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.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game captures the essence of Homestuck with engaging writing, beautiful art, and a nostalgic soundtrack.
- Pesterquest provides deeper insights into beloved characters, allowing fans to reconnect with them in new ways.
- The humor and charm of the original webcomic are preserved, making it a delightful experience for long-time fans.
- Some routes feel rushed or poorly written, leading to inconsistencies in character portrayal.
- The game heavily relies on prior knowledge of Homestuck, making it difficult for newcomers to fully enjoy the experience.
- Certain character arcs, particularly Vriska's, have been criticized for being out of character or overly focused on fan service.
- story282 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Pesterquest" is a mixed bag, with many fans appreciating its character-driven narrative and nostalgic ties to the "Homestuck" universe, while others criticize its lack of coherence and depth. Some chapters shine with engaging plots and character exploration, but inconsistencies and a perceived reliance on fan service leave others feeling underwhelmed. Overall, it appeals primarily to dedicated "Homestuck" fans, offering a blend of humor, charm, and emotional moments, albeit with a somewhat convoluted and less serious approach to storytelling.
“I have been following these characters and their story since 2013 and I absolutely love this premise and the way it builds upon the characters.”
“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, and this is just the hundredth moment of the author using time travel and fourth wall magic to bypass a need for skilled writing.”
- humor150 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is a blend of clever, subtle wit and nostalgic references that resonate deeply with fans of Homestuck, often requiring a solid understanding of the original comic to fully appreciate. While many find the writing laugh-out-loud funny and emotionally engaging, some critiques point to moments of discomfort in the humor's political undertones and occasional inconsistencies. Overall, the game is celebrated for its charming dialogue and character-driven comedy, making it a delightful experience for those familiar with the Homestuck universe.
“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.”
“The stories are great and it's a blast to see where each line of dialogue is going to take you, and the humor is something that I've missed for such a long time.”
“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.”
- music144 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy and fitting tracks that enhance the overall experience. It effectively captures the nostalgic essence of the original Homestuck series while introducing new elements, making it a standout feature for fans. Despite a few less favored tracks, the soundtrack is generally described as stellar, adding depth to the characters and the narrative.
“The music is excellent, the art is beautiful, and the writing is witty as ever.”
“The soundtrack is catchy, and works great as both background noise and being a fitting character theme!”
“The music is one of my favorite parts, really adds to the experience.”
“There's too little Hussie and too little influence from the new writers, where the art and music team didn't pull any punches.”
“Cons: some of the meta felt a tad bit unnecessary, 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.”
“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.”
- graphics58 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the detailed backgrounds and character sprites, while others criticize the inconsistent art style that makes some characters appear jarringly different from one another. Many players appreciate the overall aesthetic and the integration of music with visuals, but some feel that the artwork lacks the polish expected from a professional project, likening it to fan-made content. Overall, while the visuals are a highlight for many, the inconsistency in character design detracts from the experience for others.
“I love the art style, and the level of detail in the backgrounds is also really neat.”
“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.”
“And that's not even to mention the adorable and amazing artwork, everything from the detailed backgrounds to the beautiful sprites, just [ok hand emoji].”
“The art style is inconsistent and some characters look way better than others, which is very jarring.”
“Some of these things, like the art style, would be fine if this was a fan project, but it's not.”
“The absolute division between art styles is uncanny and it hurts to look at; could have saved money too, for a less political game.”
- emotional52 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised, with many players expressing deep nostalgia and attachment to the characters, often leading to tears during gameplay. The writing is noted for its blend of humor and heartfelt moments, effectively tackling emotional topics, though some players felt certain narrative choices fell flat. Overall, the game is described as a cathartic experience that resonates strongly with fans of the original comic, making it a poignant addition to the Homestuck universe.
“Great game, Olive Garden route best route, 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 development20 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the varied character designs and the realization of their headcanons, while others criticize the lack of depth and abrupt endings in certain character routes. Notably, some characters, like Kanaya, are highlighted for their engaging design and plot integration, but overall, many feel that the development is either predictable or insufficient, leaving them wanting more. Despite these criticisms, there are hints of potential improvement in future content, suggesting that the narrative may evolve positively over time.
“The character designs are so varied; finally, all my headcanons have been realized.”
“The character designs are a delight to see, and it just feels good to play.”
“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.”
“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.”
“The first volumes are wrought with predictable character development and mediocre writing, but hints toward a future plot, overarching the next 13 weeks of content give me hope that it will improve.”
- gameplay16 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % 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, such as additional endings and improved in-game guidance. Overall, the experience is more about the narrative and character interactions than complex gameplay mechanics.
“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 about 3-4 endings per 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.”
“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.”
“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.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players express that grinding in the game can be excessively demanding, often requiring significant time investment or multiple playthroughs to achieve desired progress. This aspect can detract from the overall enjoyment, as it feels like a chore rather than a rewarding experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its catchy music and cohesive art style, which effectively captures the essence of the series while introducing fresh elements. Reviewers appreciate how the combination of music and visuals creates a familiar yet engaging environment.
“The music is super catchy and fits the atmosphere so well.”
“The art, music, and spritework feel in-character for the series, creating a familiar atmosphere that still manages to hit some new beats.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability due to its engaging social dynamics, diverse outcomes where not all characters can be saved, and a compelling soundtrack. Players appreciate that it doesn't rely solely on nostalgia, enhancing the overall experience with fresh elements in each playthrough.
“The replay value is impressive, as each playthrough offers new experiences and choices.”
“You can't save everybody, which adds a layer of complexity and encourages multiple runs to explore different outcomes.”
“The game does not rely solely on nostalgic feelings, making each replay feel fresh and engaging.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as feeling like a cash grab, leading to disappointment among users.
“The whole thing, in a way, feels a little bit like a cash grab, which is unfortunate.”
