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.
- It features well-developed characters and witty dialogue, providing a humorous yet thoughtful exploration of various philosophical arguments.
- The gameplay mechanics allow for dynamic debates, encouraging players to think critically and engage with different perspectives.
- Some players feel that the game oversimplifies complex philosophical concepts, potentially missing deeper nuances.
- There are criticisms regarding the representation of certain philosophers, with some feeling that their arguments are misrepresented or overly caricatured.
- The pacing and structure of the story can feel uneven at times, leading to moments of fatigue during gameplay.
- story26 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story of the game is engaging and educational, building on the foundation of its predecessor while introducing new characters and philosophical debates that enhance the narrative. It features a coherent plot with unexpected twists, character-driven motivations, and a blend of drama and humor, making it a worthy sequel that invites further exploration of its themes. While some players note pacing issues, the overall storytelling is ambitious and successfully intertwines philosophy with an entertaining narrative.
“The story itself is not at all basic; people are motivated by the world and what they've gone through, and it explores the worldbuilding they created with the whole talking to dead philosophers concept.”
“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, 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.”
- humor15 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is consistently praised as top-notch, blending clever writing with engaging dialogue that includes witty references and political satire. Players appreciate its ability to be both funny and educational, with humorous interactions among characters that tackle philosophical themes. Overall, the humor enhances the game's charm and makes it a delightful experience.
“The dialogue is hilarious and witty as always.”
“It's cute, it's funny, and it's a little educational.”
“The perfect blend of thought-provoking and funny.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Pro Philosopher 2: Government and Grievances" is a refined take on debate mechanics, allowing players to engage in philosophical arguments through a cross-examination style reminiscent of the Ace Attorney series. While it offers more freedom and fun twists compared to its predecessor, some players found the scripted nature and repetitive mechanics could lead to fatigue during extended play sessions. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging writing with thought-provoking gameplay, making it a standout experience for fans of philosophical discourse.
“From its overall fresh themes to some of its fun new twists and spins on its classic debate mechanics and encounters, 'Pro Philosopher 2: Government and Grievances' really builds on the foundations its predecessor made years before.”
“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.”
- music7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for being catchy and enjoyable, complementing the vibrant art style and humorous dialogue. Reviewers appreciate the developers' ability to maintain a consistent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The music is good, the sprite art is nice, and the game has its share of humor and references throughout.”
“The music and art are wonderful, and the story has got some teeth that you might not expect on the way in.”
“The song is freakin' catchy.”
“Add to that some seriously great art/style updates and--dare I say--a catchy soundtrack, and you've got a fine second installment in the series.”
“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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional depth of the game, particularly in the relationship between Ariadne and her mother Pythia, is praised for its nuance and impact, effectively addressing themes relevant to the current political climate. However, some characters, like Machiavelli, are viewed as less developed, falling into familiar stereotypes. Overall, the game delivers powerful emotional moments that resonate with players and encourage deeper philosophical exploration.
“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 character development in the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the impressive character designs, intricate animation details, and engaging gameplay that collectively enhance the overall experience.
“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.”
