Project Absentia

80%
Game Brain Score Based on 33 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Project Absentia Game Cover
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"Project Absentia" is a narrative-driven, psychological horror game that follows the story of a detective investigating a series of mysterious disappearances in a small town. The game features a unique art style and immersive environment, with gameplay that combines puzzle-solving and exploration. As the detective, players will uncover disturbing secrets and confront their own fears while attempting to solve the case.

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Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
  • The game features fast-paced, addictive gameplay with excellent movement mechanics, allowing players to glide and jump high, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The weapon variety is impressive, with unique mechanics that encourage players to switch between different types of guns, each with satisfying alternate fire options.
  • The art style and character design are charming, reminiscent of early 2000s internet culture, and the voice acting adds personality to the characters.
  • The story and dialogue can feel juvenile and lack depth, with some characters coming off as annoying or unlikable.
  • Certain weapons, like the double-barreled shotgun, may not fit well with the game's fast-paced combat style, making them less effective.
  • Some players may find the levels and overall presentation simplistic or rough around the edges, which could detract from the experience.
  • story16 mentions

    The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging narrative, strong female protagonist, and effective voice acting that enhances character development and humor. However, others criticize the plot for being underwhelming and lacking emotional depth, describing it as petty and insignificant, with room for improvement. Overall, while the story may not resonate with everyone, it is complemented by solid gameplay mechanics that some players find worth tolerating.

    • “An involved story (what more of these retro-style FPSs need) including voice acting.”
    • “Features an interesting story I could most definitely get behind, an awesome female protagonist with dialogue about her surroundings and the enemies she faces that builds her already soaring character, a very silly art style that all collectively fits very well when mashed up with the game and characters, and has voice actors that play their role extremely well, even all the way up to the enemies who call the protagonist expletives that I find hilarious.”
    • “I easily recommend this game to anyone who wants some challenge and adrenaline-pumping gameplay with well-written characters and an engaging story between chapters in episode 1!”
    • “It tries to be emotional at a few points, but it falls flat because I barely know anyone in this story.”
    • “I don't intend on spoiling, but even if I did, you'd still be unimpressed because of how insignificant the story is. The gist is this: bad guys called Orkancorp bust into Absentia's dorm and kidnap her friends because they're petty.”
    • “In conclusion, gameplay is good, but the story is bad.”
  • gameplay16 mentions

    The gameplay is highly praised for its fast-paced, addictive mechanics, featuring unique weapon systems and smooth, agile movement that enhances the overall experience. Players enjoy the verticality of combat and the distinctiveness of the weapons, making for a fun and engaging experience despite some criticisms of the story. Overall, the gameplay stands out as a solid and enjoyable aspect of the game, reminiscent of classic shooters.

    • “Gameplay is rock solid; you run like a freight train, have a wicked vertical jump, and an arsenal of explosives.”
    • “The fast-paced gameplay is addictive and very satisfying: the agility of the player movement, the verticality of the combat, and the arenas are super fun.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, the weapons are distinct and satisfying to use, and the movement is smooth and fast.”
    • “Buy this game if you're willing to tolerate the story for its gameplay.”
    • “Story is a little silly and the whole affair feels like an early 2000's forum chat inside-joke fest, but the mechanics are incredibly solid and the gameplay is ludicrously fun.”
    • “It doesn't lean on the novelty kitsch of that concept either, the gameplay is a total headrush and would feel amazing if all the enemies were grey boxes and the guns were missing textures.”
  • graphics9 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a distinctive art style that sets it apart from typical low-poly shooters, evoking a nostalgic, over-the-top flash cartoon aesthetic. While some users note that the visuals can be rough around the edges, they appreciate the vibrant colors and unique design choices that contribute to the game's charm and overall appeal. The combination of engaging character designs and a playful tone enhances the experience, making it feel like a blend of various inspirations that resonate with players.

    • “It helps it to stand out against the sea of 'just another low poly shooter' with its art style and use of color.”
    • “The movement feels great (the character has wings so you can sort of fly when you jump), love the art style and level design.”
    • “The art style and tone are very charming.”
    • “Aesthetic feels like playing through an old over-the-top flash cartoon.”
    • “The art style looks like it straight out of deviant art, and graphically the game is rough around the edges and you simply can't escape the fact that it was made in a game maker, but there are some unique ideas here, I dig them.”
    • “The art style looks like it straight out of deviant art, and graphically the game is rough around the edges and you simply can't escape the fact that it was made in a game maker, but there are some unique ideas here, I dig them.”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise, with many users highlighting the superb and spectacular soundtrack. While some find the sound effects and music to be good but not particularly remarkable, the overall sound design and voice acting are consistently noted as solid.

    • “The music is superb; I adore the soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is spectacular.”
    • “Music's good, sound design is solid, and the voice acting's good across the board.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by clever one-liners from the protagonist that strike a balance between being funny and not overbearing, complemented by a cartoonish yet gruesome style. The dialogue enhances the story and character development, particularly for the female lead, while the silly art style and well-cast voice actors contribute to the overall comedic experience, including amusing interactions with enemies.

    • “The protagonist has one-liners that can be funny and don't get annoying.”
    • “It has that style where it is not only funny and cartoon-like, but also has a kind of gruesome edge.”
    • “Features an interesting story I could definitely get behind, an awesome female protagonist with dialogue about her surroundings and the enemies she faces that builds her already soaring character, a very silly art style that fits well with the game and characters, and voice actors who play their roles extremely well, even the enemies who call the protagonist expletives that I find hilarious.”
  • character development1 mentions

    While the game's art may lack detail, the unique character designs contribute positively to character development, allowing players to connect with the characters despite the simplistic visuals.

    • “The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game; their growth feels organic and impactful, making every decision feel significant.”
    • “Each character has a rich backstory that adds layers to their personality, making the journey of understanding them truly rewarding.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by surprisingly strong voice acting, particularly from Dr. Atmosphere, whose performance stands out, while Abby's enjoyable one-liners contribute to a lively and engaging environment.

    • “The voice acting is surprisingly good, with Dr. Atmosphere delivering the best performance, and Abby being enjoyable with her one-liners and fun personality.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The game attempts to evoke emotional responses at certain moments, but many players feel it falls short due to a lack of connection with the characters and story.

  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the villain Phoenix is praised for delivering impressive performance that aligns well with the character's portrayal, indicating a strong execution in this aspect.

    • “The villain Phoenix, for example, showcases excellent performance for the type of character they are portrayed as.”
    • “The optimization in this game allows for smooth gameplay even in the most intense scenarios.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the mechanics to ensure a seamless experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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