Pro Philosopher 2: Governments & Grievances
- October 8, 2024
- Intelligible Games
Get on Steam"Pro Philosopher 2: Governments & Grievances" is an interactive debate game, following the protagonist Ariadne Jones as she confronts political philosophers in a strange afterlife. Players must engage in logical reasoning and puzzle-solving to reveal contradictions in arguments, while navigating Ariadne's efforts to understand her estranged mother's presence in this realm. With a focus on political philosophy, the game aims to deliver thought-provoking discussions in a humorous and dramatic package.
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Reviews
- The game offers a fun and engaging way to learn about political philosophy, making complex ideas accessible and entertaining.
- The humor, character writing, and art style are charming, creating a delightful experience for players.
- It successfully combines elements of the Ace Attorney formula with philosophical debates, allowing for a unique gameplay experience that encourages critical thinking.
- Some players feel the game oversimplifies complex philosophical arguments, which may detract from the depth of the subject matter.
- The pacing and structure of the story can feel off at times, leading to moments of fatigue during gameplay.
- Expectations play a significant role in enjoyment; those looking for a serious philosophical treatise may be disappointed by the whimsical premise.
- story25 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is a compelling blend of political philosophy and character-driven narratives, exploring themes of social progressivism through engaging debates and unexpected plot twists. While it builds on the foundation of its predecessor, it introduces new characters and deeper worldbuilding, making for a memorable and thought-provoking experience. Despite some pacing issues, the narrative remains coherent and sincere, offering both entertainment and educational value.
“It's educational and a fantastic and fun story.”
“The whole story of a secret project meant to bring philosophy to all, culminating in an attempted military coup, was amazing.”
“It tells a fully realized short story, with twists and turns and character drama and comedy, all while wrapping it up in a meaningfully-conveyed stance on political philosophy.”
“The pacing of the story seems a bit off to me, being a bit jarring.”
“While it isn't necessary, I strongly recommend playing the first game before the sequel since the overall plot is a direct consequence of what happened in the first!”
“I mentioned in my review of sj:pp wanting more of Socrates and Ariadne's story, and despite Socrates falling into side character status, the devs were not afraid to deliver.”
- gameplay13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The gameplay is centered around engaging in philosophical debates, utilizing logic to counter arguments in a manner reminiscent of Ace Attorney's cross-examination mechanics. While players appreciate the thought-provoking nature and freedom of choices, some feel the scripted paths can lead to fatigue, especially when exploring all dialogue options. Overall, the combination of solid writing and character design enhances the experience, making it a standout title for fans of philosophical discourse.
“From the character designs to the little animation details to the fun, thought-provoking gameplay, this game is one of the best I've played in years.”
“In terms of gameplay, it's Ace Attorney-style cross-examination of notable philosophical arguments.”
“The gameplay was also engaging, much like the last game, but this time it gives you a lot more freedom.”
“Sure it's easy and fun to debate people with outdated ideas, but when you debate against something so detached from reality as some of those presented here, you can just toss the wrench anywhere in their argument and call it a day because it will collapse no matter what you do. This makes the gameplay itself a lot harder; I got lost in so many options that I could toss there, but the game is scripted in one specific path.”
“I wish the sequel could have developed the original game's mechanics a bit more. I powered through in a single session and got pretty fatigued with the gameplay by the end, with my innate desire to always use all three press buttons to see all the dialogue, which is probably my own fault to be fair.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's basically Ace Attorney cross-examinations, but with philosophical arguments instead of witness testimonies, and on the easier side.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is widely praised for its clever writing, witty dialogue, and engaging references, making it both entertaining and educational. Reviewers appreciate its blend of political nuance and philosophical exploration, often comparing it favorably to the Ace Attorney series. Overall, the humor is described as charming, thought-provoking, and consistently funny, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“The dialogue is hilarious and witty as always.”
“The perfect blend of thought-provoking and funny.”
“It's not only funny and charming, but also really educational and fun.”
- music5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and ability to remain engaging despite being repetitive, complementing the fun sprite art and humorous dialogue. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the game's enjoyable atmosphere and contributes significantly to the overall experience.
“The music is great, the art is so fun, and the dialogue is hilarious.”
“The music and art are wonderful, and the story has got some teeth that you might not expect on the way in.”
“And I must give a lot of credit to the game developers for the fact that they managed to play the same song straight, again, and make it work.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, failing to enhance the gaming experience.”
“While the sound effects are decent, the overall music composition feels generic and doesn't stand out.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively delivers emotional depth, particularly in the relationship between Ariadne and her mother, Pythia, and addresses contemporary political issues with nuance. However, some characters, like Machiavelli, are perceived as one-dimensional compared to the more complex emotional narratives. Overall, players find the emotional impact to be profound and thought-provoking, encouraging further exploration of philosophical themes.
“The emotional beats concerning Ariadne and her mother Pythia, the woes of the current political climate, etcetera, were shockingly well done.”
“For a game that made great strides in being more nuanced and having emotional depth, particularly with Ari and her mother, Machiavelli felt like the usual caricature that is predominant today in this game.”
“An emotional gut punch that exposes people to an amazing thinker. Anyone reading this should read Fanon's 'Black Skin, White Masks' immediately as it is masterful.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game excels in character development through its detailed designs and animations, enhancing the overall gameplay experience and making it one of the standout titles in recent years.
“From the character designs to the little animation details to the fun, thought-provoking gameplay, this game is one of the best I've played in years.”
