this grinding, detracting from the overall experience.
“Grinding in this game is rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
“The grind is challenging but ultimately satisfying.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding feels like a never-ending chore that detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“The repetitive nature of grinding makes it feel more like a job than a fun gaming experience.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is enhanced by catchy music that complements the art and spritework, creating a familiar yet fresh experience that resonates well with the series' character.
“The music is super catchy and fits the atmosphere so well.”
“The art, music, and sprite work feel in-character for the series, creating a familiar atmosphere that still manages to hit some new beats.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I expected.”
“Despite the potential, the game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving me feeling disconnected from the world.”
“The overall ambiance is dull and lifeless, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability due to its engaging social dynamics, diverse outcomes, and a compelling soundtrack, while also providing a thoughtful approach to trigger warnings. Players appreciate that it allows for different experiences, including the ability to save or not save characters, enhancing its replay value beyond mere nostalgia.
“The replay value is fantastic, as every playthrough offers new experiences and choices.”
“You can't save everybody, which adds a layer of depth and encourages multiple runs to explore different outcomes.”
“The game does not rely solely on nostalgic feels, making each replay feel fresh and engaging.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Many users perceive the monetization strategy as a cash grab, leading to disappointment with the game's approach to generating revenue.
“The whole thing, in a way, feels a little bit like a cash grab, which is unfortunate.”
