Playing Kafka

About

"Playing Kafka" is a narrative-driven adventure game based on the works of Franz Kafka. You'll navigate an unfair trial, grapple with unclear rules and family issues, and explore atmospheric puzzles in this fully-voiced, branching story. With only 1.5 hours of playtime, can you escape the crushing presence of your father and discover the truth in this Kafkaesque world?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 170 reviews

story8 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Playing Kafka offers a beautifully crafted narrative experience with captivating voiceovers and an exceptional art style that immerses players in Kafka's surreal world.
The game serves as a great introduction to Kafka's works, making it accessible for those unfamiliar with his literature while still providing depth for fans.
As a free game, it delivers a compact yet impactful experience, allowing players to engage with Kafka's themes of absurdity and existentialism in a unique interactive format.

The gameplay is quite simplistic and linear, with minimal interactivity and decision-making, which may leave some players wanting more complexity.
Players unfamiliar with Kafka's works may find the stories confusing and lacking context, potentially diminishing their overall experience.
There are reports of bugs and clunky controls that can disrupt the flow of the game, detracting from the otherwise immersive experience.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
74%
7%
The story of "Playing Kafka" is praised for its engaging narrative and captivating voiceovers, effectively conveying the essence of Kafka's works in a simplified format. While the gameplay is minimal and the puzzles are easy, the experience is described as relaxing and atmospheric, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a laid-back storytelling experience. However, some reviewers noted that the story can feel short and lacks depth in certain areas, with limited impact from player choices.
- “Playing Kafka is an exceptional narrative experience that stands out for its lovely story and captivating voiceovers.”
- “Just like the original Kafka novels, the story and atmosphere weigh heavily on your shoulders even after finishing the game.”
- “While reading some of his books, I could see myself resembling some of the characters, but now I'm able to be in the shoes of one character myself by making choices in order to continue the plot and, at the end, see the consequences of my own actions.”
- “The puzzles are quite simple and the decisions have minimal impact on the story, which makes the game relaxing and less stressful.”
- “It is a very simplified story and the gameplay is only about clicking.”
- “The 'puzzles' are not very hard (they give you some hints even), and the options you choose in dialogues and such won't change the storyline much.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
The gameplay is primarily designed to convey Kafka's stories rather than showcase complex mechanics, featuring intuitive controls and an interesting, albeit initially confusing, approach to moving objects. While it lacks extensive game mechanics, the integration of art, music, and narrative elements creates a captivating atmosphere that appeals to fans of Kafka and indie games alike. Overall, it offers a unique experience that is both engaging and accessible.
- “Interesting gameplay and a fun way to get to know the not-so-fun stories of three of Kafka's books.”
- “The game mechanics of moving things around are quite interesting and fitting for a retelling of Kafka's works.”
- “Gameplay is intuitive and the stories are quite straightforward; I don't think there are many opportunities to get stuck.”
- “The gameplay serves primarily as a vessel to tell the story, so don’t expect complex controls or flashy abilities.”
- “The game mechanics are unusual and a little confusing at first, but didn't really bother me further.”
- “There are not many game mechanics as such, but the stories chosen to be told, the art style, the ambient music, and even the little visual easter eggs are definitely worth your time.”
atmosphere
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
17%
17%
The game excels in creating a captivating atmosphere through its exceptional art style, immersive audio, and strong voice acting, particularly highlighted in the second episode, "The Letter." Players appreciate the dreamlike quality that echoes Kafka's work, with a rich narrative that leaves a lasting impact. While the experience is described as short, there is a desire for deeper exploration of its atmospheric world, enhanced by an outstanding soundtrack that is best enjoyed with headphones.
- “Just like the original Kafka novels, the story and atmosphere weigh heavily on your shoulders even after finishing the game.”
- “The art style is exceptional and captures the eerie and introspective nature of Kafka’s work with striking visuals that enhance the game's dreamlike atmosphere.”
- “Amazing soundtrack that brings the game's atmosphere to another level, so definitely play with headphones.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
22%
11%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the immersive atmosphere, particularly in the second episode, "The Letter," where the father's voice plays a pivotal role. Reviewers commend the phenomenal voice acting and captivating soundtrack, describing it as addictive and integral to the overall experience. Many recommend playing with headphones to fully appreciate the audio elements that contribute to the game's unique vibe.
- “The game offers a unique visual and audio experience with a captivating atmosphere supported by good music and voice recordings, especially in the second episode 'The Letter', in which the father's voice plays a central role.”
- “Amazing soundtrack that brings the game's atmosphere to another level, so definitely play with headphones.”
- “A super addictive game, 100% cool music, great voices; you can see that they worked on it with pleasure, I recommend it with confidence!”
- “The music, the structure, and the game mechanics created a wonderful atmosphere.”
- “There are not many game mechanics as such, but the stories chosen to be told, the art style, the ambient music, and even the little visual easter eggs are definitely worth your time.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their exceptional art style, which effectively captures the eerie and introspective essence of Kafka's work, enhancing the dreamlike atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the beautiful visuals, ambient music, and thoughtful storytelling, noting that these elements contribute significantly to the overall experience, despite the limited game mechanics. The combination of striking visuals and great voice acting creates a captivating mood that resonates with players.
- “The art style is exceptional and captures the eerie and introspective nature of Kafka’s work with striking visuals that enhance the game's dreamlike atmosphere.”
- “Beautiful graphics and great voice actors.”
- “A great (albeit short) narrative game with an awesome atmosphere, graphics, and voiceovers.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
The game offers limited replayability, primarily due to the presence of some branching paths that encourage players to explore different outcomes. However, the overall impact on replay value appears to be modest.
- “There are some branching paths for a little replayability.”
- “The game offers a few branching paths, but overall, the replayability feels limited.”
- “While there are some branching paths, they don't significantly enhance the replayability.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the frequent autosaves, which alleviate the frustration of grinding by minimizing the impact of crashes or the need to restart sections, making the overall experience less tedious.
- “There are frequent autosaves, so crashing or having to restart a part isn't too tedious.”