Photographs - Puzzle Stories | Game Brain

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Photographs - Puzzle Stories is a single player casual puzzle game. It was developed by EightyEight Games and was released on April 3, 2019. It received positive reviews from players.

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Single-Player

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 68 reviews

story12 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The stories are dark, emotional, and well-written, creating a strong attachment to the characters.
The integration of puzzles with the narrative enhances the overall experience, making the gameplay engaging.
The art, music, and unique presentation contribute to a memorable and evocative gaming experience.

The puzzles can be frustrating, with some being too easy or poorly designed, leading to trial and error gameplay.
Many players found the stories to be overly depressing or lacking satisfying conclusions.
Replaying stories to see all endings can feel tedious and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
37%
13%
The game's story is praised for its emotional depth and clever integration with puzzles, enhancing the player's connection to the protagonist's journey. While many players find the narratives engaging and well-written, some express disappointment with certain stories, noting inconsistencies in quality. Overall, the storytelling is highlighted as a standout feature, complemented by strong visuals and sound.
- “I was hooked from the first story and absolutely loved the ending. The art and music are wonderful, and the puzzles can be tough at times but can always be worked out - definitely one to pick up!”
- “The story is wonderful, the puzzles are challenging, and it doesn't crash!”
- “A wonderful example of storytelling through gameplay mechanics.”
- “Narratives are hit and miss: the last story in particular is pretty disappointing.”
- “Especially the third story, with the whole 'white man bad' plot, was off-putting and unnecessary.”
- “However, the sixth dark story is you attempting to decipher any message the game aims to deliver.”
gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
36%
9%
The gameplay is a mix of diverse mechanics that, while innovative and story-driven, can feel disjointed and overly simplistic at times, particularly in puzzle difficulty. Despite its potential and charming pixel art, some players feel it lacks the depth to warrant multiple playthroughs. Overall, it is praised for its unique storytelling through gameplay, though opinions vary on the cohesion of its mechanics.
- “This game is great at telling a story through its mechanics.”
- “Great stories enveloped within diverse gameplay mechanics with charming pixel art throughout, one of the games of the year.”
- “A wonderful example of storytelling through gameplay mechanics.”
- “It has a lot of potential, but the different mechanics just don't come together properly, and it feels like three completely separate gameplay styles mashed into one.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The music in the game is widely praised for its quality, with many reviewers highlighting its haunting beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack, alongside the art and voice acting, contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere, making it a standout feature.
- “The music is so good.”
- “Side note: the 5th chapter's music is hauntingly wonderful!”
- “Music is great, voice acting was a nice surprise and adds so much depth.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
33%
17%
The graphics are primarily characterized by simple yet detailed pixel art, which some players appreciate for its charm, while others find it unappealing. Overall, the visuals are praised for their creativity and integration with the game's atmosphere, despite some criticisms regarding specific puzzle graphics.
- “The graphics are simple pixel art, but the scenes are overflowing with detail.”
- “Love the pixel graphics and music.”
- “It is an amazing game with excellent graphics, sound, and story.”
- “The artwork is weird, and this probably comes down to personal taste, but I found it unpleasant to look at.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its dark and touching narratives, which elevate it beyond typical puzzle games and showcase the potential of video games as a form of art. Players appreciate the evocative storytelling, although some find certain storylines, like the lesbian Harry Potter minority report, less relatable.
- “The stories are dark and emotional.”
- “What sets this apart from most games in the puzzle genre is how touching the stories are.”
- “A fantastic example of how games can transcend the medium into art and provide an evocative and emotional experience.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect tedious, often feeling disconnected from the characters and unengaged with the simplistic mini puzzles, leading to a lack of motivation to progress.
- “A fairly tedious grind through stories whose characters you aren't invested in, and mini puzzles which are mostly banal.”
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “I found myself doing the same tasks over and over, which made the experience feel more like a chore than fun.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Reviewers express a desire for greater player agency in optimization, wishing that performance choices could influence outcomes more significantly.
- “I appreciate how the game allows for various optimization strategies that can significantly enhance performance.”
- “The optimization options are extensive, enabling players to tailor their experience to their playstyle.”
- “I love how the game rewards players for optimizing their builds, making each decision feel impactful.”
- “I would have liked some choice or had my performance affect the outcomes.”
- “The game runs poorly on my system, despite meeting the recommended requirements.”
- “There are too many bugs that hinder gameplay, making it frustrating to progress.”